Micron Technology’s semiconductor plant in Clay, New York, has garnered both excitement and apprehension. While it offers substantial economic opportunities, the project also raises valid environmental concerns. The facility is anticipated to utilize an extensive array of toxic chemicals, including perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), which pose significant threats to water quality and public health.
Despite Micron’s pledge to treat wastewater to meet or exceed applicable water quality standards, the absence of established standards for the numerous PFAS compounds expected in their wastewater raises concerns about the effectiveness of such treatment. Removing PFAS from substantial volumes of wastewater poses considerable challenges, and even measuring these compounds presents difficulties for chemists.
The looming possibility of spills and accidents is another cause for concern. Recent incidents at a Samsung semiconductor facility in Texas, where hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic wastewater were spilled into local waterways, underscore the potential risks. Ensuring the safe delivery, storage, and consumption of chemicals at the Micron plant is paramount. Byproducts must be thoroughly treated, leaving no room for error.
Central New York has witnessed the devastating consequences of industrial pollution firsthand, as exemplified by the toxic legacy left behind at Onondaga Lake. The dumping of hazardous chemicals, including mercury, PCBs, and dioxin, transformed a pristine water body into a polluted cesspool, necessitating extensive remediation efforts and billions of dollars in cleanup costs.
Aside from the chemical hazards, the plant’s massive electricity consumption, equivalent to the combined usage of Vermont and New Hampshire, raises concerns. While Micron’s commitment to using 100% renewable electricity is commendable, ensuring the protection of local ecosystems and communities from potential harm caused by the plant’s operations is essential.
While the community welcomes the prospect of employment opportunities, particularly for historically marginalized groups, these jobs must prioritize safety. Given the current lack of adequate regulatory oversight, it falls upon the community to demand ultra-secure handling and treatment of chemicals. Only through such measures can we guarantee the protection of the environment, workers, and the well-being of our communities.
