A two-year battle for industrial accountability in York County is entering a critical legal phase. The grassroots organization Move Silfab, comprised of residents living near the Silfab Solar facility, has secured a court date of May 26 to argue their case regarding alleged permit violations and public health risks according to WCNC.
The group’s legal challenge centers on the facility’s proximity to residential neighborhoods and schools. Organizers maintain that recent chemical spills at the plant have validated their long-standing warnings about the dangers of high-intensity manufacturing in a “Light Industrial” zone.
Group leaders contend that the facility is operating without proper zoning compliance. According to Move Silfab, the property’s documented legal use is limited to distribution rather than manufacturing. They argue that a formal “change of use” was never applied for or granted, rendering the current solar cell production illegal under local statutes.
The push for transparency gained significant momentum last week when South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson intervened. Wilson submitted a formal request to York County Commission Chair Christi Cox, requesting answers regarding the specific process used to grant Silfab its operating permits.
For many residents, the involvement of the state’s highest law enforcement authority provides a sense of optimism. Neighbors have expressed frustration over what they describe as a lack of transparency from county officials regarding the plant’s internal safety protocols.
While the cause of the most recent chemical leaks remains under investigation by state and federal regulators, Move Silfab members are focusing their efforts on the upcoming May hearing. The group intends to present evidence that the county bypassed standard legal procedures when allowing the facility to begin manufacturing operations.
The facility remains under a state-mandated shutdown until a full risk management review is completed.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
