North Austin News

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) introduced the Building Chips in America Act, along with U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.), and Colin Allred (D-Texas), to accelerate the environmental regulatory process and avoid unnecessary delays for domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing projects.

Since the CHIPS for America Act was authorized into law, companies have announced plans to invest billions in new domestic chip manufacturing projects throughout Texas and across the nation. However, despite their national security importance, these projects could be required to undergo a lengthy National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. The Building Chips in America Act would ensure federal environmental reviews are completed in a timely manner by streamlining approval for projects currently under construction and others that could be delayed, and by providing the Secretary of Commerce greater tools to carry out reviews more effectively and efficiently.  

“Semiconductors are an integral part of our daily life and the backbone of America's national security,” said Rep. McCaul. “With Communist China ramping up its aggression around Taiwan — which currently produces over 90 percent of the world’s advanced chips — there’s no time to waste in boosting domestic chip production. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this legislation to maximize the potential of my CHIPS for America Act by cutting red tape and accelerating crucial chips projects across the nation.”

“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!” 

“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.” 

“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. 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. 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.” 

Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) also introduced the bill in the Senate.

“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 Sen. 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 Sen. 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 Sen. 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 Sen. Brown. “This legislation will help prevent delays to semiconductor manufacturing projects the CHIPS Act made possible and encourage future investments in American manufacturing.”   

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

Original source can be found here.