The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is expected to release a decision by Friday on a proposed natural gas pipeline that would span the full width of Mississippi. The pipeline, developed by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. and Southern Natural Gas Co., both part of Kinder Morgan, aims to increase gas capacity in the southeastern United States.
The 206-mile project would connect to existing pipelines and transport up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas daily from Greenville across 10 Mississippi counties to Butler, Alabama. The project includes the construction of new compressor stations in Humphreys, Attala, and Lauderdale counties. Kinder Morgan estimates the project will create 750 temporary jobs and 15 permanent positions, with a total cost of $1.7 billion.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a final environmental study in June, noting that while the project would have some limited adverse environmental impacts, mitigation measures would reduce these effects to less than significant. However, environmental groups such as Mississippi Rising Coalition have raised concerns about the crossing of more than 2,000 water bodies and potential harm to wildlife habitat.
Members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, whose reservation lies near the route, also expressed concerns about a lack of proper consultation. Melanie Carson, the tribe’s historic preservation officer, said the tribe was not adequately engaged and is worried about impacts to the Pearl River and cultural sites. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs criticized the companies for insufficient tribal engagement, but FERC indicated the route would not impact historic properties, a conclusion disputed by tribal representatives.
Landowner Tony Kinton, who owns 200 acres in Leake County, said he acknowledged the inevitability of the project. Kinton, a nature writer and photographer, said the pipeline would cross part of his land but that he negotiated a route to avoid key features. While he would have preferred to keep his land undisturbed, he expressed a pragmatic attitude. “It’s going to happen, so let’s make the best of it,” he said. “Like I say, I’d rather have the trees than the check. But that’s sentiment, that’s not necessarily a financial thing.”
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
