Silfab has ‘no business operating where it is located’ after spill: SC senator

The more than chemical spill at Silab Solar on Tuesday is proof that the company “has no business operating where it is located,” S.C. Sen. Michael Johnson said in a call to shut down the Silfab project.

Intense public debate the past three years on whether the Canadian company should be allowed to manufacture solar panels at 7149 Logistics Lane has been a York County issue, Johnson posted on his Facebook page.

“Today all of that changed,” Johnson said.

A letter signed by Johnson and S.C. Sen. Wes Climer of Rock Hill calls for the shutdown operations until a state investigation is complete. The letter also calls for York County to “revoke all active permits and licenses” that allow Silfab to operate.

“Given that such an incident occurred a mere two weeks after Silfab was approved to bring these chemicals in for operations,” the letter said, “we have grave concerns about the professionalism of the company and their ability to both recognize and adhere to state regulations put in place to protect members of our community.”

Johnson, a Republican whose district includes the area around the Silfab plant, told The Herald he spoke Tuesday to S.C. Department of Environmental Services Director Myra Reece about his concerns.

“I have instructed the department of environmental services to take whatever actions they deem appropriate to stop Silfab from operating,” Johnson said Tuesday afternoon from the S.C. Statehouse in Columbia.

Johnson said he also had spoken to York County management about the spill. As for York County revoking permits and licenses for Silfab, Johnson said, “It is time for the county to act. It’s time for them to step up to the plate.”

Most of the potassium hydroxide spilled Tuesday morning was contained by a retention pool on the Silfab property, according to York County. Emergency responders arrived within three minutes and determined the spill was not a danger to the public. About 30 gallons of potassium hydroxide, which can irritate the skin or respiratory system, required a York County hazmat team and private contractors to clean, according to the county.

York County government, going off information from Silfab, initially reported the spill as 1,530 gallons. But shortly after noon on Tuesday the county manager’s office issued a statement saying the correct amount was 300 gallons.

The accidental release involved water with .03% potassium hydroxide, according to a statement from Silfab’s Director of Operations Greg Basden.

“We notified York County emergency management per protocol, and they responded immediately,” the statement said. “The situation is under control. We are working with our local emergency services and there is no danger to public safety.”

This story was originally published March 3, 2026 at 4:12 PM.