FERC ignores statutory obligation to public, authorizes 500 miles of unnecessary pipelines
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized two methane gas pipeline projects, South System Expansion 4 and Mississippi Crossing, totaling 500 miles across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, despite overwhelming evidence that they are unnecessary. The Southern Environmental Law Center plans to challenge the authorization on behalf of several environmental groups, citing concerns over public interest, environmental impact, and rising power bills due to data center demand.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has controversially authorized two major methane gas pipeline projects, the South System Expansion 4 and Mississippi Crossing, spanning over 500 miles across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. This decision, estimated at $5.2 billion, has drawn strong condemnation from environmental and community groups, prompting the Southern Environmental Law Center to announce a legal challenge on behalf of multiple organizations including Alabama Rivers Alliance and Blackbelt Women Rising.
Opponents argue that FERC disregarded its statutory obligation to protect the public interest, citing overwhelming evidence that the pipelines are unnecessary and will disproportionately harm Southern communities. Megan Gibson, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, stated that FERC is "rubber stamping a reckless plan that will pollute Southern communities and risk raising families’ power bills." A report by London Economic International found that public records do not support the demand for this gas expansion, noting that major utilities like Southern Company affiliates (Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Mississippi Power, Southern Power, and Atlanta Gas Light) do not need the contracted gas.
Another report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis links the pipeline push to "excessive forecasts of data center growth," suggesting utilities are forcing customers to subsidize data centers and potentially pay for unused infrastructure. Critics emphasize the pipelines' potential to impact 18 river watersheds, increase air pollution, expose communities to gas leaks and explosions, and threaten wildlife. Cindy Lowry of Alabama Rivers Alliance highlighted the threat to waterways and fragile species, accusing FERC of prioritizing corporations over public and environmental health. Local groups, including Blackbelt Women Rising and Energy Alabama, also voiced concerns about the burden on economically distressed communities and the "crony capitalism" involved.