Black Belt residents, environmentalists speak out against gas pipeline expansion plan

A coalition of environmental advocates, local leaders and concerned residents gathered at ArtsRevive in Selma on Sept 30 to discuss the implications of a proposed 10-county natural gas pipeline project that would cut through Alabama’s Black Belt region.

The meeting, hosted by State Sen. Robert Stewart and the Alabama Rivers Alliance, gave time for questions and concerns regarding the SSE4 pipeline, a $3.5 billion expansion project led by Kinder Morgan. 

The proposed pipeline would loop alongside the existing South Main Line, adding nearly 300 miles of new pipe across Alabama and Georgia. While the infrastructure is intended to support growing energy demand, particularly from data centers in neighboring states, critics argue that the risks and burdens will fall disproportionately on rural communities. 

Each group in attendance highlighted different concerns from air and water pollution to property rights and emergency preparedness. Many also called for safety plans that prioritize people over property, referencing a 2022 gas pipeline explosion in Perry County. 

One resident of north Dallas County, who has already received a letter and contract regarding the proposed pipeline crossing her land, advised landowners who may be affected to carefully read all the fine print on the contract, noting it is not necessarily in the favor of the landowner. 

The meeting featured representatives from several partner organizations, including the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Energy Alabama, Friends of the Alabama River, Black Belt Women Rising and the Southern Environmental Law Center. Each group highlighted different concerns from air and water pollution to property rights and emergency preparedness. 

Jamie McClintock, an attorney with SELC, provided a detailed overview of the federal approval process. The pipeline application is currently under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with a draft environmental impact statement expected in early 2026. Public comments are being accepted now, and community members were encouraged to participate. 

As the meeting concluded, Stewart reiterated the importance of civic engagement. “We don’t talk about the environment enough because it’s not sexy,” he said.  

Stewart encouraged residents to speak up if they're against the plan.  

“We are very vulnerable because sometimes corporations think we don’t matter,”he said. “But we do matter. We have toprotect our rivers, our air, our health, and our land.” 

The coalition pledged continued outreach and advocacy, with plans to expand engagement in Selma and other affected communities across the 10 affected Black Belt counties.  

More information about the FERC and the project SSE4 is available at www.ferc.gov. More information about the Alabama Rivers Alliance, and how to submit a comment on the SSE4 project is at www.alabamarivers.org.