Lawsuit Seeks to Halt Micron Chip Factories Over Environmental Concerns
A lawsuit has been filed to halt the development of Micron Technology’s chip manufacturing facilities in Clay, New York. The legal action was initiated by Jobs to Move America and local residents, who argue that the environmental review process was insufficient.
Lawsuit Details and Objectives
The lawsuit was presented in the state Supreme Court in Albany on the same day as Micron’s groundbreaking ceremony. The plaintiffs assert that the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) did not adequately evaluate the environmental impacts before approving the project in November 2023.
Project Overview
Micron plans to invest approximately $100 billion to construct four chipmaking factories in Clay by 2041. These facilities aim to produce billions of chips for various applications including automotive, mobile devices, data centers, and artificial intelligence. The project is projected to generate:
- 9,000 direct jobs
- 40,000 indirect jobs
Environmental Concerns
Despite the OCIDA’s endorsement, the lawsuit raises significant environmental concerns. Plaintiffs claim that the agency failed to thoroughly assess:
- Micron’s emissions of PFAS and other harmful chemicals
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Destruction of 200 acres of wetlands
The lawsuit requests that the court invalidate the OCIDA’s approval and restart the environmental review process.
Community Impact
Bonita Siegel, president of Neighbors for a Better Micron, emphasized the need for Micron to ensure protection for local residents. She stated, “Micron must be a good neighbor to those of us who have lived here for years.”
Groundbreaking Ceremony
The groundbreaking event was attended by notable figures including Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Preparatory work is expected to commence shortly on the 1,400-acre site.
Construction Timeline and Regulations
Initial site preparation will involve clearing 445 acres of forest, managed by Gilbane Co. Notably, tree-cutting will be restricted from March 31 to November 1 to protect two endangered bat species. During construction, it’s anticipated that:
- 2,000 to 4,000 workers will be on-site until 2030
- About 2 million yards of gravel will be transported, involving more than 500 trucks daily
Future Prospects
Micron’s project underwent a comprehensive two-year environmental review spanning 20,000 pages, concluding in November 2023. The company aims to build two fabs by 2033, potentially receiving $20 billion in government subsidies. There are plans for additional facilities by 2041, although public funding for these remains uncertain.
Representatives from Micron and Onondaga County have not commented on the lawsuit at this time. This legal challenge highlights ongoing tensions regarding environmental management and community impact surrounding major industrial projects.
