FERC Issues Final EIS for Nearly 500 Miles of Kinder Morgan Natural Gas Pipelines in the Southeast
According to Pipeline & Gas Journal, FERC staff has issued the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for two major Kinder Morgan natural gas expansion projects in the Southeast — together spanning nearly 500 miles of new and looped pipeline — advancing both toward a Commission certificate decision expected as early as July 2026.
The Two Projects
Tennessee Gas Pipeline — Mississippi Crossing Project The Mississippi Crossing Project would add approximately 2.1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of firm transportation capacity through construction of about 199 miles of new 36- and 42-inch pipeline across Mississippi and Alabama. The scope includes new compressor stations, meter stations, and related facilities.
Southern Natural Gas — South System Expansion 4 (SSE4) The SSE4 project would provide approximately 1.323 Bcf/d of additional transportation capacity through nearly 291 miles of pipeline looping, compressor upgrades, meter station additions, and other system modifications across Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Kinder Morgan has previously indicated it expects a FERC decision on the $3.5 billion SSE4 project in July 2026.
Environmental Findings
FERC environmental staff concluded that construction and operation of both projects would result in some adverse environmental impacts, but determined those impacts could be reduced to less-than-significant levels through proposed mitigation measures. The projects incorporate erosion and sediment controls, wetland mitigation, spill prevention plans, invasive species management, and post-construction environmental monitoring.
FERC staff also completed or is continuing consultations under the Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act. The final EIS recommends additional project-specific mitigation measures and concludes that, if implemented, neither project would result in significant long-term adverse environmental effects.
The final EIS represents a staff recommendation only. The Commission will consider the environmental findings before issuing a final certificate order.
What It Means for Subcontractors
A FERC certificate on two combined 490-mile pipeline projects across Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia would generate substantial field service demand across multiple disciplines:
- Right-of-way and civil work — clearing, grading, and access road construction along 490 miles of corridor through the Deep South
- Large-diameter pipe installation — 36- and 42-inch mainline pipe on the Mississippi Crossing Project requires specialized HDD, horizontal boring, and open-cut crews
- Compression and metering — new compressor stations and meter station additions create multi-trade mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation scopes
- Environmental compliance — wetland mitigation, erosion controls, and ESA monitoring require dedicated environmental inspection subcontractors
Field service firms operating in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia should begin tracking FERC docket activity on Tennessee Gas Pipeline (CP24 docket) and Southern Natural Gas SSE4 now. With a July decision window, RFQ timelines for pre-FEED and mobilization planning are likely to emerge in Q3 2026.
