San Diego City Wire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 11, Representative Scott Peters introduced the Building Chips in America Act with U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Todd Young (R-IN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Brandon Williams (R-NY-22), and Colin Allred (D-TX-32). The legislation will maximize the opportunity to bring microchip manufacturing back to America while maintaining environmental protections for clean air and water.

 

Following the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, companies throughout the semiconductor supply chain have announced plans to invest hundreds of billions in new domestic manufacturing projects. Under current law, CHIPS Act investments will be considered major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and require each project receiving assistance to undergo additional environmental analysis, even for projects that have already received all their state and federal environmental permits and begun construction.  The Building Chips in America Act would ensure federal environmental reviews are completed in a timely manner for these microchip projects supported by the CHIPS and Science Act by streamlining approval for projects currently under construction and others that could be delayed, and by providing the Secretary of Commerce greater tools to more effectively and efficiently carry out reviews.  

 

“Last year Congress made historic investments in our microchip industry that are supercharging innovation in San Diego and around the country,” said Rep Peters. “Unfortunately, permitting regulations are delaying projects that are already under construction just because they receive CHIPS Act funding. Our bill ensures that we do not lose a second in the fight for the future while maintaining the world standard in environmental protection.” 

 

Rep. Peters Peters has been a leader in the debate on permitting reform and the broader discussion on combatting climate change. Since joining Congress in 2013, he has authored and passed consequential climate legislation including the POWER ON Act, , and the American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act that became law through a historic energy package in 2020, as well as a resolution to restore robust regulations on methane pollution that was signed into law in 2021.

 

“Our CHIPS Law is bringing billions of dollars in investment to Arizona’s microchip manufacturing industry—creating thousands of good-paying jobs, many of which don’t require a four-year degree. The Building Chips in America Act will ensure these critical projects can continue construction on time while protecting our clean air and water,” said Senator Kelly. “I will keep working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues and with Secretary Raimondo and the administration, to ensure the CHIPS Act is implemented to maximize the impact for our economy and our national security.” 

 

“The CHIPS and Science Act included manufacturing incentives vital to increasing chip production here in the U.S., protecting our national security interests and boosting our economic security at the same time. However, as implementation proceeds, unnecessary regulatory burdens are threatening to slow down these critical investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and pause construction that has already begun,” said Senator Young. “The Building Chips in America Act will cut red tape and solidify our nation’s ability to successfully onshore chip production as quickly as possible.” 

 

“Our nation’s economic and national security demands that we bring back—as quickly as possible—American production of strategic commodities like semiconductors, which requires eliminating the unnecessary bureaucratic red tape that stands in the way,” said Senator Hagerty. “I am pleased to join Senator Kelly in introducing this legislation to speed up these crucial American projects and advance commonsense permitting reform.” 

 

“By investing in Ohio semiconductor manufacturing and Ohio talent, we can restore critical supply chains, help lower costs for Ohioans, and create thousands of jobs,” said Senator Brown. “This legislation will help prevent delays to semiconductor manufacturing projects the CHIPS Act made possible and encourage future investments in American manufacturing.”  

 

“One of the greatest national security threats we face today is China’s chokehold on our defense industrial base,” said Rep. Kiggans. “Unfortunately, federal bureaucracy is holding up critical projects started by the CHIPS Act while the Chinese Communist Party spends billions of dollars to become the world’s leading producer of advanced semiconductors. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to cut red tape and empower America’s domestic manufacturers to succeed for the sake of our national security and our economy!” 

 

“The Building Chips for America Act will be a monumental win for Central New York and the Mohawk Valley—expediting construction locally so we can begin semiconductor manufacturing, expand long-term projects, and bring back good paying jobs to our community. Standing with Rep. Kiggans to deliver this victory for our districts is an honor and privilege,” said Rep. Brandon Williams. “This Act will provide short-term relief to local and future projects, by eliminating the redundancies and regulatory requirements set under NEPA which would force projects like Micron to undergo environmental reviews that are already required by federal, state, and local mandates.” 

 

“In order to take full advantage of the incentives in the CHIPS Act to grow the semiconductor industry and create jobs in Texas and across the country, we must ensure these projects can get approved in a timely manner,” said Rep. Colin Allred. “Texas is a leader in semiconductor chip research and manufacturing, and that’s why I was proud to support the CHIPS Act. This bipartisan bill is a common-sense change that will ensure that the CHIPS Act delivers on its promise and these critical projects can get approved.”

Click here for a summary of the Building Chips in America Act. Click here for the full bill text.  

Original source can be found here.