Richard kinder
Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Kinder Morgan
Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Kinder Morgan. Kinder Morgan is the largest operator of natural gas pipelines across the United States, which “contribute to about 40% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S” through its ownership of or interest in roughly 83,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines. Kinder used his wealth, power and position to help elect Trump in 2024 and roll-back climate regulation, restrictions of use of public lands, and a federal moratorium on LNG exports.
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Birthday: October 19, 1944
Hometown: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Primary residence: West Bend, Wisconsin
Current role: Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Kinder Morgan
Net worth/salary: At least $11.3B according to Forbes (September 2025)
Education:
University of Missouri (BA) (1966)
University of Missouri (JD) (1968)
Board memberships, affiliations, and roles:
Chairman of the Kinder Foundation
Director at Enron Oil & Gas Co (1985-)
Past roles:
Chairman of Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
Vice Chairman of the National Petroleum Council
Director at Waste Management (1997-1999)
Director at Baker Hughes (1994-2004)
Director at Transocean (1994-2002)
President at Enron (1985-1996)
Executive at Florida Gas Transmission (1980-1985)
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Richard Kinder is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI), the largest operator of natural gas pipelines in the US, with ownership of or interest in roughly 83,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines. KMI transports roughly 800 million cubic feet of CO2 and produces over 50,000 barrels of oil daily.
Air Quality Violations
In April 2025, the Bay Area Air District fined Kinder Morgan $226,990 for air quality violations. The penalty also addresses Notices of Violation found by the Air District at KMI’s fuel terminals in Richmond and San Jose in 2022 and 2023.
The Trans Mountain Pipeline
In 2005, KMI purchased Terasen Inc., a Canadian company, for $5.6B, expanding the company’s footprint in Canada and accessing Canadian oilsands through the Trans Mountain Pipeline. In 2012, KMI proposed an expansion to the Pipeline that would increase the production of oil to 890,000 barrels of tar sand oil/day, costing an estimated $5.4B.
The proposed expansion would directly impact First Nations, including Squamish, Tsleilwaututh, Coldwater, and more. Members of the First Nations didn’t consent to the project and have actively fought against its expansion, filing an appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal in 2018. The Federal Court of Appeal ruled that the Canadian government failed to consider the impacts that the project would have on members of the First Nations. However, in 2019 the project received re-approval and a following appeal made by several First Nations was dismissed in 2020.
In 2018, KMI sold the Trans Mountain Pipeline System and its Expansion Project to the Canadian Government for C$4.5B.
The Cumberland Project
KMI has proposed a natural gas pipeline to run through several Tennessee counties and to be operated by its subsidiary, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company LLC. The pipeline would provide roughly 245 million cubic ft. per day of natural gas transportation to the Tennessee Valley Authority. The proposed pipeline will span over 32 miles and is estimated to cost $184.8M. Environmental groups have sued KMI, arguing that the pipeline would cause a large impact on the surrounding environment and people.
2014 South Carolina Pipeline Spill
In 2014, Kinder Morgan’s Plantation Pipeline in South Carolina ruptured and spilled roughly 369,000 gallons of gasoline in Anderson County. Local creeks and land were contaminated by the spill and significant amounts of gasoline have yet to be recovered by the company.
In 2016, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit for Upstate Forever and Savannah Riverkeeper against KMI, calling out the company for Clean Water Act violations following the Spill. The defendants asked KMI to stop discharging petroleum pollution into their water systems, remove gasoline from the area, improve upstream groundwater treatment, and pay fines for future pollution. KMI risks being fined $51,570 per violation per day under the Clean Water Act. KMI took the case to the Supreme Court for further review regarding the penalizable offenses in the Clean Water Act.
Failing to Meet GHG Targets
KMI failed to set a Net-Zero by 2050 target, or any other GHG emission reduction targets that align with the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit warming to 1.5℃. The company has also received a score of E by LobbyMap for their climate policy engagement.
Silencing Protestors
In 2018, KMI filed a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) to silence peaceful protestors criticizing the Trans Mountain Pipeline. The lawsuit implies that the 15 defendants and any member of the public is at risk of being arrested if they come within 50m of a Kinder Morgan facility.
