UPDATE 8/28/2024: A recap video of Ralph Norman’s public forum has just been posted to Facebook here:
You can watch the entire 2-hour long video on YouTube here:
Original Article 8/27/2024:
The ongoing battle over Silfab’s proposed solar cell and module factory in Fort Mill just hit the national level.
Republican Congressman Ralph Norman, who is up for reelection this November, is renting out a Fort Mill high school to hold a Silfab forum with political allies and officials from SCDES and SCDOT.
His challenger, Democrat Evangeline Hundley released a lengthy press release yesterday saying she is for green energy, “but I also stand for the health of my community, and for due process and ethical practices by our government at all levels, local, state, and federal, and I see huge issues on both of those counts. The hazardous chemicals like silane and hydrofluoric acid create significant health and safety hazards, especially frightening for those living within the one mile evacuation zone. These chemicals should not be in an area zoned light industrial in such a heavily populated area in which six schools are located.”
Norman has framed his event as neutral and informative, however, in his posts and press releases, he failed to disclose his ties to the solar industry and local real estate. Norman is co-founder of the Congressional Solar Caucus and the 20th wealthiest congressman in America, owning numerous commercial real estate properties around Rock Hill and Fort Mill through the Warren Norman Company.
This past May, Silfab’s Fort Mill project, in Norman’s district, was awarded a $5 million grant from the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).
According to OpenSecrets.org, Norman is directly receiving campaign contributions from Canadian Silfab’s lobbying group, SEIA;
So far Norman has received 67 comments under his Facebook post about his upcoming Silfab forum, with almost all of them being negative, including:
“I have supported you Mr Norman in the past, but no more!”
“if he doesn’t step forward and stop this he will Never get voted for again and this will be his legacy…”
“he won’t be reelected for Congress without his support to move Silfab.”
“So disheartening to think it’s only about money for our county and politicians!”
In contrast, his opponent Hundley’s Facebook post about Silfab has already received 48 comments, with all of them being positive, including:
“Thank you, Evangeline. I have been voting for Rep. Ralph Norman, but due to his inability to understand the problems of our Fort Mill community I am looking at you as our advocate against this total lawlessness.”
“Thank you for speaking out!! For me- and a lot of others in this community- our votes in November are coming down to who speaks out and tries to help us save our community! You have earned my vote!”
“Thank you for looking out for our community! I will cast my ballot for you!”
“Thank you for speaking out! You are will get my vote for listening to concerned citizens!”
According to Ballotpedia, Ralph Norman won in 2018 with 57% of the vote, 2020 with 60.1% of the vote, and 2022 with 64% of the vote, so while his loss seems unlikely, a growing wave of outrage among his base and the recent excitement and ‘get out the vote’ surge on the left could certainly change that.
You can read Ralph Norman’s page about Silfab here.
You can read Evangeline Hundley’s page about Silfab here.
You can read more about the citizens of Fort Mill’s position at MoveSilfab.com
You can read more about Silfab Solar’s position at SilfabSolarSC.com
What do you think about the Silfab situation?
Do you think it might cost Norman the election?
