FORT MILL, S.C. — South Carolina’s attorney general is demanding answers from Silfab Solar after a chemical spill Tuesday at the Fort Mill solar plant sparked a state investigation. Now, state regulators are demanding the startup pause operations.
Despite the demand from state environmental officials, Channel 9’s South Carolina reporter Tina Terry saw several cars in the parking lot both overnight and Wednesday morning.
The Department of Environmental Services made that order after the chemical spill, involving 300 gallons of potassium hydroxide. In that letter, the SCDES expressed concerns about the spill and also said they believe Silfab Solar received chemicals at the site before becoming operational. They called for a pause in the startup until they can complete an investigation.
On Wednesday afternoon, the solar plant confirmed it paused chemical deliveries as state health workers investigate the chemical spill.
“So many emotions. I think nerve wracking, unsettling, anger,” said neighbor Lisa Gunter. “And just out of precaution, went to go pick my son up from school early.”
In a statement late Wednesday, Silfab Solar doubled down on previous statements saying: “The leak was confined to a small area on the Silfab property and did not pose a danger to the community or our employees.”
However, South Carolina’s Department of Environmental Services demanded that the company stop receiving chemicals until SCDES can wrap up an investigation into the spill and look into claims the company received chemicals before it was supposed to.
South Carolina Rep. David Martin and Sen. Michael Johnson took to Facebook Wednesday: “Up until now this has been a county issue - the citing of this plant was a county decision - but now they’ve endangered people. We’re going to do everything we can to push.”
And South Carolina’s attorney general sent a letter to Silfab with a list of questions about safety demanding answers no later than March 13.
“I am encouraged, and I hope that the eyes on really leads to the details in the process so that no pieces are missed and that it can be fully vetted out and hopefully completely closed for good,” Gunter said.
Channel 9 also got a statement from Fort Mill Schools on Wednesday afternoon.
It said the chemical spill " ... underscores the concerns raised regarding the safe operation of this facility in our community and has clearly demonstrated the need for additional action."
It says it wants findings of the investigation and any required actions to be made public.
York County also released a statement tonight saying it looks forward to the state investigation.
A South Carolina House subcommittee will discuss a bill on Thursday, which would allow a county or city to withdraw permits if the property is not being used the way it is zoned.
Rep. Martin of Fort Mill cited the Silfab project as motivation for the legislation.
The following are full statements released on Wednesday:
Silfab:
“Silfab Solar is cooperating with DES during its investigation of the minor leak of approximately 300 gallons of water that contained a small amount of potassium hydroxide at our facility on March 3. The leak was confined to a small area on the Silfab property and did not pose a danger to the community or our employees. The leak has been cleared, and we are undertaking remediation efforts in coordination with DES and York County.
“We have paused chemical deliveries until authorization from DES. In the meantime, Silfab maintains operations safely and responsibly. At the direction of DES, Silfab will only re-start deliveries once all regulatory requirements are satisfied. We are committed to preventing similar incidents in the future. The safety of our employees and the community remain our top priority.”
Fort Mill School Board and District Administration:
“Dear Fort Mill Parents, Staff, and Community,
“In light of the recent events at the Silfab Solar facility, the Fort Mill School Board and District Administration are issuing the following statement.
“Regarding the incident that occurred the morning of Tuesday, March 3, we first extend our thanks to the first responders who arrived on scene quickly to manage the situation. While we are relieved this specific event did not pose an immediate risk to the community, our team is currently reviewing the actions of both our staff and partnering entities to identify and address areas where improvements should be made. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment, and we will continue to work tirelessly to uphold that standard.
“The district has continued to engage with York County Emergency Management, Citadel EHS, and representatives from Silfab Solar to understand the facility’s processes, safety systems and emergency response protocols. This incident underscores the concerns raised regarding the safe operation of this facility in our community and has clearly demonstrated the need for additional action. While the district lacks legal authority regarding the placement or permitting of commercial businesses, we are formally joining Senator Johnson, Senator Climer, Representative Martin, and Representative Terribile in their request that the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services cease all operations at the Silfab Solar facility.
“We have received confirmation that an investigation is underway and we believe the suspension should remain in effect until a thorough investigation of the incident and a comprehensive review of all safety protocols and response systems are completed, and any identified concerns are properly addressed. We also request that the findings of the investigation and any required actions be made public.
“In conjunction with this request, the district is also supporting Representative Martin’s proposed legislation. This measure would grant York County Council the necessary authority to revoke permits and halt operations, when a business is found to be out of compliance with zoning laws.
“As a result of these recent events, we are calling upon those with the governing authority to address this situation and continue to partner with the district to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.”
York County:
“York County understands the concerns of our community related to yesterday’s incident at Silfab Solar and shares in the disappointment surrounding the chemical release. York County does not have investigative authority, but looks forward to a thorough review of the incident and stands ready to work and coordinate with the regulatory agency overseeing the matter, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.
“York County wants to express sincere appreciation to our emergency responders, the York County Emergency Management Office, and partnering agencies for their quick response, which helped to minimize impacts and ensure public safety. Despite reports to the contrary, our emergency responders were onsite within three minutes of the initial 911 call reporting the incident.
“We understand there is confusion about why the initial report of 1,530 gallons released was reduced to 300 gallons. The original figure came from Silfab’s reporting through their 9-1-1 call. With time, Silfab adjusted their estimate, and the figure was able to be independently confirmed by emergency responders onsite.
“Emergency responders also confirmed that the chemical release was fully contained onsite at Silfab, which has several measures in place to mitigate environmental impacts.
“While this incident did not pose a threat to public safety, we regret it happened and look forward to accountability and improvement from Silfab. We are committed to continuous improvement in service to our community and will review our own communication response process as well.
York County Council Chairwoman Christi P. Cox:
“Immediately following the events yesterday morning at the Silfab facility, on behalf of the council, I have personally been in constant and direct communications with County Management, Emergency Management Services, York County Sheriff, legal advisors, and numerous officials with the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.
“We have also personally engaged with Fort Mill School District Officials and Town of Fort Mill officials. Our entire council takes these issues very seriously and are monitoring these events very closely.We have been in regular communications with SCDES officials yesterday and today. While we have been repeatedly advised by the regulatory authorities in charge that nobody in our community was at any risk of potential harm or exposure, I am confident that SCDES understands what is at stake and is investigating this situation thoroughly and completely. We have been personally assured that they are using their best resources to get to the bottom of the situation and that they will communicate their findings to the County as soon as the results of their investigation are available. We have also confirmed that Silfab is not receiving any chemical shipments while SCDES conducts its investigation.County officials confirmed that all response systems in place on the county’s end worked as designed and that all county response teams were immediately on site after notification.
“Should SCDES determine through its investigation efforts that there is a public health and safety concern exposing our community to harm, rest assured we will take that information seriously and take any legally permissible action necessary to ensure our community is protected.
“It is critically important that any decisions in this matter be based upon facts, truth and in accordance with the law. Despite social media posts suggesting otherwise, Council did not rezone this property, and the zoning issues are jurisdictionally before the circuit court (not council) for decision and interpretation. Official updates with facts regarding this matter will be timely made through the County website.”
VIDEO: Hazmat team responds to chemical spill at Silfab Solar in Fort Mill
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