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According to Forbes, as of September 10th 2025, Richard Kinder’s net worth is $11.3B.
Assets (WealthX)
$400,000 in property in West Bend, Wisconsin
$1M of stake in a 2014 Bombardier Global 5000
$2.5 of stake on a 2013 Bombardier Global Business Jet
Recognition
In 2021, Richard Kinder was presented with the Robert C. McNair Civic Leadership Award by the Greater Houston Partnership due to his philanthropic giving.
In 2020, Richard Kinder was inducted into the University of Missouri Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame for his success in his field.
Kinder Morgan was featured by Fortune Magazine on its list of “Most Admired Companies in America”, having been acknowledged as the top company regardless of industry for “Quality of Management.”
In 2005, Richard Kinder was the recipient of Morningstar’s CEO of the year award
Philanthropy
Richard Kinder and his wife, Nancy, set up the Kinder Foundation in 1997, reportedly distributing over $621.4M in grants. In 2024, the Kinder Foundation donated $46,400 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and $10,000 to Alamo PAC.
When Morgan and his wife married, they signed Warren Buffet and the Gates’ Giving Pledge, where they opted to donate 95% of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
The Kinder Foundation donated $81.7M to the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University
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Richard Kinder is the co-founder and executive chairman of Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI), the largest operator of natural gas pipelines across the United States, contributing to “about 40% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S” through its ownership of or interest in roughly 83,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines. KMI transports roughly 800 million cubic feet of CO2 and produces over 50,000 barrels of oil daily. KMI is also the “largest independent terminal operator in North America”, with 139 terminals to store its client’s renewable fuels, petroleum products, and chemicals.
KMI publishes annual Sustainability Reports, where it discloses its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. KMI’s sustainability report outlines its “Methane Emission Reduction Commitment”, where it notes that a reduction in methane would benefit the company as it “maximizes the amount of natural gas kept in our pipelines and delivered to our customers.” In its 2024 report, KMI stated that its methane emission intensity target is to reach “0.31% of our natural gas transmission and storage operations” by the end of 2025.
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In 2024, protestors from the Appalachian Voices and Sierra Club filed a request for a stay regarding Kinder Morgan’s proposed Cumberland Project, which plans to build a 32-mile gas pipeline in Tennessee.
In 2018, Greenpeace Canada filed a complaint to the Alberta Securities Commission regarding Kinder Morgan's failure to disclose climate-related risks in its first annual report.
In 2018, activists from Greenpeace USA and Mosquito Fleet successfully blocked an oil barge from entering Kinder Morgan’s facilities by locking themselves onto the pier.
In 2017, a 98-year-old activist from the Sugar Shack Alliance was arrested during a protest near the Kinder Morgan pipeline extension project.
In 2016, environmental groups Upstate Forever and Savannah Riverkeeper filed a suit against Kinder Morgan for polluting water in Anderson County, South Carolina, following an oil spill. The suit calls out Kinder Morgan for violating the Clean Water Act and for the company to stop polluting the waterway.
In 2016, activists from the Comox Valley chapter of the Council of Canadians protested Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline. Activists from the Chapter argued that the pipeline violates the rights of the First Nations by not requesting consent.
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"With historic growing natural gas demand forecasts, a positive federal regulatory environment, and highly supportive federal permitting agencies, the future for our company is very bright," - July 2025
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Government ties
Richard Kinder’s Political Donations
$1,000,000 to Right to Rise USA on 6/8/2015
$250,000 to Greg Abbott (R) on 9/9/2022
$100,000 on 4/10/2014
$100,000 on 6/10/2014
$50,000 on 8/24/2011
$240,000 to Republican National State Elections Committee on 5/31/2000
$41,300 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee
$35,500 on 8/11/2020
$35,500 on 12/12/2019
$33,900 on 5/31/2018
$32,400 on 3/31/2013
$30,800 on 2/6/2012
PR firms
Kinder Morgan appears to have its own in-house PR/media team.
