Regulators Ignore Community Concerns on Edisto Gas Plant and Pipeline
In March and April 2026, regulators at the Public Service Commission (PSC) held public hearings on Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper’s proposed gas plant, located in the ACE Basin on the banks of the Edisto River. Community members showed up in force, criticizing the proposal for its impacts on South Carolina’s clean air, natural lands, and electric bills. Despite strong opposition to the plant, when regulators had the chance to ask Dominion and Santee Cooper questions, they waved away community concerns over these issues.
Customers in public hearings repeatedly raised concerns over the high cost of the Edisto gas power plant, fearing that costs would fall on everyday South Carolinians, when large customers like data centers are driving the increase in demand.
“Have the Commission really sat with the idea of what [new energy generation] is actually needed for the population growth and for the working class in South Carolina, and what’s actually needed for big tech and industry? Because the truth is, the working class in South Carolina will hold that burden, and not big tech or industry.”
Kenni Cummings, SC Tenant Union
“We know what the environmental effects will be. What we don’t know is the cost of the fuel and what it will be in seven, seventeen, or twenty-seven years…Recent global events have taught us that fossil fuel markets are anything but predictable.”
Donald McInnes, Community Member
“My understanding is that the price of this gas plant has increased. I think the original estimate was that it would be about $2.5 billion and that increased to $5 billion. We’ve also seen recently with some of the conflicts occurring in Iran that there is volatility within the natural gas prices. We’ve also seen that with…the demand for data centers that the cost of gas turbines has actually increased 195%.”
Hirak Pati, CVSC Advocate
However, Commissioner questions to Dominion and Santee Cooper waved off the cost issue.
“The cost is not the issue today.”
Commissioner Delton Powers
“The cost of this facility ultimately may be more than the current estimate of $5 billion.”
Commissioner Justin Williams
Community members also repeatedly asked for the protection of the ACE Basin (one of the largest, most pristine undeveloped estuaries on the Atlantic Coast), which will be at risk from new pollution from the plant, the proposed pipeline needed to service the plant, and new industry locating in the area to use the new gas and power.
“I know a little bit about the ACE Basin…Having been the person who negotiated the first tracts of land to form the ACE Basin, now there are many more. I understand the fragility of that area. Can you imagine all the new gas pipelines that will be dug into the ACE Basin and disrupt the ecosystems that exist there, not to mention the families that live in the area?”
LaBruce Alexander, Community Member
“The gas plant’s massive size and its position on the edge of one of the longest, free-flowing black water rivers in [South] Carolina threatens the integrity of the ACE [Basin]’s fragile ecosystem. The larger the plant, the larger the pipeline, the greater the potential for air and water pollution and environmental degradation. The larger the plant, the greater the surge in population and industrialization, with heightened negative health effects on the residents who live here, and have lived here for generations.”
Judith Kramer, CVSC Advocate
Similarly, affected landowners worried about the impacts of the pipeline on their private land.
“Kinder Morgan will construct and bury pipe along the route, retaining permanent access and restricting landowners’ usage. This is a major tragedy for our landowners, our families, our farmers, and our wetlands. This community has worked religiously to maintain the property that has been acquired [for the pipeline], and for companies seeking profits to now come in and dictate to property owners the hows, the whys, the whens of a property is truly absurd and should be unethical.”
Jeffery Salley, Impacted Landowner
“My wife and I are property owners directly affected by the proposed methane gas pipeline route that is planned to cross our property. I stand firmly in opposition to this proposal and respectfully request that the route be reconsidered.”
Christopher Suits, Impacted Landowner
“I’m an affected landowner whose timber has provided a livelihood and education funds for my family for one hundred years…This pipeline will create great harm to these vital resources. It will cross 75 waterways and will be very close to rural families’ drinking water wells.”
Debo Boddiford, Impacted Landowner
Again, Commissioners were unconcerned about the plant’s impact on the ACE Basin, despite environmental impact being one of the issues under consideration.
“This plant cannot affect the ACE Basin.”
Commissioner Delton Powers
The PSC’s decision on the Edisto gas plant is due in June. However, the pipeline application has not yet been filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which has jurisdiction over interstate pipelines like this one. CVSC will keep you informed when action opportunities arise. Despite obstacles, we’ll keep raising our voices to protect South Carolina’s unique wild places.