Fort Mill School District steps into legal battle over Silfab Solar plant

FORT MILL, S.C. — The Fort Mill School District is officially stepping into a heated legal battle between neighbors, York County, and Silfab Solar.

In an emergency meeting, the school board said it wants a judge to consider the district’s health and safety concerns about the solar company.

South Carolina reporter Tina Terry was there as the school board voted. The decision has some neighbors and parents excited and relieved. That’s because Silfab Solar sits right behind a brand-new Fort Mill Middle School.

Parents are concerned about the chemicals the plant uses, and they’ve been asking the district to get involved in this legal battle.

“Martin Luther King once said it’s always the right time to do the right thing. So although this took a while, we’re happy that the right thing’s being done,” said Fort Mill neighbor Andy Lytle, who’s grateful for this emergency vote by Fort Mill’s school board.

“All those in favor say aye. Those opposed say nay. Motion passes,” a school board member said.

The district will file a legal motion asking a judge to hear its concerns before deciding what Silfab is legally allowed to do at its Fort Mill plant.

“In order to ensure the teachers, staff and families of the district are adequately represented,” a board member said.

“Yeah, so obviously the safety of our schools, all of our schools, regardless of whatever the issue may be, is a top priority for the district,” Joe Burke said.

We told you there were two chemical leaks at the plant in March. Silfab said no one was at risk.

But neighbors were concerned, and class at nearby Flint Hill Elementary was disrupted.

In July, a judge affirmed a York County zoning board’s ruling that said solar panel manufacturing is prohibited in a light industrial district. But the judge stopped short of saying Silfab has to stop production using chemicals.

“I think that the county’s looking for clarity, Silfab’s looking for clarity. I think the school and CAGI from representing the citizens want to make sure that the entire picture is understood by the judge so that he can make an informed decision,” a neighbor said.

Silfab said it could soon restart testing its solar-cell production equipment, which involves gases and chemicals.

The school district urged state leaders to block chemical deliveries and commissioning, require additional safety testing and monitoring, and explore relocating manufacturing operations. It also publicly announced that it was evaluating legal options.

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