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Micron Technology has committed to covering the entire cost of an industrial wastewater treatment plant in Clay, according to Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. The plant, which will process tens of millions of gallons of wastewater daily, is estimated to cost at least $1 billion. McMahon emphasized that Micron will bear the full financial responsibility for the project.
The county plans to initially fund the construction through bonds, with Micron reimbursing the costs once payments are due. This project marks the most expensive undertaking in the county's history. The treatment plant will serve Micron's planned semiconductor factories, ensuring that industrial pollutants, including "forever chemicals," do not reach Lake Ontario.
Despite assurances, some local officials, like Legislature Chairwoman Nicole Watts, have raised concerns about the project's transparency and cost estimates, which range from $1.4 billion to $2.6 billion according to county consultants. Watts confirmed her support for the project after receiving satisfactory answers from McMahon about the funding mechanism.
Environmentalists have also voiced concerns, urging for a more detailed review of the plant's environmental impact. The county plans to hold a public hearing on the creation of an industrial wastewater district, which would include Micron and other potential users. The hearing is scheduled for March 3.
The treatment plant is crucial for Micron's expansion plans, which include building up to four chip factories in Clay, potentially creating thousands of jobs. The first factory is expected to be operational by 2030.