US Reviews Micron’s New York Chip Project’s Environmental Impact.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it is conducting an environmental review of Micron’s proposed establishment of a large-scale manufacturing facility for dynamic random-access memory chips in central New York state.

Micron aims to invest approximately $100 billion over the course of the next two decades to develop a 1,400-acre (570-hectare) campus in Clay, New York. By 2030,

The company plans to allocate $20 billion towards this endeavor. As part of this initiative, Micron has sought financial support through the Commerce Department’s “Chips and Science” semiconductor subsidy program. The agency clarified that an environmental review is obligatory should the project secure government funding.

Micron anticipates opening two out of the planned four 600,000-square-foot (56,000-square-meter) fabrication units by 2029, as outlined in their submission.

Also Read: Micron Begins Mass Production Of Memory Chip ‘HBM3E’

In addition to the fabrication units, the project entails the development of essential infrastructure such as childcare and healthcare facilities, a link to the National Grid substation, and a rail spur, as indicated in the documentation. The filing also indicates that two additional fabrication units are slated for operation by 2041.

The Commerce Department declined to comment. Micron said the government notice “is an important step towards preparations for construction – a process that includes extensive environmental reviews defined by federal law.”

 A March 19 meeting on the environmental review is planned.

The review will take at least a few months, beginning with a 30-day period for public input on the scope. A draft environmental impact statement will be available for public comment for 45 days before it can be finalized.

So far, the Commerce Department has announced $1.7 billion in planned subsidies from the program, including $1.5 billion to GlobalFoundries to build a semiconductor production facility in Malta, New York and expand operations there and in Burlington, Vermont.

The department in January announced a $162 million planned award to Microchip Technology and $35 million to a BAE Systems facility in New Hampshire in December.