Gas Pipeline in Kansas: Send Your Eco-Complaints by April!
Published Date: 3/9/2026
Notice
Summary
Southern Star wants to build new gas pipeline facilities in Sumner County, Kansas, and the government is asking the public to share their thoughts on how this might affect the environment. People have until April 3, 2026, to send in comments about possible impacts and ideas to reduce harm. This feedback will help decide if the project moves forward and how it might change the area.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Easement Offers and Eminent Domain Risk
If you own land in the project area, Southern Star may contact you to negotiate an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the pipeline. You do not have to agree, but if FERC approves the project the Natural Gas Act conveys eminent domain rights to the company, which could initiate condemnation proceedings in court and have compensation determined by a judge according to state law.
Construction Disturbance and Permanent Land Use
Construction of the Viola Project would disturb about 266.4 acres of land and Southern Star would permanently maintain about 163.8 acres for operation of the pipeline and aboveground facilities. That means substantial temporary disturbance during construction and a defined amount of land kept in permanent use after construction.
Formal Environmental and Historic Review
FERC staff will prepare an environmental document (an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement) that will evaluate effects on geology and soils; water resources and wetlands; vegetation and wildlife; threatened and endangered species; cultural resources; land use; socioeconomics; air quality and noise; and reliability and safety. The notice also initiates consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act with the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office and solicits views from interested Indian tribes and the public.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16739, Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC, Venture Global CP Express, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed CP2 LNG Expansion Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions
2026-16616, Regulatory Agenda
We are publishing our regulatory agenda (the Agenda) in accordance with Public Law 96-354, "The Regulatory Flexibility Act," and Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review." FERC's complete Agenda, available on OMB's website at https://www.reginfo.gov, is a compilation of all rulemaking activities on which we have recently completed action or have proposed or are considering action. Our last Agenda was provided in May 2025 and in this current agenda, we have listed 42 rulemaking activities. We also note that the Agency has one inactive rulemaking that is not listed in this Agenda. This issuance of our Agenda contains ten (10) Pre-Rules, eleven (11) Notice of Proposed Rules, eight (8) Final Rules, and thirteen (13) Completed activities. Four (4) rulemakings are Section 3(f)(1) Significant; two (2) are Other Significant; one (1) is a routine rulemaking activity; two (2) are administrative, and thirty-two (32) are Substantive, Nonsignificant rulemaking activities.
2026-16637, Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new filings from several natural gas pipeline companies about rate changes and rule updates. These changes could affect pipeline rates starting as soon as July 9, 2026, and some compliance updates kick in January 1, 2027. If you want to speak up or get involved, you need to comment by late August 2026.
2026-16633, Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Maysville Project
2026-16525, Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new filings from natural gas pipeline companies about their rates and refunds. These filings could change how much customers pay starting as soon as September 1, 2026. If you want to speak up or get involved, you need to act by mid to late August.
2026-16418, NorthWestern Corporation; Notice of Institution of Section 206 Proceeding and Refund Effective Date
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