South System Expansion 4 Pipeline Project

Introduction

On December 6, 2024, FERC staff approved Southern Natural Gas Company, L.L.C.’s and Elba Express Company, L.L.C.’s request to enter into FERC’s Pre-filing Environmental Review Process (Pre-filing Process) for the planned South System Expansion 4 Pipeline Project (Project). More information may be found in FERC Docket No. PF25-1-000 in FERC's eLibrary. Please note that the project has not been approved at this time.

South System Expansion 4 Route and Facilities 

The planned pipeline project will consist of (14) fourteen new natural gas pipeline loops (noncontiguous) that run parallel to SNG’s existing pipeline, South Main Line, totaling approximately 279 miles primarily along existing pipeline in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The Project also includes expansions to (13) thirteen existing compressor stations and (5) five new meter or regulator stations and modifications to (11) eleven existing meter stations. The planned project would create up to approximately 1.3 million dekatherms per day of capacity on Southern Natural Gas Company, L.L.C.’s pipeline system.

South System Expansion 4 Project – General Overview Map

On December 18, 2024, Southern Natural Gas Company and Elba Express Company submitted several maps on the Project to the docket. To view and download these maps, please visit FERC's eLibrary and search Docket No. PF25-1-000.

Pre-filing Environmental Review Process  

Pre-filing is a “pre-application” phase in the overall environmental review process for interstate natural gas or liquefied natural gas projects under FERC’s jurisdiction. The Pre-filing Process is designed to identify and address environmental aspects of the project before an official application is filed. The Pre-filing Process was established to encourage early involvement by stakeholders during the design and/or routing of an interstate natural gas project.

During the Pre-filing Process, members of the public will have multiple opportunities to get involved and express their views, concerns, and issues. Those opportunities include public comment periods, applicant-sponsored open houses, and scoping sessions hosted by FERC. These opportunities will be posted in FERC’s eLibrary in Docket No. PF25-1-000. 

Public Participation Opportunities 

Federal law requires FERC to seek out public comments and consider them during its review of a project. Public comments inform FERC’s reviews and serve to educate decision-makers about local concerns.

Open Houses 

During the Pre-filing Process, members of the public will have several opportunities to express their views, concerns, and issues with the project. The first of those opportunities are Open Houses held by Southern Natural Gas between January 14 and March 4, 2025. 

For information on what to expect at Open Houses, visit OPP’s Natural Gas Pre-filing Open Houses: Public Participation and What to Expect handout.

Scoping Sessions  

When a company seeks approval to construct and operate an interstate natural gas pipeline or liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, FERC must conduct an environmental review of the proposed project’s effects. The gathering of public input is referred to as “scoping.”  Scoping Sessions are typically an in-person opportunity to collect public comments about a proposed interstate natural gas project. On March 3, 2025, FERC issued a Notice of Scoping for the South System Expansion and Mississippi Crossing Projects. For information on what to expect at scoping sessions, visit OPP’s Natural Gas Scoping Sessions: Public Participation and What to Expect handout.

Locations, Dates, and Times for In-Person Scoping Sessions

Some dates include joint scoping sessions for both the South System Expansion 4 Project (SSE4) and the Mississippi Crossing Project (MSX) Docket No. (PF25-2-000) 

 Date Location Time Project
Tuesday, March 25

The Warehouse Industrial Venue
212 N. Academy Ave., Butler, AL  36904

 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST SSE4 and MSX
Wednesday, March 26 YMCA of Selma- Dallas County
1 YMCA Dr, Selma, AL 36701		 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST SSE4 Only
Thursday, March 27

Davis Event Center
2903 W. MLK Hwy, Tuskegee, AL  35083

 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST SSE4 Only 
Monday, March 31 Harris County Community Center
7509 GA-116, Hamilton, GA  31811		 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST SSE4 Only 
Tuesday, April 1 Hampton Inn & Suites Macon1-75 North
3954 River Place Dr., Macon, GA  31210		 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST SSE4 Only 
Wednesday, April 2 Copeland Center
2501 4th St., Meridian, MS 39301		 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST SSE4 and MSX
Wednesday, April 2 The Pringle Building
114 East Haynes St., Sandersville, GA  31082		 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST SSE4 Only 
Thursday, April 3 Holiday Inn Express
1361 N. Expressway, Griffin, GA  30223		 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST SSE4 Only 

The Commission requests to receive all public comments NLT than 5:00 pm EST on April 7, 2025.

Your comments should focus on:

  • the potential environmental effects
  • reasonable alternatives
  • measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. 

Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document.  Commission staff will consider all written or oral comments during the preparation of the environmental document.

There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to FERC.

1. eComment

You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature in FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for submitting brief, text-only comments.

2. eFiling

You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling feature in FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on “eRegister.” You will be asked to select the type of filing you are making. A comment on a particular project is considered a “Comment on a Filing.”

3. File a paper copy

You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to FERC. Be sure to reference the Project Docket No. P-14890 on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to:

Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE, Room 1A
Washington, DC 20426

Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:

Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
12225 Wilkins Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20852

More Information and Staying Updated 

You may learn more about the Project through FERC’s eLibrary. When searching for the Project, please enter Docket No. PF25-1-000 in the “Enter Docket Number” text box. FERC’s Office of Public Participation provides an educational video and demonstration on using eLibrary: WorkshOPP and Demonstration: FERC’s eLibrary. 

Stay Informed: You may also sign up for FERC’s eSubscription service. eSubscription notifies you via email about submittals and issuances on the project. Please visit www.ferc.gov/esubscription.

You are also encouraged to contact OPP staff to learn more about the Project and participation at FERC by email at [email protected] or phone at 202-502-6595. If you would like to speak with someone in the region, please contact Ms. Pamela Young, OPP Outreach Specialist, at [email protected] or by phone at 601-715-9009; or Ms. Lisbeth Bouchelle (se habla español), OPP Outreach Specialist at [email protected], 202-502-6292. All media inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

Resources

Guides on Public Participation 

Educational Videos 

Tips on Public Participation 

Informational Handouts 

Background

Quick Links

Contact Information

This page was last updated on March 26, 2025