The State newspaper in Columbia reports Volkswagen backed, Scout Motors has paused work at the Blythewood site where it's building a $2 billion electric vehicle plant over concerns from environmental groups and state and federal regulatory agencies.
Contractors had started clearing rocks and timber from the site, but that initial work got the attention of environmental agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported finding evidence that a creek was being filled in before the government authorized the work.
State and county officials admit work has been halted at the site while the process to obtain a wetlands permit continues.