Author: Staff

Written by Timothy J. Hegarty, A Concerned Citizen of York County: By now, it is abundantly clear that SCDES, also known as the SC Department of Environmental Services, would be more appropriately named if referred to as the SC Department of Economic Services as you will come to realize reading this article. Admittedly, the article is a little long but it clearly spells out why the Silfab issue in Fort Mill clearly underscores the impact to citizens when the top environmental regulatory agency in the state restructures to support economic competitiveness over its core environmental responsibilities. The recently issued Compliance Agreement between SCDES and Silfab Solar is an excellent example. The document is dated March 16, 2026, and is intended to allow Silfab to potentially return to the manufacture and production of solar cells and modules following a verified discharge of Potassium Hydroxide and what is described as a drip of Hydrofluoric Acid.  These are the issues I have noted as significantly concerning in this document: Page...

Chemical Spills Bring Crisis to the Community’s Doorstep One must question whether the Attorney General’s immediate inquiry and the release of the date for Silfab’s BZA appeal take on added urgency in light of the events that unfolded at the Silfab facility in the first week of March 2026. On March 3, 2026, a spill of potassium hydroxide prompted a HAZMAT response and drew immediate scrutiny from state regulators. Two days later, a second spill, this time involving hydrofluoric acid, a highly corrosive substance, caused Flint Hill Elementary School, located less than 1,000 feet from the plant, to close and bus students to another facility. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) responded by ordering Silfab to immediately cease all operations pending a joint investigation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Operations partially resumed on March 9 after SCDES and EPA completed their on-site assessment, though Silfab was required to enter a Compliance Agreement and may not restart chemical manufacturing processes until...

On January 6th, the SC Public Interest Foundation wrote a an article outlining events that highlighted problems with the state’s finance and accounting practices from 2012 to the present. These included accusations of lost funds, leading to the resignation of the state’s Comptroller General and a Senate trial of the state’s Treasurer. As reported in the article, the investigation was plagued by accusations and allegations, which undermined citizens' trust in their state government’s financial transparency. The article concluded, “The silver lining is the General Assembly engaged The AlixPartners, an internationally recognized financial accounting firm, to review all aspects of the state’s financial reporting procedures and to provide a report with recommendations. Their report, released on January 15, 2025, identified twenty-five recommendations: twenty of which are specific to the Comptroller General’s Office, one recommendation specific to the State Treasurer’s Office, and three combined to the State Auditor, Treasurer, and Comptroller General. The General Assembly then directed the Governor and the agencies to...

The South Carolina Public Interest Foundation have alleged constitutional violations by the Greenville County Council, with regard to its recently-adopted biennial budget and tax increase. This suit is ongoing and on February 20, 2026, Fox News Carolinas covered the story and important recent updates. Watch their coverage of SCPIF's lawsuit against Greenville County Council in the video below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UegJTs51jm0 FOX Carolina News. (2026, February 20). Greenville Co lawsuit challenges budget process, taxpayer funds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UegJTs51jm0...

Court Dismisses Citizen Lawsuit, Questions Remain About Proper Permitting Process On January 21, 2026, Judge G.D. Morgan Jr. issued an order dismissing a lawsuit brought by Dennis Floyd Bivins against York County and several of its officials regarding the Silfab Solar manufacturing facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The 22-page order, which was likely more than necessary for an order of this sort, dismissed the complaint with prejudice, finding that Bivins lacked standing to challenge the project and failed to state valid claims. However, a closer examination of the court’s reasoning alongside York County’s own zoning procedures reveals significant concerns about whether proper processes were followed.[1] The Court’s Decision Judge Morgan’s order addressed a lawsuit challenging York County’s approval of Silfab Solar’s manufacturing operations at 7149 Logistics Lane. Bivins, a neighboring property owner, sought declaratory relief, injunctions, and writs of mandamus and prohibition to halt the project, arguing that the county had issued permits without proper zoning compliance approval. The court dismissed the case...