New York State Approves Micron Transmission Plan, Advancing $100 Billion Semiconductor Investment Layout
According to Reuters, The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved National Grid to construct a two-mile, 345-kilovolt underground transmission line connecting the Clay substation to Micron's planned mega fab semiconductor facility in Onondaga County. This transmission project is a critical component supporting Micron's $100 billion investment plan.
Spanning approximately two decades, Micron's long-term investment encompasses fab construction, power and renewable energy infrastructure, R&D and educational partnerships, as well as community and workforce development initiatives. The goal is to establish the nation's largest memory manufacturing and innovation hub. The comprehensive plan projects the creation of roughly 2.4 million square feet of cleanroom space, generating tens of thousands of high-paying jobs while driving over $10 billion in annual economic output for Central New York. According to New York State government projections, the region will generate billions of dollars annually in tax revenue and public investment for local governments by 2040.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that this approval marks the formal commencement of Micron's investment phase and represents a milestone in establishing Central New York as a national semiconductor manufacturing hub. “This initiative will fundamentally transform Central New York's economic landscape. We are advancing it with the utmost speed and utmost diligence.”
The PSC concurrently approved the first phase of National Grid's environmental and construction plans, including the expansion of the Clay Substation and transmission equipment installation, incorporating ecological conservation and construction restoration provisions. PSC Chairman Rory M. Christian noted the unanimous approval, confirming compliance with public and environmental safety standards.
Micron's Executive Vice President of Global Operations, Manish Bhatia, stated this approval brings the company closer to establishing an advanced memory manufacturing center in Central New York.
Since taking office, Kathy Hochul has prioritized semiconductors as a core strategy for New York's economic development. She has secured $500 million in funding for the New York Center for Research, Innovation and Nanotechnology (NY CREATES), bringing its total allocation to $1 billion. This supports the $10 billion High-NA EUV Center initiative and collaboration with IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, and TEL to establish North America's first public High-NA EUV R&D hub.
New York State currently hosts 156 semiconductor and supply chain companies, employing over 34,000 workers. With tech giants like Micron, AMD, and GlobalFoundries also establishing operations here, the “East Coast Silicon Valley 2.0” is gradually taking shape.