In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Belvin Olasov, Director of the Charleston Climate Coalition, a grassroots organization of passionate Lowcountry citizens working to accelerate local climate solutions through creativity, compassion, and community action.
We dive deep into the Coalition’s incredible work — from developing Climate Action Plans for the Town of James Island and Charleston County, to building rain gardens, planting native species, and advocating for better transportation infrastructure like safer bike lanes downtown.
But the heart of this conversation focuses on a critical environmental fight: stopping Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper’s proposed methane gas plant on the Edisto River, and the dangerous pipeline route planned through the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge — one of the largest undeveloped wetland ecosystems left on the Atlantic coast.
We recorded this episode last week, but I had an opportunity to learn even more about the proposed methane gas plant while author, environmentalist and founder of 350.org, Bill McKibben, was in Charleston this week talking about his new book, Here Comes the Sun as well as showing his support for opposing the methane gas plant. Joel Caldwell from the M.A.R.S.H. Project, Belvin Olasov and Bill McKibben are picture here (L to R).
Protecting One of the South’s Last Wild Wetlands
The ACE Basin — where the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers meet — is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries left on the Atlantic Coast. It’s a rare place where bald eagles soar above ancient cypress swamps, red-cockaded woodpeckers nest in old pine stands, and loggerhead sea turtles return to nest each year.
But this ecological treasure is under threat. Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper have proposed building a massive methane gas plant on the Edisto River, along with pipelines that would cut directly through the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge — one of the most biologically rich ecosystems in the Southeast.
Why the Methane Gas Megaproject is the Wrong Direction
This project represents 20th-century thinking in a 21st-century world that’s rapidly transitioning toward renewable energy and electrification. The $2 billion methane facility would:
- Emit huge amounts of greenhouse gases, accelerating climate change.
- Release particulate matter that harms both human health and wildlife.
- Risk polluting the wetlands and rivers that support the ACE Basin’s delicate ecosystem.
- Be funded by ratepayers, meaning you and I would foot the bill for an outdated fossil fuel project.
As the world moves toward solar, wind, and storage technologies, investing billions into new methane infrastructure is not only dangerous — it’s economically irresponsible.
What You Can Do
Protecting the ACE Basin and South Carolina’s climate future depends on public action. I also agree with CCC in that we need to call on Dominion Energy to expand their use of solar, wind, and battery storage technology, instead of investing in fossil fuels. These can be installed much faster than a large methane gas plant (2 – 3 years versus 7 – 10), and would support the growing regional clean energy economy, which now supports over a million jobs in the Southeast. Here’s how you can help:
- Sign the petition to oppose the Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper methane gas plant.
- Share this episode of The Sustainable Angler to raise awareness.
- Support local climate action by getting involved with the Charleston Climate Coalition.
Visit www.charlestonclimatecoalition.org to take action today.
The Bottom Line
The ACE Basin is a living reminder of what makes South Carolina special — wild, beautiful, and worth protecting. Building a methane gas megaproject through it would harm our communities, our climate, and our economy.
Listen to this powerful episode of The Sustainable Angler anywhere you stream your podcasts, and join the movement to defend the ACE Basin.
Special thanks to Belvin and Charleston Climate Coalition for everything they are doing to help Charlestonians take climate action. It’s important work, and I am grateful for their efforts!
Available now on The Sustainable Angler and wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening, and if you like what you are hearing, please consider leaving a Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
This episode is brought to you by Emerger Strategies, and A New Earth Project, the sustainability initiative of Atlantic Packaging.
