Gallego Backs Bill Supporting Arizona Chips Manufacturing While Maintaining Environmental Protections
PHOENIX, AZ – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) announced he is cosponsoring the bipartisan, bicameral 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. The legislation is led by Reps. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Scott Peters (CA-50) and Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN).
“Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act, Arizona is seeing some of the largest investments in the state’s history,” said Rep. Gallego. “These critical investments will help end our dependence on foreign semiconductor supply chains, protecting our national security interests and boosting our economy. That’s why I’m proud to support the Building Chips in America Act which will keep these pivotal chips projects moving in a timely fashion while also ensuring critical clean air and clean water protections.”
The CHIPS and Science Act, which became law last year, provides $52.7 billion for semiconductor research, development, manufacturing, and workforce development. Arizona is currently ranked fourth in semiconductor manufacturing, and over the coming years, is expected to see significant dollars from the Act with companies like TSMC, Intel, Microchip, and NXP investing in the state.
The Building Chips in America Act would ensure federal environmental reviews are completed in a timely manner for these microchip projects 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.
A summary of the legislation can be found here.