4 things to know on proposed Texas Gas pipeline that could snake around Louisville

• Texas Gas Transmission is proposing a new natural gas pipeline through Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
• The Borealis Project aims to meet increasing energy demands by fueling power plants and large industrial users.
• Many Kentucky residents have expressed concerns about pipeline safety and property rights.

A proposed natural gas pipeline in the greater Louisville area has sparked backlash from landowners, prompting discussions around transparency and safety.

In late April, residents and business owners in parts of Jefferson County and its surrounding area received letters from Texas Gas Transmission requesting permission to survey their property. The surveys, officials said, would help route engineers determine an ideal path for their new 42-inch high pressure natural gas pipeline passing through Kentucky.

Many letter recipients are concerned about pipeline safety, property ownership and unanswered questions as Texas Gas remains in its preliminary planning stages. With opposition building, Texas Gas officials say they want to be transparent about their intentions and approval processes.

Here’s what we know about the project so far:

What is the Texas Gas Borealis Project?

The Borealis Project is a proposed natural gas pipeline stretching a total of about 465 miles through Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. It is overseen by Owensboro, Kentucky-based Texas Gas Transmission, LLC, which is owned by Boardwalk Pipelines, a part of the New York City-based Loews Corporation.

Texas Gas officials said the pipeline is meant to address increasing energy demands in the region. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, natural gas use in Kentucky’s electric power sector in 2024 made up 40% of the state’s natural gas consumption, which is more than five times greater than it was a decade earlier.

While it will not directly supply homes and businesses, the proposed pipeline would fuel power plants and other large industrial users, from which Kentucky residents will “indirectly” benefit if served by those utilities.

“Expanding access to supply can help moderate energy costs over time, while construction and ongoing operations bring new jobs and economic activity to the area,” officials said in a statement. “Pipeline infrastructure also contributes long-term property tax revenue, helping support schools, roads and other essential community services.”

The project has two main components, a Borealis mainline pipeline and a Borealis supply leg pipeline. The mainline will consist of about 265 miles of a 42-inch natural gas pipeline stretching from Ohio to Kentucky. Around 80% of the mainline route is proposed to be constructed along existing utility corridors, and it will involve additional compression at an existing compressor station in Indiana.

The supply leg pipeline will require about 200 miles of a 42-inch pipeline in Ohio.

What is the timeline for the Texas Gas pipeline?

To move forward with construction, Texas Gas must first obtain certification from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. A preliminary timeline on Boardwalk’s website indicates the company is currently in its “Public Engagement and Early Planning” phase, which allows stakeholders to voice opinions as the route is refined during land surveying.

“These activities help us determine a viable route based upon on-the ground inspections and feedback from local officials and landowners,” Texas Gas officials said.

A formal application is planned to be submitted to FERC in late 2027.

If the project is approved, FERC will grant Texas Gas a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, and construction would likely take place in 2028 and 2029. At this point, landowners directly impacted by the project would be contacted by land agents to discuss property specific details like schedules and access. Landowners who previously denied permission to survey may be contacted again at this point, officials said at a public meeting June 23.

According to the preliminary timeline, the project would begin service in the second half of 2029.

“As we do with all our projects, we are following the FERC process and plan to host open houses this fall in communities along the pipeline route,” a Texas Gas spokesperson said. “Once the dates and locations are set, we will be notifying local officials, landowners and other interested parties so that they can choose to participate and learn more.”

Where will the Texas Gas pipeline go?

Route engineers are currently working to ensure viability, depending on conversations with residents and businesses along the proposed pipeline path. From these conversations, Texas Gas intends to map a specific, finalized route and conduct more outreach.

“The route is under development and subject to change, which is why we have only shared the broader regional maps,” officials said. “Later, we plan to make a mapping tool available on the website that will allow users to see more specific information about the proposed pipeline in relation to their property.”

Based on the landowners who received land survey requests and preliminary maps from the developer, it is expected the pipeline would pass through parts of far southeastern Jefferson County, as well as Oldham, Hardin, Shelby, Trimble, Bullitt and Spencer counties.

Why does Texas Gas want to survey property?

At the June 23 public meeting, Texas Gas representatives said route engineers survey land during the first stage of planning in order to pin down an exact path that avoids obstructions and potential risks like homes, portions of the watershed and existing septic systems. While landowners are not required to grant permission for Texas Gas to survey their property, it is possible land agents will return and ask again further along in the process.

If route engineers determine a particular property is necessary to the route, they may seek eminent domain, which allows the government to seize ownership of private property for public use so long as it provides “fair compensation” to the owner.

Officials said the survey process results in “very little ground disturbance” in most cases, but some repairs and reforestation may need to be factored into the agreed upon easement compensation in certain cases. When surveying, the land agents typically focus on an area that is approximately 300 feet wide to determine the best location for the permanent 50-foot right-of-way easement.

“Once we’ve assessed the property and determined the route, we work directly with each landowner to agree on a right-of-way easement and fair compensation for both the temporary and permanent use of their property,” Texas Gas representatives said.

Reporter Ruby Grisin can be reached at rgrisin@usatodayco.com.