The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced this week that it has approved two significant natural‑gas pipeline expansions that will increase delivery capacity by 1.8 billion cubic feet per day across Louisiana and Mississippi. The projects are expected to supply growing industrial demand in the Southeast and support the new LNG export dock at the Plaquemines marine terminal near New Orleans.
Project details
The first approval covers a 627‑million‑cubic‑feet‑per‑day expansion of Venture Global’s Gator Express Pipeline. The pipeline, which runs 26.8 miles within Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, will feed the company’s Plaquemines LNG terminal. Venture Global demonstrated that engineering improvements allow the increased flow without any physical modifications to the line, enabling the expansion without additional construction risk.
The second project, the Kosciusko Junction expansion, adds 1.175 billion cubic feet per day of capacity. Developed by Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, the 111‑mile line will traverse nine Mississippi counties, bringing gas from the Marcellus and Utica shale basins in Pennsylvania and Ohio to meet fast‑growing power demand from Mississippi utilities and Southeast industrial customers. A 20‑year agreement with Southern Company, a regional utility, secures two‑thirds of the additional gas supply.
Environmental concerns
Environmental groups, including Healthy Gulf and the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, filed protests seeking to strip Venture Global of its “blanket certificate” fast‑track status and require a full application under the Natural Gas Act. The groups argue that bypassing standard reviews could create unexamined safety risks and increase fugitive emissions. FERC, however, concluded that because the capacity increase results from engineering improvements rather than new construction, an extensive environmental review was unnecessary.
Local impact
Both projects are poised to strengthen the regional energy infrastructure, providing reliable gas supplies for manufacturers, petrochemical plants, and power generators. The added capacity supports the Gulf Coast’s role as a national energy hub and is expected to create jobs during construction and operation phases.
Local officials in the affected Mississippi counties have expressed optimism about the economic benefits, while community leaders in Plaquemines Parish highlighted the importance of maintaining a safe, reliable energy supply for the area’s residents and businesses.
Regulatory context
FERC’s approvals reflect a broader federal emphasis on expanding domestic energy resources to enhance energy security and competitiveness. By allowing these expansions, the commission aims to meet rising demand while adhering to safety and engineering standards.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
