Grand Canyon Times

On July 11, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Brandon Williams (R-NY-22), Colin Allred (D-TX-32), and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) introduced the Building Chips in America Act, which will maximize the opportunity to bring microchip manufacturing back to America while maintaining bedrock 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. 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.   

This will give the administration additional authority to more effectively implement the CHIPS and Science Act and maximize its potential to boost domestic microchip manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains, lower costs, and improve national security.  

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

“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, a chief negotiator of the CHIPS and Science Act. “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.” 

“One of the greatest national security threats we face today is China’s chokehold on our defense industrial base,” said Congresswoman 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!” 

“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.”   

“Last year Congress made historic investments in our microchip industry that are supercharging innovation in San Diego and around the country,” said Representative 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.” 

“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 (NY-22). “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 Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32). “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.” 

“We applaud Senator Kelly for leading on this critical legislation to accelerate semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona and across the country. In Arizona, we work collaboratively with all stakeholders to streamline economic development projects and get industry operational faster. This important legislation will help ensure we have a similarly expedited federal review process for advanced semiconductor facilities, making our state and nation more competitive for this all-important industry. I’m grateful to Senator Kelly for continuing to champion Arizona’s semiconductor industry and advance economic opportunity in our state,” said Sandra Watson, President & CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. 

Original source can be found here.