An Oct. 29 application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build new natural gas pipeline segments across parts of the South is drawing scrutiny from environmental and community groups.  

Transcontinental Pipeline Company, or Transco, a subsidiary of natural gas pipeline giant Williams, is planning to upgrade its existing pipeline system. If built, the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project would add nearly 1.6 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to a system that extends to South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The project entails building 30 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and Rockingham County, North Carolina (Eden Loop) and 24 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline in Guilford, Forsyth, and Davidson counties, North Carolina (Salem Loop). Transco also plans to modify four existing compressor stations in Virginia and North Carolina.

Groups opposing the project called it the “largest proposed methane gas expansion project in the South since the controversial Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines.”

The expansion “would cause significant harm to our climate, environment, and ratepayers,” said Megan Gibson, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, in an Oct. 30 news release.

In its application to FERC, Williams said the project would “remove pipeline capacity constraints” and “meet growing natural gas fired power generation, commercial, residential, and industrial demand in the southeast United States.”