Protest planned in North Charleston over proposed natural gas plant near the ACE Basin
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The Charleston Climate Coalition will hold a rally Tuesday to protest Dominion Energy’s proposal to build one of the nation’s largest natural gas plants along the Edisto River.
Plans would also require a new pipeline be constructed through the ACE Basin, one of the largest areas of undeveloped wetland/upland ecosystems on the Atlantic coast, to fuel the plant.
The natural gas plant would be located at the former Old Dominion Coal Site in Colleton County.
State-owned utility Santee Cooper says the plant would generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity annually and serve as a major power source for South Carolina.
Environmental groups, however, warn that the project could carry significant public health and ecological risks. The Charleston Climate Coalition argues the plant would threaten local climate goals, pollute the air for more than two million residents, and endanger the ACE Basin watershed.
Their concerns are echoed in a Harvard Data Science Initiative report commissioned by the Southern Environmental Law Center. The analysis estimates the proposed Canadys plant would emit at least 16.43 tons of fine particulate matter each year. Experts say exposure to fine particulate pollution increases the risk of heart attacks, pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health issues, adding that no level of exposure is considered safe.
When asked for comment about the project, Dominion Energy said the facility is essential to meeting rising electricity demand and supporting economic growth across the state.
“With proven technology and state-of-the-art environmental protections, this reliable, highly efficient natural gas-fueled facility will help secure South Carolina’s energy future,” a company representative said.
The utility also emphasized that the Canadys site already has an established industrial footprint, reducing the need to clear new land. Dominion noted the location’s strong transmission connections and said the plant will use advanced air‑cooling systems to minimize water consumption.
“Located approximately 40 miles northwest of Charleston in Colleton County, it is strategically positioned at the energy intersection of the Lowcountry. In addition to its robust electric transmission interconnectivity with major load centers, it is also near existing and planned Santee Cooper electric transmission lines,” the company said in its statement to News 2.
“The state-of-the-art facility will incorporate advanced air-cooling technology. This will result in exceptionally efficient use of water resources and minimal impacts to the Edisto River or groundwater resources. Canadys Station will use 90 percent less water than the retired coal-fired generating plant that previously operated at the site,” Dominion Energy added.
The protest is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday outside Dominion Energy’s North Charleston offices.
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