One of the largest energy infrastructure companies in the U.S. is moving forward with plans for a $3 billion, multi-state expansion of its natural gas pipeline network.
While the overall impact on Coastal Georgia is expected to be minimal, the project does include upgrades in areas such as Rincon in Effingham County. As the county experiences growth, so does the demand for natural gas. According to Allen Fore, Vice President of Kinder Morgan, the expansion will enhance existing infrastructure rather than introduce entirely new facilities.
“We aren’t building anything new for compressor stations, but we are adding to them. The one here in Effingham County will be getting an upgrade,” said Fore.
The project, known as the South System Expansion 4, will span Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, comprising 14 new pipelines designed to increase natural gas transportation capacity across the region.
“The bulk of the work will be north of here, but Effingham County will still benefit from the natural gas supply. What happens here contributes to the overall success of the project,” Fore added.
Kinder Morgan has a history in the region, previously proposing the Palmetto Pipeline in 2015, which faced strong public opposition. However, Fore emphasized that this project is fundamentally different.
“It is an entirely different project. Palmetto was a petroleum pipeline on a brand-new route,” he explained.
Unlike the Palmetto Pipeline, the South System Expansion 4 will follow existing pipeline corridors, minimizing new land disturbances. If approved, construction is expected to begin in 2027.