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Work crews are trying to repair a pipeline that has spilled more than 250,000 gallons of gasoline in a rural area near Birmingham. Colonial Pipeline says most of the gas is contained in a retention pond near the city of Helena, and there's no public safety concern. (Photo: Colonial Pipeline, via ABC3340.com)
Work crews are trying to repair a pipeline that has spilled more than 250,000 gallons of gasoline in a rural area near Birmingham. Colonial Pipeline says most of the gas is contained in a retention pond near the city of Helena, and there’s no public safety concern. (Photo: Colonial Pipeline, via ABC3340.com)

HELENA, Ala. (AP) – Work crews are trying to repair a pipeline that has spilled more than 250,000 gallons of gasoline in a rural area near Birmingham.
Colonial Pipeline says most of the gas is contained in a retention pond near the city of Helena, and there’s no public safety concern.

But while workers have sealed the leaking part of the pipeline, a spokesman says there’s a possibility some fuel could still be released. Crews are both removing spilled gas and working to fix the pipeline.

Thursday, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley declared a State of Emergency to ease federal regulations and help speed up delivery of gasoline throughout the state.  It also warns gas stations not to price gouge consumers during this declared State of Emergency.

The spill was first detected on Sept. 9, but it’s unclear exactly when it first occurred. State and federal environmental officials are on the scene.
Colonial is based in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta. It operates about 5,500 miles of pipeline from Houston to New York City.