New safety steps proposed for Fort Mill school near solar panel plant

New safety measures are being proposed for Flint Hill Elementary School in Fort Mill due to its proximity to a solar panel manufacturing plant.

A recent environmental report by Citadel EHS, an environmental consulting firm, has outlined several recommendations to ensure the safety of students and staff at Flint Hill Elementary School, which is located near the Silfab Solar manufacturing plant.

District spokesman Joe Burke stated that the district intends to implement the recommendations from the Citadel EHS report.

“That work is now gonna be underway,” Burke said. “We are going to make sure everything is in alignment with their facility as well too.”

The report suggests creating detailed coordinated response protocols for potential emergency scenarios.

It also recommends establishing official emergency response agreements with Silfab and the county, and practicing these responses with school leaders and county emergency workers.

Additionally, the report includes various air and water quality suggestions to further ensure safety.

The air quality results may result in the need for standalone air filters in certain parts of the school, which would be another cost.

District leaders said they are currently looking for grants and other ways to pay for these improvements.

‘Accidents happen’

Jamie Costea was among several parents worried about the chemicals used at the solar plant and the risk of fires or explosions.

Costea said she wishes the report would have gone into greater detail about the risks.

“Acknowledge the potential for an explosion,” Costea said. “Accidents happen. What do we need to be prepared for? That’s the piece that we’ll still need more discussion and more visibility.”

A school board member suggested that more is to come about that.

Statement from Silfab Solar:

“Silfab Solar was pleased to cooperate with the Citadel to help inform their recommendations and robust emergency plans for Fort Mill Schools.

“To further build confidence in the safety of our operations, we welcome future collaboration with the Citadel team and Fort Mill Schools and are supportive of frequent air quality testing along with their other recommendations.”

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