MICRON--OUR CURRENT FOCUS
SustainCNY is currently working to increase public engagement in the proposed Micron microchip manufacturing facility near Syracuse. We seek to avoid adverse environmental and energy impacts, and ensure transparency and accountability regarding commitments made in exchange for public funding.
ACT now on the Environmental Review process
SustainCNY is preparing to provide public comments on Micron's draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), expected in early June, 2025. Go to the "Get Involved" section of this website for more information and to sign the petition requesting more time to review and comment on the EIS.
Join a Sustaincny MICRON WORKING GROUP
Working Groups Purpose
The intent of working groups and the related public sessions is to connect with the appropriate people or offices at Micron either directly or by working through organizations that are actively engaged in dialog with Micron. That might include some coordination with the CNY Community Foundation plus one of our allied organizations known as Jobs to Move America (JMA) who are directly involved with the Community Benefits Agreement. The objectives are all about educating and empowering people about the issues since an informed citizenry is critical to a sustainable future, particularly in a time when news media isn’t able to meet the challenges by itself. Therefore, the goal is to inform people about these underreported issues, help the public understand them and help everyone to participate in the public discourse, which we see as essential.
To participate in one of the workgroups, please see the "Micron Work Groups" section of this website and reach out to the contact person listed for the one you are interested in. Or go to the "Contact Us" tab on the home page.
SustainCNY is currently forming working groups focused on the following issues related to Micron
1. Construction Impacts
The construction of such a large facility is expected to impact not only the immediate site, but also the larger environment. There are wetlands that will be impacted, and other water resources, site topography, wildlife, flora and fauna. In addition, the embodied carbon in many of the construction materials such as concrete, steel, and aluminum will be substantial.
2. Air Quality
When operational, Micron is expected to emit substantial quantities of pollutants into the air. These include: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The plant is also expected to be a source of hazardous pollutants like hydrofluoric acid and PFAS because the semiconductor industry uses fluorinated gases in its processes. They indicate that they will use incineration to reduce the emission of VOCs and fluorinated gases to reduce their contribution to climate change. Unfortunately incineration is only partially effective, and it produces hazardous byproducts.
3. Water Impacts
Wastewater from chips plants contains a wide range of pollutants, including heavy metals, acids, bases, organic solvents, and specialty chemicals related to the industry. Many of these chemicals require specialized treatment to successfully remove them. Of particular concern are PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) dubbed “forever chemicals” since they persist almost indefinitely in the environment.
4. Energy Use
Micron has the potential to be a model renewable energy project. It has pledged to go renewable in exchange for $5.5 billion in NY GreenChips funding--but the details of doing so are not yet known. The plant will require as much electricity as the states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined. There is a real concern that Central New York residents could end up paying higher gas and electricity rates because of the enormous energy requirements of Micron.
5. Community Planning
The Micron plant will require thousands of workers to staff the operations. Handling the traffic and transportation needs of such a large work force will also have an impact on the greater CNY Community. Similarly, there is a projected increase in the need for housing to accommodate people moving into the area which raises questions of housing planning, development, and affordability.
6. Job Growth
The facility, when fully constructed has brought the promise of 9,000 jobs by the year 2045. It would be preferable if most of those were filled by local residents who could take advantage of localized job training and education. The hope is that the pay for these jobs will meet fair labor standards for all levels of positions. It is also important to many that minorities and inner city residents have the opportunity to apply for any position that they are qualified for.
7. Community Benefits Agreement
In exchange for funding and tax benefits under the NY Green CHIPS Act, Micron has promised to establish goals for hiring members of disadvantaged local communities, promised investments in local job training and education. This SustainCNY workgroup is working with Jobs to Move America (JMA) to create an enforceable Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Micron as part of a Communication Workers of America (CWA) effort to secure a labor agreement for the Clay fabs.