Charleston Climate Coalition to protest Dominion Energy's proposed gas plant

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Environmental advocates will rally Tuesday outside Dominion Energy’s Charleston headquarters to oppose plans for a massive natural gas plant along the Edisto River and a pipeline through the ACE Basin.

The Charleston Climate Coalition (CCC) is organizing the press conference and protest, scheduled for 11 a.m. at 2390 Aviation Ave. Speakers from CCC and partner organizations, including Edisto Riverkeeper, New Disabled South, UWA and the South Carolina Tenant Union will be in attendance. Organizers say the project would harm consumers, accelerate climate change, and threaten one of South Carolina’s most ecologically sensitive areas.

Dominion’s proposed Canadays Gas Plant would be among the largest in the nation, according to CCC. The group says the facility and pipeline would pollute the air, affecting more than 2 million people and jeopardizing the ACE Basin watershed.

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“Dominion Energy makes a lot of decisions that hurt us and our natural landscape in the name of profit,” CCC Director Belvin Olasov stated. “We’re tired of industrial exploitation of the ACE Basin in the name of profit and data centers.”

The rally marks the start of CCC’s campaign urging the South Carolina Public Service Commission to reject the project. Dominion Energy stated that the plant is necessary to meet growing energy demands, but critics argue renewable alternatives have not been fully explored.

Those interested in joining the rally can sign up for free online.