Lea Campbell, an advocate with the Mississippi Pipelines Working Group, said the scale of the infrastructure—featuring pipes up to 42 inches in diameter carrying high-pressure gas—presents risks that extend well beyond the construction phase.
“These pipelines would also include building compressor stations that emit toxic emissions into the air and pollute the air,” Campbell said. “And these can cause a number of respiratory and cardiac conditions, especially to vulnerable Mississippians, like the elderly, small children, pregnant people, and folks with pre-existing health conditions.”
Bobbie Miller, a lifelong resident of Isola in Humphreys County, said both projects are slated to run through her property within 500 feet of her home.
“We don’t benefit nothing from that pipeline running through these properties, going wherever it’s going,” Miller said. “It’s like we don’t even matter anymore. It’s sad the way this thing is being done, and it’s all about money.”
Kinder Morgan, the company developing Mississippi Crossing, already operates more than 13,000 miles of pipelines and two terminals across 58 counties in Mississippi. Allen Fore, vice president of public affairs for Kinder Morgan, said the new project is designed to meet the state’s growing energy needs.
“From an environmental perspective, Mississippi is one of the strongest states in the country. They make sure that landowners are taken care of,” Fore said. “They make sure local governments have a seat at the table and have a conversation. But they do it in a way that doesn’t impede economic development. And that’s why you have companies coming to Mississippi. That’s why you have economic growth.”
Mississippi Crossing represents an estimated $1.7 billion investment. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with service targeted for 2028. Fore noted that company representatives engage directly with residents regarding proposed routes across private property.
“I’m a property owner myself… We want to make sure people are being heard,” Fore said. “I get there’s folks that are against infrastructure and against energy industry and have lots of reasons for doing that… The person that is in a small county in Mississippi is just as important as the utility or what other entity is receiving the natural gas on this. They’re both important and we treat them with the same type of courtesy and diligence.”
In a statement sent to MPB, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners said the Kosciusko Junction Pipeline Project will support growing energy demand across Mississippi while adhering to FERC policies:
“This project has been subject to a thorough federal review process led by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), including a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), extensive stakeholder engagement, multiple public comment opportunities, and review of environmental, safety, and routing considerations. The Final EIS states that the project would not have a significant impact on the human environment as long as certain, required mitigation measures are taken. FERC approved the Project, including the project’s need as evidenced by contracts for the full capacity, and reviewed, analyzed, and approved of the Final Environmental Impact Statement. By accepting the certificate last Friday, Gulf South and Texas Gas intend to accept and comply with FERC’s proposed mitigation measures.”
Campbell reiterated that the safety, environment, and well-being of residents must remain a priority, encouraging Mississippians to stay informed about infrastructure projects affecting their communities.
“What happens to one of us here in Mississippi happens to all of us. So when something has the potential to harm my neighbors in the 11 counties where this pipeline would run, it is of concern to me,” Campbell said. “We don’t want our neighbors and our brothers and sisters to be harmed for profit.”
Federal regulators are expected to issue a final decision on the Kosciusko Junction project before the end of September.
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