Line 31 Expansion Project is advancing through federal environmental review as FERC assesses a $4.5 million pipeline construction programme in Mississippi. The project would strengthen Texas Eastern Transmission’s system while supplying a proposed power generation facility. Meanwhile, FERC has completed its Environmental Assessment and opened a further public comment period.
The project targets Madison and Hinds counties, where Texas Eastern plans new pipeline facilities and compression infrastructure. In January, the company formally filed its application under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act.
FERC now lists the project under docket CP26-75-000 among major pending natural gas pipeline projects. The Commission records 11.8 miles of pipeline and 125,000 Dth/d of additional capacity.
Line 31 Expansion Project moves through environmental assessment
The Line 31 Expansion Project includes about 10.2 miles of new 36-inch pipeline loop. It will run alongside Texas Eastern’s existing Lines 14 and 18.
Additionally, the project includes approximately 1.6 miles of new 16-inch Line 14-P Lateral. The lateral will extend southward toward Entergy Mississippi’s proposed Traceview Advanced Power Station.
Texas Eastern also plans a new Ridgeland Compressor Station with three natural gas-driven compressor units. Each unit will provide approximately 1,500 horsepower.
Furthermore, construction includes the Ridgeland Meter and Regulator Station at the Traceview interconnection. New pig launchers, receivers, valves and related facilities will support pipeline operations.
The completed system would provide up to 125,000 dekatherms per day of additional natural gas transportation service. Entergy’s Traceview power station would receive the additional gas supply.
FERC assessment identifies construction and environmental considerations
FERC initially scheduled its Environmental Assessment for June 15, 2026. However, the Commission later revised the timetable after requesting additional information from Texas Eastern.
Texas Eastern expected to provide additional information concerning operational emissions by June 30. Consequently, FERC moved the assessment issuance date to July 24.
FERC subsequently issued the Environmental Assessment on July 24, opening a 30-day period for public comments. Comments supporting the assessment needed to reach the Commission by August 24.
The assessment examines potential effects from pipeline construction, compressor operations and associated infrastructure. It also considers environmental resources affected by the proposed development.
The project would temporarily disturb about 238 acres during construction. Approximately 94 acres would remain occupied for permanent project facilities.
Moreover, around 84% of the pipeline route would follow existing utility, pipeline or roadway corridors. That approach could limit additional land fragmentation from the construction programme.
The environmental review considers soils, water resources, wildlife, air quality and cultural resources. FERC also examines land use and potential community impacts.
Line 31 Expansion Project connects pipeline construction with power demand
The proposed pipeline expansion would directly support the Traceview Advanced Power Station. Therefore, the project links new transmission infrastructure with planned power generation capacity in Mississippi.
The project also forms part of a wider wave of U.S. natural gas infrastructure investment. Similar developments are moving through federal review as utilities and energy developers expand regional supply networks.
For example, the $2.3 billion Great Basin 2028 Expansion in Nevada has also entered FERC environmental review. However, Line 31 remains focused on a smaller Mississippi network expansion. Its primary purpose involves improving delivery capacity to the proposed Traceview facility.
FERC’s current records continue to identify the project as pending. The Commission’s federal authorization process therefore remains the key step before construction can proceed.
Pipeline and facility additions proposed
According to project details filed with the commission, Texas Eastern plans to install about 10.2 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline forming a loop along its existing Line 31 system. The proposal also includes about 1.6 miles of 16-inch pipeline known as the Line 14-P Lateral, designed to connect with other segments of the company’s pipeline network and extend south to a planned power generation facility.
Additional infrastructure would include the Ridgeline Compressor Station, equipped with three compressor units, as well as a new meter and regulator station near the pipeline interconnection. Other aboveground components such as valves, inspection gauge equipment, and corrosion protection systems would also be installed.
If constructed, the project would add up to 125,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation capacity to a section of Texas Eastern’s mainline pipeline network. The new lateral pipeline will connect the system directly to Entergy Mississippi, LLC’s proposed Traceview Advanced Power Station, allowing the facility to receive natural gas from the pipeline network operated by Texas Eastern Transmission, LP, a subsidiary of Enbridge.
Land use and construction footprint
Construction of the proposed facilities would temporarily disturb roughly 238 acres of land, with about 94 acres remaining in use for permanent operation once the project is completed. The remaining land would be restored after construction.
Most of the pipeline route—about 84 percent—would follow existing utility, pipeline, or roadway corridors. Although a temporary contractor yard would be located in Hinds County, the primary infrastructure is planned for Madison County.
Environmental review and public input
FERC staff will evaluate how the project could affect a range of environmental factors, including soils, water resources, wildlife, air quality, cultural resources, land use, and community impacts. Alternatives to the project and measures to reduce environmental effects will also be considered.
Following the scoping phase, the commission will decide whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment or a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement before reaching a final decision on the project.
Public comments received during the current scoping period will help guide the scope of that environmental analysis.
FERC has also recently opened environmental review for another major Midwest project, Southern Star’s Viola Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion in Kansas. Like Line 31, the Viola project strengthens regional energy infrastructure and supports growing natural gas demand. These parallel reviews show active federal oversight of significant pipeline developments across the United States.
Additionally; Just as the CP2 LNG project in Louisiana strengthens the U.S. natural gas export network, the Line 31 Expansion ensures reliable supply to domestic energy consumers, including Entergy Mississippi’s upcoming Traceview power station. Together, these projects illustrate the continued development of regional natural gas infrastructure.
Project Fact Sheet – Line 31 Expansion Project in Mississippi
Developer: Texas Eastern Transmission, LP
Regulatory Authority: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Project Location: Madison County and Hinds County, Mississippi, United States
Main Project Components
Construction of about 10.2 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline (Line 31 Pipeline Loop)
Construction of about 1.6 miles of 16-inch pipeline (Line 14-P Lateral)
Development of the Ridgeline Compressor Station with three compressor units
Installation of the Ridgeland Meter and Regulator Station
Additional infrastructure such as valves, pig launcher/receivers, and corrosion protection systems
Pipeline Connections
The Line 31 loop will connect with existing Lines 14 and 18
The Line 14-P Lateral will extend south to connect with the proposed Traceview Advanced Power Station
Purpose of the Project
Increase natural gas transportation capacity on Texas Eastern’s pipeline system
Provide fuel supply for new power generation infrastructure
Added Gas Capacity
Up to 125,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of additional firm transportation capacity
Land Requirements
About 238 acres temporarily disturbed during construction
About 94 acres required for permanent operations
Around 84% of the route follows existing utility or pipeline corridors
Project Team
Texas Eastern Transmission, LP – pipeline developer and operator
Enbridge – parent company overseeing project
Entergy Mississippi, LLC – gas customer and power plant developer
FERC – regulator conducting environmental review and approvals
Current Stage
Environmental review process underway
FERC has opened a public scoping period to collect environmental comments
Public Comment Deadline: April 3, 2026
Next Steps
FERC will analyze environmental impacts
An Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared
Regulators will then decide whether the project receives a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
Project Team
Developer and operator: Texas Eastern Transmission, LP.
Parent company: Enbridge.
Federal regulator: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Power generation customer: Entergy Mississippi, LLC.
Power project: Traceview Advanced Power Station.
Environmental review authority: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Pipeline infrastructure: Texas Eastern Transmission, LP.
Compressor infrastructure: Texas Eastern Transmission, LP.
Metering infrastructure: Texas Eastern Transmission, LP.
Affected jurisdictions: Madison County and Hinds County, Mississippi.
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