New $3.7B gas pipeline proposed to carry fuel across Alabama, Georgia, into Florida market

A proposal to build a $3.7 billion pipeline carrying natural gas from Alabama into Florida is raising protests from Georgia landowners.

Spectra Energy Partners LP and NextEra Energy Inc. want federal permission to build about 600 miles of pipeline carrying natural gas from Alabama, across southwest Georgia and toward gas-fired power plants in Florida.

The firms hope to get the necessary approval in late 2015 or early 2016. The pipeline would start operating in mid-2017.

Residents near Albany are protesting the plan because it would require building a pollution-emitting compression station near their homes. Media mogul Ted Turner's company is opposing the plan. Former U.S. Sen Bob Graham's family is fighting plans to have the pipeline cross its cattle farm.