The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the CHIPS Act – National Institute of Standards and Technology (.gov)

Environmental and Sustainable Development Impact Report: Micron New York Semiconductor Project

1.0 Introduction and Project Mandate

On June 27, 2025, the CHIPS Program Office (CPO) and the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the proposed Micron New York Semiconductor Manufacturing Project. This initiative is a significant step towards strengthening domestic industry and innovation, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The joint preparation of the Draft EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) ensures a thorough evaluation of the project’s environmental and socioeconomic impacts, aligning with national and local objectives for responsible economic growth as outlined in SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

2.0 Governance, Transparency, and Public Participation (SDG 16 & SDG 11)

The environmental review process is founded on the principles of transparent, effective, and accountable institutions, a cornerstone of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By facilitating public access to information and providing formal channels for community feedback, the process also promotes inclusive and participatory planning for sustainable communities, as envisioned in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Opportunities for public engagement are structured to ensure all stakeholder voices can be heard.

1. Document Accessibility: The complete Draft EIS and all associated appendices are available for public review at the Onondaga County Public Library (447 South Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13202) and via official online portals.
2. Public Hearing: A public hearing to gather comments is scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Liverpool High School Auditorium. Sessions will be held from 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, and 6pm-9pm.
3. Written Comment Period: Written comments will be accepted until August 11, 2025. Submissions can be made via email to chipsnepa@chips.gov. All comments will be considered by both the CPO and OCIDA.

3.0 Comprehensive Assessment Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

The Draft EIS provides a detailed analysis of the project’s potential impacts, with specific appendices corresponding directly to key Sustainable Development Goals. This ensures a holistic review that balances economic development with environmental stewardship and social equity.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The project’s impact on regional water systems is thoroughly examined in the “Water Resources” appendices.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Assessments on “Land Use,” “Transportation and Traffic,” “Visual Effects and Community Character,” and “Socioeconomic Conditions” evaluate the project’s integration with the local community.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The management of “Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Hazardous Materials” is detailed to ensure sustainable operational patterns.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The analysis of “Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Climate Change, and Climate Resiliency” addresses the project’s climate footprint and adaptation strategies.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Impacts on local ecosystems are evaluated in the “Geology, Soils, Topography” and “Biological Resources” sections.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): The dedicated “Environmental Justice” appendix ensures equitable consideration of all communities, reinforcing the commitment to fair and inclusive governance.

4.0 Available Documentation for Review

The following documents constitute the Draft EIS and are available for public inspection to facilitate an informed review process. Each topic area is critical for assessing the project’s alignment with global sustainability targets.

• Draft EIS Main Document: Overall project summary and impact statement.
• Appendices A-D: Scoping, Site Selection, Growth Effects, and Land Use Policy.
• Appendix E: Geology, Soils, and Topography (Relates to SDG 15).
• Appendix F: Water Resources (Relates to SDG 6).
• Appendix G: Biological Resources (Relates to SDG 15).
• Appendices H-J: Cultural Resources, Air Quality, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Relates to SDG 11 & SDG 13).
• Appendix K: Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (Relates to SDG 12).
• Appendix L: Human Health and Safety (Relates to SDG 3).
• Appendix M: Transportation and Traffic (Relates to SDG 11).
• Appendices N-R: Noise, Visual Effects, Community Facilities, Socioeconomics, and Environmental Justice (Relates to SDG 11 & SDG 16).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, which announces the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Micron New York Semiconductor Manufacturing Project, addresses or connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This connection is established through the various environmental, social, and economic factors that the EIS is required to evaluate under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The topics listed in the EIS appendices provide a clear roadmap to the relevant SDGs.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The assessment of “Human Health and Safety,” “Air Quality,” and “Noise and Vibration” directly relates to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The “Water Resources” appendix indicates a focus on the project’s potential impact on water quality and availability, which is central to this goal.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The project is a major industrial development, and the analysis of “Socioeconomic Conditions” connects to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The core of the article is about a new semiconductor manufacturing facility, a key piece of industrial infrastructure that promotes innovation.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Several appendices, including “Land Use, Zoning, and Public Policy,” “Transportation and Traffic,” “Visual Effects and Community Character,” and “Community Facilities,” relate to making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The appendix covering “Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Hazardous Materials” directly addresses the need for environmentally sound management of waste and chemicals.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The specific mention of “Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Climate Change, and Climate Resiliency” in an appendix shows a direct link to combating climate change and its impacts.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The evaluation of “Geology, Soils, Topography” and “Biological Resources” is crucial for understanding the project’s impact on terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The entire NEPA process described—including the publication of the Draft EIS, the public hearing, and the comment period—exemplifies the principles of transparent, accountable, and participatory governance. The inclusion of “Environmental Justice” as a topic reinforces this connection.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific topics being evaluated in the Draft EIS, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. This is addressed by the EIS sections on “Air Quality,” “Water Resources,” and “Hazardous Materials.”
2. Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. The “Water Resources” appendix directly supports the assessment needed for this target.
3. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The EIS process for this new industrial facility is a mechanism to ensure its design and operation align with sustainability principles.
4. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management. The public comment and hearing process described in the article is a direct application of this target.
5. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. This is addressed by the appendix on “Historic and Cultural Resources.”
6. Target 12.4: Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle…and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil. The appendix on “Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Hazardous Materials” is explicitly focused on this.
7. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The evaluation of “Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Climate Change, and Climate Resiliency” as part of the project approval process demonstrates this integration.
8. Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The appendices on “Biological Resources” and “Water Resources” provide the basis for assessing progress toward this target.
9. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The article details the public hearing and written comment period, which are core components of this target. The “Environmental Justice” appendix also ensures that decision-making considers impacts on all communities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not contain quantitative data but implies the use of several process-based and assessment-based indicators. The existence and content of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) itself serve as a primary indicator.

• Indicator for Target 16.7: The article explicitly mentions the mechanisms for public participation, which are direct indicators of inclusive decision-making. These include:
  • The publication of the Draft EIS for public review.
  • The scheduling of a public hearing with multiple sessions.
  • The establishment of a formal period for accepting written comments.
• Indicator for Multiple Environmental Targets (3.9, 6.3, 12.4, 13.2, 15.1): The specific appendices of the EIS serve as indicators that a formal assessment is being conducted. For example:
  • The “Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Climate Change, and Climate Resiliency” appendix is an indicator of a process to measure and mitigate climate impact (Target 13.2).
  • The “Water Resources” appendix indicates an assessment of impacts on water quality and ecosystems (Target 6.3).
  • The “Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Hazardous Materials” appendix indicates a review of waste management practices (Target 12.4).
  • The “Biological Resources” appendix indicates an evaluation of impacts on local ecosystems (Target 15.1).
• Indicator for Social and Urban Targets (11.3, 11.4): The inclusion of appendices like “Socioeconomic Conditions,” “Environmental Justice,” “Historic and Cultural Resources,” and “Community Character” indicates that a comprehensive assessment of the project’s social and urban impact is underway, which is a prerequisite for sustainable planning.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: nist.gov