Tennessee Gas Files FERC Request for Cumberland River Pipeline Integrity Project

Tennessee Gas Pipeline has asked FERC to approve a $16 million project to replace two natural gas pipeline crossings beneath the Cumberland River in Tennessee, allowing the company to complete federally required integrity assessments.

(P&GJ) — Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. (TGP) has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for authorization to move forward with a $16 million pipeline replacement project beneath the Cumberland River in Cheatham County, Tennessee.

The company filed its request July 15 under its blanket certificate authority, proposing to replace existing 24-inch-diameter sections of Line Nos. 500-1 and 800-1 with new 30-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline segments where the lines cross beneath the Cumberland River. The project also includes abandoning the existing 24-inch pipeline segments in place and replacing four 24-inch mainline valves with new 30-inch valves on both sides of the river.

Known as the Cumberland River HDD Project, the upgrade is intended to allow Tennessee Gas Pipeline to perform federally required integrity assessments under the terms of a special permit issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

FERC's notice opens a public comment, protest and intervention period for the project. Unless protests are filed—or any protests filed are later withdrawn—the request could become automatically authorized under the Commission's blanket certificate regulations. Comments, protests and motions to intervene are due by 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 25, 2026.

If approved, the project would modernize the river crossing with larger-diameter pipe and valves while enabling TGP to complete integrity work required to maintain compliance with PHMSA safety requirements.