The Tennessee portion of the project, known as the Southeast Connector, would cost about $1.3 billion and cover roughly 150 miles, the company says. The pipeline is being developed by Southern Natural Gas, a pipeline company owned equally by subsidiaries of Kinder Morgan and Southern Co.

The proposed route would pass through Sumner, Macon, Trousdale, Smith, DeKalb, Cannon, Warren, Coffee, Franklin and Marion counties. The plan also includes compressor stations, facilities that pressurize gas to keep it moving through the pipeline.

Pipelines like this are long-distance routes that move natural gas between states, carrying gas to local utilities, power plants and large industrial customers. The proposed line would connect existing pipeline systems; it would not be a new neighborhood gas line directly serving homes. Whether it leads to more gas service or lower bills for households has not been established.

Kinder Morgan says the project is a response to growing demand for natural gas and could support development in areas with limited access to gas infrastructure. Those are the company's projections. The company has not provided details in the materials reviewed showing how much additional gas local customers would receive or whether residential customers would see a price change.

Kinder Morgan's November fact sheet estimates the full project will cost about $7.6 billion, with the company's share estimated at about $3.1 billion. The materials do not explain how the separate $1.3 billion Tennessee investment estimate was calculated. The company projects about 7,000 temporary construction jobs and 50 permanent positions across the full project.

The project has not been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Kinder Morgan plans to request entry into FERC's pre-filing process in late 2026 and submit a formal application in 2027. The company estimates construction could begin in late 2028, with service starting in phases in late 2030. FERC's review gives agencies, landowners and the public opportunities to raise concerns, and the proposed route could change.

The proposal comes as the region grapples with growing energy demands and debates over fossil fuel infrastructure. Environmental advocates have raised concerns about pipeline projects and their contribution to climate change, while supporters point to economic benefits and energy reliability. The Southeast Connector's route and scope will be subject to federal scrutiny, and public input will play a role in the review process.