Lowcountry Residents Fight Gas Megaproject

Environmental organizations and local residents are uniting against a proposed natural gas megaproject in South Carolina's Lowcountry, featuring a power plant near the Edisto River and a 70-plus-mile pipeline. Announced in late 2025, these projects have faced immediate and fierce opposition from landowners and area citizens concerned about pollution and environmental impact.

The pipeline is slated to traverse Hampton and Colleton counties, affecting approximately 185 landowners and the ecologically sensitive ACE Basin watershed. Environmentalists stress that stopping the proposed Canadys power plant is crucial to halting the associated pipeline project, known as the Bridge Project. They contend that the primary driver for this natural gas infrastructure is not domestic heating needs but rather power generation for data centers and export.

Community meetings have been held to inform the public about their rights and avenues for opposition. Landowners are advised that companies cannot legally access their property for surveys or construction without a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Elba Express/Kinder Morgan is expected to apply for this permit by late 2026, with construction potentially beginning in early 2027.

Public hearings are scheduled to allow residents to voice concerns to regulatory bodies. Upcoming hearings for the Canadys power plant include March 23 in Walterboro and April 7 in Columbia. Citizens are encouraged to submit comments to FERC regarding the pipeline, detailing potential impacts on waterways, conservation easements, and communities, as well as to contact elected officials. Environmental advocates highlight past successes in opposing similar projects.