(Columbia) September 1, 2005 - Governor Mark Sanford says South Carolinians should be conservative in their gas usage for the next two weeks while work is being done to return the flow to two major fuel pipelines damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

"The one thing I say to the consumers out there is we need to guard against going out and filling up every 10 gallon jug with gas, diesel fuel. Because from a market standpoint, it exacerbates the problem," said Sanford.

The pipelines that bring fuel to several Southeast states have been shut down in the aftermath of the hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast early Monday morning.

Sims Floyd Junior of the South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association says the pipelines that supply gas to distributors in most of South Carolina are back running, but only at about a quarter of their capacity.

Floyd says that means the supply of gas currently at stations may have to last at least until after Labor Day. Floyd says the Petroleum Marketers Association is recommending stations limit people to $30 worth or ten gallons of gas at each purchase.

The state also has asked for federal waivers of regulations involving how long fuel tank drivers can be on the road and how much trucks can weigh to help get more gas into South Carolina.

Columbia leaders are responding to the supply disruption with a plan to help the city conserve gas, oil and diesel. The plan gives priority to police, fire and emergency vehicles. But even those will have to use less when possible.

Police, for example, will have to forgo the practice of letting their cars idle while they fill out paperwork. And the city manager says no more using city vehicles to go to the store or out to lunch.

Other restrictions go into effect for use of non-emergency vehicles. Garbage trucks will continue to roll, on an altered schedule. Still, the mayor says, we should not complain, "Whatever inconvenience we have here in Columbia or in the southeast, it is minor. It's inconsequential compared to what is occurring in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama."

One more casualty of the fuel crisis is the city trolley system. After Thursday night's football game, the trolleys will be parked for at least the next few days.

Attorney General Henry McMaster says that any criminal activity surrounding the current gas shortage will be prosecuted by his office to the fullest extent of the law. McMaster also urged citizens to report any suspected illegal activity to a special e-mail address: GasShortage@scattorneygeneral.com

"If credible evidence of criminal conduct exists, this office will take action and prosecute it to the fullest extent of the law," said McMaster. "So far we have no evidence that any willful criminal conduct has taken place in regards to the gas shortage, but that could change."

McMaster pointed out that while state law only allows prosecutors to deal with complaints of price gouging during a “state of emergency declared by the governor,” the possibility exists that other criminal activity may occur due to the gas shortage.

During a state of emergency it is illegal to rent or sell or offer to rent or sell a commodity at an "unconscionable price" within the area for which the state of emergency is declared.

Those commodities are defined as goods, services, materials, merchandise, supplies, equipment, resources, or other articles of commerce, and includes, without limitation, food, water, ice, chemicals, petroleum products, and lumber essential for consumption or use as a direct result of a declared state of emergency.

It is also illegal to impose "unconscionable prices" for the rental or lease of a dwelling unit, including a motel or hotel unit or other temporary lodging, or self- storage facility within the area for which the state of emergency is declared.

"Unconscionable price" means an amount charged, which either represents a "gross disparity" or "grossly exceeds" the average price available for these items and services in the same area 30 days immediately before a declaration of a state of emergency.

Citizens are urged to remain patient during this gas shortage and not to purchase any more gas than they absolutely need.

Reported by Jack Kuenzie

Updated 5:00pm by Bryce Mursch with AP