SC temporarily halts operations at Fort Mill solar plant after chemical spill

FORT MILL, S.C. — South Carolina is temporarily halting operations at a Fort Mill solar plant.

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services officials told Silfab Solar in a letter it is appropriate to cease receipt of any additional chemicals and pause start-up until an investigation is complete after a spill happened Tuesday morning at the facility.

State officials said they believe Silfab received chemicals before becoming operational, which was part of the decision to put a pause on its operations.

Silfab said the spill was no more than 300 gallons of water containing potassium hydroxide to a level of 0.03% at the facility on Logistic Lane.

Most of it was released beyond an area of containment and to a nearby stormwater retention pond, officials said.

“The situation is under control. We are working with our local emergency services and there is no danger to public safety,” Silfab said in a Tuesday morning statement.

The company notified the York County Office of Emergency Management immediately, which responded to the scene within three minutes of the spill and confirmed the incident posed no danger to the public. There were no injuries. The county then notified the state. The incident was also reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, officials said.

S.C. Department of Environmental Services sent the letter, which also stated, “The facility shall fully cooperate and take all appropriate action to ensure the safety of the public and the environment.”

Opposition

Neighbors have fought for years to keep Silfab from opening due to concerns about chemicals near homes and schools in an area that has been deemed light industrial.

However, York County leaders say they granted a certificate of occupancy for the plant to become fully operational Feb. 13.

“And it’s one of these instances where we don’t want to say, I told you so. This is light industrial and they’re using hazardous, high quantities of toxic chemicals, building a chemical storage building,” said Scott Jensen, Citizens Alliance for Government Integrity.

“I have been very concerned about this from day one, which has been about almost three years ago,” said York County Councilwoman Debi Cloninger.

There is no word on when that investigation we’ll wrap up.

We’re asking for a response to the state’s decision to stop operations.

York County leaders said they were guaranteed that the spill did not involve a substance that posed a risk to nearby school children. They said they are ready to work with agencies investigating the incident.

The Fort Mill School District said it verified with Citadel Environmental Health and Safety that no air contaminants were found on school sites, so the school day wasn’t impacted.

What is potassium hydroxide?

According to the National Institutes of Health, potassium hydroxide is corrosive to metals and to human tissue. It’s noncombustible, meaning it won’t catch fire. It’s used in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining and cleaning compounds.

So far, it is not clear what caused the spill.

It was initially reported by the Fort Mill School District that about 1,500 gallons spilled and was contained.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

VIDEO: Parents express concerns about chemicals used at Silfab Solar near school

Parents express concerns about chemicals used at Silfab Solar near school

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