The release of Micron’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) marks a pivotal moment for Central New York. As the largest private development in New York state history, this $100 billion microchip fabrication facility promises jobs, investments and technological leadership.
However, such a scale also brings substantial risks—risks that demand urgent and thorough public scrutiny, as well as firm commitments from Micron to do right by workers, residents, and the land, water, and air that we all rely on.
Local labor, environmental, and social justice groups are calling for a longer public comment period—at least 120 days instead of the federally required minimum of 45—to give our communities time to engage meaningfully with the nearly 20,000 pages of technical materials. More than 16 groups, including SustainCNY, GreeningUSA, Sierra Club Central and Northern New York, the American Indian Law Alliance, and others, are calling for signatories to the new Community Vision for Strong Environmental, Resident, and Worker Protections.
This vision proposes a set of enforceable standards that Micron must meet to ensure community health and safety, prevent environmental harm, uphold strong labor standards, and guarantee equitable access to jobs, housing and transportation.
We can all witness the harm being done to the environment and communities by big tech in cities like Memphis, where the Southern Environmental Law Center has raised concerns that xAI is polluting South Memphis. Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson is sounding the alarm that this is a public health and environmental emergency.
As in Tennessee, the stakes are breathtakingly high in Central New York, where Micron Technology is set to destroy more than 200 acres of wetlands, pollute air and water, increase greenhouse gas emissions and create significant transportation and housing pressures. Yet Micron has not committed to binding protections for workers or residents in the region. Without these commitments, we risk repeating Central New York’s long history of industrial harm—polluted lakes, abandoned neighborhoods, and lost trust.
We must demand better. Micron must:
- Eliminate or minimize the use of toxic chemicals, such as PFAS, and prevent discharge into local waterways.
- Fully mitigate the destruction of wetlands and habitat, especially for endangered species.
- Meet its commitment to 100% renewable energy with real generation, not credits.
- Guarantee good, safe jobs—accessible to people most in need, especially in Syracuse’s underserved neighborhoods.
- Invest in affordable housing and public transit to prevent displacement and exclusion.
This is a once-in-a-generation project. It must reflect the needs, wisdom, and rights of the people who will live with its consequences.
The communities of Central New York are ready to engage and guide this project. Micron—and the agencies charged with oversight—must ensure that input from our communities shapes the path forward.
We urge everyone to learn more and support the Community Vision, particularly faith-based organizations and individuals. Increasingly, our communities and Mother Earth face an existential threat from big tech and its exploitation of both our communities and the natural world.
Onondaga Nation Turtle Clan Faithkeeper Oren Lyons reminds us that what we need is a change in values for our survival. Water is life.
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International research associate and operations manager for the American Indian Law Alliance (aila.ngo). He holds a Ph.D. in Religion from Syracuse University.
