Kinder Morgan Planned New Tennessee Natural Gas Pipeline
The Southeast Connector Project will traverse 150 miles and impact hundreds of state landowners.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Utilities
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Kinder Morgan has proposed the 150-mile Southeast Connector Project to expand natural gas infrastructure across Tennessee. The expansion seeks to support economic growth by addressing regional energy demands.
Why it matters
The project aims to eliminate natural gas deserts southeast of I-65, which officials hope will provide the necessary energy capacity to bolster industrial and economic development in the state.
Kinder Morgan manages a 1,300-mile pipeline network in Tennessee and generates $8 million in annual tax revenue. The new project requires 50-foot permanent easements for 48-inch diameter pipes buried three feet underground.
The players
Kinder Morgan
This Houston-based energy infrastructure company operates one of the largest networks of natural gas pipelines in North America.
The details
The project includes three compressor stations and will be built in 20- to 40-foot concurrent spreads. Affected landowners will receive a $500 fee for initial survey access and compensation for potential crop yield losses if restoration finishes after the harvest season.
Timeline
Landowners will receive letters of introduction in the next few weeks.
Real estate easement negotiations are slated to begin in 2027.
Construction is expected to start by the end of 2028.
The pipeline is projected to be in service before the end of 2030.
Market Landscape
This project builds upon the established trend of addressing natural gas deserts to stimulate regional manufacturing. It positions Kinder Morgan to consolidate its control over the state's energy distribution network against local utilities.
Landowners in the affected path will be compensated for survey access and potential crop losses during construction. Residents may see changes to land use as permanent 50-foot easements are established across the 150-mile route.
The takeaway
Property owners should prepare for upcoming surveys and formal easement negotiations that are set to begin in 2027. Careful documentation of current crop yields and land usage will be essential for residents to ensure fair compensation during the restoration phase.
Further reading
For more information on energy infrastructure in the state, visit our Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Main Street Media of Tennessee -.
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