FORT MILL, SC — State environmental regulators have taken the extraordinary step of halting all operations at the new Silfab Solar facility in York County. In a directive issued Thursday, March 5, 2026, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) ordered the facility to “immediately cease all operations” following back-to-back chemical incidents that have rattled the local community.
The order, signed by DES Director Myra C. Reece, comes after a leak of hydrofluoric acid was reported early Thursday morning. This follows a separate release of potassium hydroxide just two days prior, on March 3.
A Week of Incidents
The facility, located at 7149 Logistics Lane, has been under intense scrutiny since it began preparing for operations due to its proximity to Flint Hill Elementary School. This week’s events have intensified those concerns:
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March 3, 2026: A release of potassium hydroxide (a highly corrosive agent) prompted a hazmat response. While initially reported as 1,500 gallons, the estimate was later revised to 300 gallons.
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March 5, 2026: A leak of hydrofluoric acid—described by the CDC as a “serious systemic poison”—occurred. Although officials stated the leak was contained within the building, the proximity to the school led administrators to dismiss students early as a precaution.
The DES Directive
The DES directive is clear: Silfab must stop all “commissioning activities” and place all systems in a safe condition. The order outlines five mandatory steps for the company:
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Cease Operations: All work must stop pending a joint investigation by the DES and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Secure Systems: All equipment must be placed in a safe and secure state.
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Leak Audit: The company must confirm there are no other undisclosed leaks on the site.
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Expert Evaluation: Silfab is required to hire a qualified professional engineer to evaluate their chemical systems and provide those results to the State.
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Immediate Notification: Any future releases must be reported to the Department as soon as possible.
“Silfab’s compliance with this duty must be ensured before commissioning of the facility may be resumed,” the letter states, emphasizing a “general duty” under state and federal law to maintain a safe facility.
Community and Regulatory Backlash
The “Move Silfab” movement, a group of local residents who have long opposed the plant’s location, views these incidents as a confirmation of their worst fears. The facility is situated in a light industrial zone, but critics argue the high-volume use of toxic chemicals like hydrofluoric acid and anhydrous ammonia makes it a “heavy industrial” site that does not belong near a school.
State Senator Michael Johnson and Attorney General Alan Wilson have both expressed concern, with Johnson calling for the York County Council to rescind the facility’s operating licenses entirely.
What’s Next?
Silfab representative Treff MacDonald was given a deadline of 4:00 p.m. today to sign the consent agreement. Failure to comply could result in further legal action by the Department of Environmental Services.
The investigation into the facility’s Risk Management Program will now move forward, with federal EPA oversight ensuring that the facility meets safety standards before a single solar cell can be produced.
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