Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas Urge Inclusion of CHIPS Permitting Reform in Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Andrea Salinas said today they are joining more than 100 congressional colleagues to urge leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to preserve the Building Chips in America Act in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The chips permitting bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support as an amendment to the Senate NDAA in July, streamlines National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review requirements for semiconductor manufacturing projects to maximize the impact of the CHIPS and Science Act in Oregon and nationwide. The permitting bill by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) clarifies the scope of NEPA reviews while keeping in place state and federal protections for clean air and clean water.
Senate and House leaders are preparing to negotiate a final, compromise version of the NDAA that could pass both chambers and be signed into law. The letter signed by Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici and Salinas and their colleagues urges Senate and House leaders to maintain the Senate-passed microchip permitting reforms in that final version.
“Historically, NEPA reviews apply to projects that receive a significant portion of federal funding, giving the Federal government sufficient control over the project’s outcome. This is not the case for the CHIPS program,” the lawmakers wrote.
Federal funding for CHIPS Act projects will comprise a minimal share of the cost, but would still be deemed “major federal actions.”
“This could halt or delay commencement of new projects, impacting the United States’ ability to bolster its national security interests, economic growth, competitiveness, and technological leadership,” the lawmakers’ letter continued.
The letter led by Kelly -- and signed by 118 Senate and House members -- is here.
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