FERC Finalizes Environmental Review for Kosciusko Junction Pipeline
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff concluded that most environmental impacts of the proposed 110.9-mile natural gas system in Mississippi will remain below significant levels, clearing a path for construction to begin in late 2026.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff have released the final environmental impact statement for the Kosciusko Junction Pipeline Project, a proposed 110.9-mile natural gas system spanning nine counties in Mississippi. The project, jointly filed by Gulf South Pipeline Company and Texas Gas Transmission, both subsidiaries of Boardwalk Pipeline, would connect existing infrastructure to serve new shippers in the region. Staff concluded that with mitigation measures, most adverse effects would be reduced to less than significant levels, although the statement noted that climate change impacts could not be categorized as either significant or insignificant.
The proposal involves substantial capital expenditure and operational restructuring between the two applicant entities. Texas Gas Transmission plans to abandon its 98-mile Greenville Lateral and associated compressor station, transferring assets to Gulf South Pipeline. In exchange, Gulf South will construct approximately 110.9 miles of new 36-inch pipeline and lateral facilities, along with 700 feet of 20-inch lateral. The project also includes the construction of two new compressor stations at Holmes and Kosciusko, modifications to the existing Isola station, and the installation of four new meter stations. Texas Gas will retain the Greenville Compressor Station to continue servicing its existing shipper.
Construction Timeline and Land Requirements
Pending final Commission approval, the applicants have scheduled construction to commence in December 2026, with first service expected on April 28, 2028. The build-out will require temporary and permanent rights-of-way ranging from 75 to 135 feet in width during the construction phase. The project footprint includes five contractor yards and the creation of more than 100 new and temporary access roads. Once operational, the permanent maintenance corridor will be narrowed to 50 feet over the pipeline right-of-way.
Environmental Findings and Regulatory Path
The environmental impact statement was prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acting as cooperating agencies. FERC staff determined that most construction-related impacts would be temporary, while some long-term effects on forested lands, including wetlands, were identified. The staff’s analysis supports the conclusion that project effects generally fall below significant levels, setting the stage for the full Commission to weigh these findings in its final approval decision.
Strategic Asset Integration for Boardwalk
This project represents a strategic consolidation of Boardwalk Pipeline’s southern footprint, merging the operational capabilities of its two subsidiaries. By having Texas Gas abandon its lateral to Gulf South, the company streamlines its asset base and leverages the new 36-inch mainline capacity. The timeline aligns with the broader industry push to expand natural gas infrastructure in the Midwest and Southeast, providing a critical link between production regions and demand centers. The finalization of the EIS removes a key regulatory uncertainty, allowing the company to proceed with land acquisition and construction planning.
