The bill would exempt semiconductor manufacturing facilities that receive federal funding from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews. Proponents say this will streamline the approval process; opponents warn that it could lead to less oversight and, therefore, more pollution.
“It’s going to be completely secret going forward whether facilities are using PFAS and other harmful chemicals,” if Biden signs the bill, said Harry Manin, the Sierra Club’s deputy legislative director for industrial policy.
He added that transparency is “the last protection that communities and workers had” because it allowed them to negotiate for mitigation measures.
Despite this opposition, and opposition from 125 members of Congress, a White House official told Politico that Biden plans to sign the bill.
The spokesperson said that the legislation “will allow us to continue our efforts to ensure Americans across the country can benefit from the promise of the Investing in America agenda while protecting communities and the environment.”
White House spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment from The Hill.
Read more at TheHill.com.
