FERC Ignores Statutory Obligation to Public, Authorizes 500 Miles of Unnecessary Pipelines

Federal regulators have approved two new gas pipeline projects, South System Expansion 4 and Mississippi Crossing, that would run more than 500 miles through Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi at an estimated cost of $5.2 billion. The Southern Environmental Law Center plans to challenge the approval, arguing the pipelines aren't actually needed and would raise costs for ratepayers while crossing 18 river watersheds used for drinking water, fishing, and farming.

Independent analyses submitted to regulators found that major utilities in the region, including Georgia Power, Alabama Power, and Mississippi Power, don't need the gas capacity they've contracted for. Much of the justification for the pipelines rests on projected data center growth that researchers say is overstated. Critics say the costs, including fuel expenses not even counted in the $5.2 billion price tag, will likely land on household electric bills rather than on the companies building the pipelines.

For homeowners in the Southeast, this matters because utility-scale infrastructure like this typically gets paid for through rates charged to all customers, not just the businesses it serves. If the pipelines move forward as approved, residents in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi could see it reflected in future power bills, along with added risks from compressor station pollution and pipeline safety incidents, which opponents note have happened before along existing lines in the region. There's no rebate or upgrade decision tied to this news, but it's a reminder that utility bills are shaped by decisions made well before they show up on your statement.