County says closed California fuel line should be back up in ‘12-24 hours’
One of two fuel pipelines that connect the Las Vegas Valley to a major oil refinery in Southern California closed Wednesday because of power outages related to fires in the Los Angeles area.
The news of the closure caused motorists to flock to gas stations in the Las Vegas Valley, creating lines.
The shutdown involves Kinder Morgan Inc.’s SFPP West and 566-mile CalNev pipeline system, which ships gasoline, diesel and jet fuel from Los Angeles refineries and marine terminals through 14-inch and 8-inch diameter pipelines that originate in Colton, California, and stretch to terminals in Barstow, California, and Las Vegas.
LVMPD is taking proactive steps to ensure we remain prepared to serve our community effectively. As part of these precautions, we are fueling our vehicles due to a temporary fuel pipeline interruption linked to the California fires.
We want to reassure you that there… pic.twitter.com/3ufjKSFwkh
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) January 10, 2025
Clark County announced Thursday night that fuel from the pipeline will starting flowing again into the valley “in the next 12-24 hours.”
County officials advised the public to “not panic buy at the pump.”
Earlier Thursday afternoon, officials said that Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office was working on the matter.
“Clark County Emergency Management continues to partner with Governor Lombardo and our regional partners to manage a dynamic situation as it relates to the potential impact to fuel supply in our region. The public should be aware that there are two pipelines fueling the valley, and this should help to alleviate any concerns or panic about current fuel supply. We continue to work to try to prevent the situation from escalating,” Clark County spokeswoman Jennifer Cooper said in a statement.
The city of Las Vegas posted on Instagram that, out of an abundance of caution, it is advising residents to reconsider heavy driving while the pipeline is potentially disrupted. A post on X by the Metropolitan Police Department advised motorists not to panic about the gas situation.
“We encourage everyone to stay informed through reliable sources and avoid unnecessary panic or misinformation,” the post said. “Together, we can ensure our community remains calm and prepared.”
Reiterating Metro’s plea, Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft urged the public not to rush out to the pumps and fill up their tanks out of fear.
“Clark County is well-versed in these types of events, we prepare for them and train for them, and our teams are actively working the situation,” Naft told the Review-Journal. “Panic buying doesn’t help the community; it just may negatively impact the price of gas, and it doesn’t help your neighbors.”
Clark County’s emergency vehicles are taken care of on fuel, Naft said, and there are measures in place to ensure they will continue to be if the pipeline shutdown drags on.
With Harry Reid International Airport also relying on the pipeline for jet fuel, Naft said even with the 2025 CES trade show slated to end on Friday, flight operations will not be impacted.
“Our Department of Aviation is at the table and on the emergency calls related to the event,” Naft said. “They’ve made necessary plans, as well. So it is not a concern of mine at this moment.”
Naft also urged Southern Nevada residents to stay up to date on latest happening with the pipeline shut down, via the county’s website and social media outlet and from trusted local media outlets.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said that since the pipeline shut down only recently, there isn’t reason to worry about the gasoline supply in Las Vegas. If needed, measures could be taken to truck fuel into the Las Vegas Valley, should the pipeline be closed for an extended period of time.
“I have a very low level of concern,” De Haan told the Review-Journal on Thursday evening. “Typically, these problems relieve themselves fairly quickly. We are monitoring the situation, but there is no reason to be concerned, at this moment.”
AAA of Southern Nevada spokesman John Treanor said in an email Thursday that they were looking into the pipeline closure and that they would have something to share on the situation on Friday.
In February 2023, the pipeline was closed for about a week after 205 gallons of gas leaked from the above-ground pipeline. The leak was detected at a pumping station in Long Beach, California. Lombardo declared a state of emergency at the time, advising motorists not to panic, but some motorists rushed to area gas stations to fill up, causing long lines at many retail locations.
Gas prices trending down a bit
The average price in Las Vegas for regular gas was $3.614 a gallon on Thursday, according to AAA.com. A month ago, the average was $3.639.
The lowest reported price in the valley Thursday afternoon was $2.63 at QuikTrip at 5625 N. Lamb Blvd., according to gasbuddy.com.
Several gas stations, including a few in Centennial Hills and Summerlin, were seeing brisk business as the word of the pipeline closure spread.
In Summerlin. a gas line was forming at Fabulous Freddy’s on Charleston Boulevard, with customers saying word of the pipeline closure was a reason to fill up. There was a long line for gas at Costco Wholesale at 801 S. Pavilion Center Drive.
Also, there was a long gas line at the Costco store on Sunset Road in Henderson.
Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com.
