Sumner County officials and local landowners are now hearing the first details of a proposed 470‑mile natural gas pipeline that would start in the county and travel through ten Tennessee counties before reaching Georgia. The project, called the Southeast Connector, is being developed by Kinder Morgan, which says the line is intended to bring additional natural gas supply to the region.
Company explains the need for new transmission lines
“Tennessee doesn’t have its own underground natural gas supply like some parts of the country do. So the way you get your supply is through these transmission lines,” a Kinder Morgan spokesperson told reporters. “There is some natural gas service in the area, but it’s limited.” The company added that it is still in the early planning stages and has not yet entered easement negotiations.
Impact on property owners
According to the company, more than 750 property owners have been identified along the proposed route. “Right now, we’ve identified about 760 through the state. We’re contacting those landowners for initial survey permission,” the spokesperson said. “We’re not anywhere near easement negotiations or anything like that. This is just to determine the uniqueness of property.” The surveys are meant to help Kinder Morgan decide where the line can be built and which homeowners might be offered compensation for rights‑of‑way.
Local concerns rise
Chad Grandell, a Smith County resident whose family runs a dog‑boarding business on two parcels that would sit directly under the pipeline, voiced strong concerns. He said the project would force his family to relocate and disrupt daily operations. “It would certainly cause a disruption. Nobody feels comfortable having dogs here with that kind of blasting and all the things that would be going on,” Grandell explained.
Grandell also warned that rural volunteer fire departments could be stretched thin in the event of an incident. “Some major concerns out here in the rural counties is emergency response preparedness. We are volunteer fire departments. Are we equipped for an incident?” he asked, urging neighbors to consider seeking eminent‑domain counsel.
Regulatory timeline
The pipeline still requires federal approval. Kinder Morgan says it plans to file the necessary applications next year. If the project receives the green light, construction could begin in late 2028, with natural gas flowing by late 2030. The company has pledged to hold public meetings and solicit community input throughout the process.
What residents can do
Landowners who receive a survey request are encouraged to review the paperwork carefully and consult legal counsel if they have questions about rights‑of‑way offers. Community members can also attend upcoming public forums to voice concerns or support the project.
As the Southeast Connector moves from concept to concrete planning, Sumner County and the surrounding rural communities will play a pivotal role in shaping the pipeline’s final path and ensuring that any impacts on families, businesses, and emergency services are thoughtfully addressed.
Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
