Micron’s planned $100 billion investment in Central New York has reached a new stage as the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) approved key infrastructure needed for the project. The PSC has adopted the terms of a joint proposal for National Grid to build a two-mile, 345-kilovolt underground transmission line connecting an existing substation to the future Micron technology fabrication areas in the Town of Clay, Onondaga County. Additionally, the PSC has approved National Grid’s environmental management and construction plan for the initial phase, which covers expanding the Clay substation and installing equipment between the substation and the Micron campus.
The joint proposal was signed by National Grid, the New York State Department of Public Service Staff, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Governor Kathy Hochul commented on the progress, stating, “We’re working hard to shape the upstate economy into an economic powerhouse. Today’s decision by the PSC marks a major milestone for the development of the Micron project in upstate New York. This project is set to transform Central New York — and we’re moving quickly ahead with all due speed and deliberation.”
The PSC also reviewed and approved the utility’s strategies for managing public complaints, protecting waterbodies and wildlife, scheduling construction activities, and minimizing disruptions. The commission outlined requirements for cleanup and restoration following construction.
This approval is part of the broader collaboration between Micron and New York State that began in October 2022, when Micron selected Central New York for its semiconductor megafab. The project is supported by the Governor’s Green CHIPS incentive program, which encourages companies to lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve water restoration and recycling, and use carbon-free energy sources.
Earlier in the year, a draft environmental impact statement for Micron’s project was released by the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The document, totaling about 20,000 pages, is among the most comprehensive analyses ever conducted for a New York State project. The analysis reflects the scale of Micron’s investment, which is expected to create over 50,000 jobs over more than two decades and include the largest clean room space in the country at about 2.4 million square feet.
Local hiring has already started, with an emphasis on veterans and small businesses.
