Kinder Morgan, a leading energy infrastructure company, is moving forward with the South System Expansion 4 (SSE4) Project, a $3 billion natural gas pipeline expansion across the Southeastern United States. If approved, the project will enhance natural gas capacity by up to 1.3 billion cubic feet per day, addressing the region’s growing demand for residential, commercial, and industrial energy. 

According to company’s representatives, the expansion is a strategic response to long-term energy needs, particularly in Alabama, where energy providers foresee increasing consumption over the next two to three decades. The company already operates about 3,000 miles of pipelines across that state and transports approximately 40% of the natural gas consumed in the United States.

The project involves adding pipeline infrastructure across 279 miles of existing assets, mainly through brownfield looping and compressor station modifications. Kinder Morgan officials explained that looping — installing new pipelines parallel to existing ones — would improve efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. 

Company representatives emphasized that SSE4 will play a critical role in stabilizing and expanding the Southeast’s energy grid, particularly in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. They highlighted that the project will not only enhance reliability but also support local economies. Kinder Morgan assured that landowners will not be forced to relocate as a result of the project.  Regulatory agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and state environmental agencies in the mentioned three states will oversee the approval process.

If approved, SSE4 is expected to be completed in two phases, with the first phase operational by late 2028 and the second by late 2029. Kinder Morgan executives reiterated their commitment to working closely with stakeholders, ensuring environmental compliance, and maintaining transparency throughout the approval and construction process.