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Residents will have a chance to learn more, ask questions and log complaints for public record about the KinderMorgan pipeline expansion project, which ranges from Mississippi to Georgia.

The meeting is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, at the YMCA of Dallas County. According to a notice issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on March 3, they are opening the “scoping” process to gather input from the public and interested agencies regarding the project.

“As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity,” the notice stated. “he main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental document on the important environmental issues.”

Comments may be logged at this meeting, or they can also be logged by submitting in writing or in oral form.

“To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on March 31, 2025,” the notice stated.

Here are ways to make comments: 

• File your comments electronically using the eComment feature on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to FERC Online.
• Use the eFiling feature, which is located on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a varietyo f formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on “eRegister.” You will be asked to select the type of filing you are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a “Comment on a Filing.”
• Submit by mail. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF25-1-000 for South System Expansion 4 and/or PF25-2-000 for Mississippi Crossing Project) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
• Attend a public scoping meeting, such as the one scheduled for the YMCA of Dallas County for Wednesday at 6 p.m.

An informal open house was held in January at Selma High School to meet with 51 landowners along a 21-mile segment along northern Dallas County.

Allen Fore, Vice President of public affairs for Kinder Morgan, said they are adding these looping projects along the entire pipeline to help increase capacity for the customers using the natural gas. The project is being developed by Southern Natural Gas Company, a Delaware-based company equally owned by subsidiaries of Kinder Morgan, Southern Company and Elba Express, which is a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan.

The project is expected to cost $3 million and will increase the capacity of the line by up to 1.3 billion cubic feet per day.

Specifically in Dallas County, Fore said there will be a 21-mile addition coming to the area. He said the pipe will be at least three feet below ground, deeper in many areas. They are notifying landowners on or within 300 feet of the proposed route.

In addition to the additional pipe loop, Kinder Morgan also showed that the Selma compressor station will also be upgraded to handle the additional capacity.

Fore said the pipe originally came through in the 1960s and 1970s. They are hopeful expansion of the pipeline will last them at least another generation.

“This is likely a once in 30 years type project,” Fore said.

The Alabama Rivers Alliance, Black Belt Women Rising, Black Warrior River keeper and Energy Alabama are encouraging everyone within Dallas County to attend the meeting and make their voices heard.