Lobbying
Kinder Morgan Inc. 2025 Lobbying (as of Sept. 2025)
Kinder Morgan Inc. 2024 Lobbying
Law firms
Bracewell LLP
In 2022, Bracewell LLP represented Kinder Morgan in during its $135M acquisition of North American Natural Resources In.c and its sister companies.
In 2021, Bracewell represented Kinder Morgan during its acquisition of Statecoach Gas Services LLC, a natural gas pipeline, costing $1.225B.
In 2015, Bracewell represented Kinder Morgan during its $3B purchase of Hiland Partners. Hiland Partners was founded by Harold Hamm, American oil and gas magnate.
Bracewell LLP was featured in LSCA’s 2025 Climate Scorecard as a European case study due to their strong ties to fossil fuels.
In 2018, Kinder Morgan hired the law firm Hogan Lovells to lobby on the “impact of the imposition of steel tariffs on pipeline construction.” Hogan Lovells is featured on Law Students for Climate Accountability’s (LSCA) 2025 Climate Scorecard, receiving a score of F for their engagement with fossil fuel companies.
In 2014, numerous large firms including Baker Botts, Bracewell LLP, Vinson & Elkins, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges advised Kinder Morgan Inc. during its $70B merger of its “outstanding equity securities.” The merger is the largest merger & acquisition deal since Exxon and Mobil merged in 1999. The deal resulted in Kinder Morgan becoming the “largest energy infrastructure company in North America”, estimated to value $140B. All four firms involved in the merger are listed on LSCA’s 2025 Climate Scorecard, with all but Weil, Gotshal & Manges receiving a score of an F (Weil, et al., received a D).
Insurance companies
Kinder Morgan has been insured by Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited (AEGIS) under its “Excess Liability Insurance Policy” and by Energy Insurance Mutual Limited (EIM) under its “Following Form Excess General Liability Indemnity Policy.”
Think tanks / think tank networks / policy institutes / research centers
Kinder Morgan created the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, a think tank based at Rice University in Texas, that focuses on research and political action. Richard Kinder and his Wife, Nancy, endowed the Institute with $15M through the Kinder Foundation.
The Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy was founded by the Kinder Foundation in 2015 and is based at the University of Missouri. The research center focuses on research and education on “the subjects of political thought, history, and institutions, with a particular emphasis on the ideas and events of the American Founding.”
Trade groups / industry associations
Richard Kinder’s Memberships
Former Chairman of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
Former Vice Chairman of the National Petroleum Council
Kinder Morgan’s 2024 Memberships
American Gas Association; Received a score of F for its climate policy engagement
American Maritime Partnership
Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
Colorado Chamber of Commerce; Colorado Oil and Gas Association
Energy Infrastructure Council
GPA Midstream Association
Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Received a score of E- for its climate policy engagement
International Liquid Terminals Association
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America; Interstate Natural Gas Association of America Foundation
Liquid Energy Pipeline Association
New Mexico Oil and Gas Association
Pipeline Research Council International
Southern Gas Association
Texas Oil & Gas Association; Received a score of F for its climate policy engagement
Texas Pipeline Association
Kinder Morgan participates with a group partnered with the American Petroleum Institute (API), called the Pipeline SMS Group.
Private foundations
Richard Kinder and his wife, Nancy, set up the Kinder Foundation in 1997, reportedly distributing over $621.4M in grants. In 2024, the Kinder Foundation donated $46,400 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and $10,000 to Alamo PAC. The Foundation’s assets in 2024 totalled to over $293M.
In May 2025, Richard and Nancy pledged $150M to create the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center at the Texas Children’s Hospital.
Higher education related institutions
Kinder Morgan is a member of the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center, which is run by Colorado State University.
Kinder Morgan is an affiliate member at the Stanford Natural Gas Initiative, based at Stanford University.
Kinder Morgan created the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, a think tank based at Rice University in Texas, that focuses on research and political action.
The Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy was founded by the Kinder Foundation in 2015 and is based at the University of Missouri. The research center focuses on research and education on “the subjects of political thought, history, and institutions, with a particular emphasis on the ideas and events of the American Founding.”