Notice of Availability of Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Modernization and Expansion of Existing Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities Under the CHIPS Incentives Program, 55920-55921 [2024-14844]

Download as PDF 55920 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 130 / Monday, July 8, 2024 / Notices Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than January 31, 2025. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after January 31, 2025, will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit. Contacts Michelle Ouellette (U.S. based Recruitment Lead), Senior International Trade Specialist, Boston U.S. Export Assistance Center, + 1 (617) 565–4302, Michelle.Ouellette@ trade.gov Cindy Ma, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service— San Jose, CA, +1 (510) 368–0765, Cindy.Ma@trade.gov Monica Toporkiewicz, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service—Chicago, IL, +1 312–353–8059, Monica.Toporkiewicz@trade.gov Gemal Brangman, Director, Global Trade Programs. [FR Doc. 2024–14931 Filed 7–5–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Notice of Availability of Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Modernization and Expansion of Existing Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities Under the CHIPS Incentives Program National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice; availability of a Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and finding of no significant impact. AGENCY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces the availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the modernization and expansion of existing semiconductor fabrication facilities under the CHIPS Incentives Program. The Final PEA addresses Federal financial assistance under the CHIPS Incentives Program for the proposed modernization or expansion of existing current-generation, maturenode, or leading-edge front- or back-end commercial semiconductor fabrication facilities within existing facility footprints. ADDRESSES: The Final PEA and FONSI are available for review and download khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Jul 05, 2024 Jkt 262001 at https://www.nist.gov/chips/nationalenvironmental-policy-act-nepa. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Frenkel, NIST, telephone number 240–204–1960, email David.Frenkel@ chips.gov. NIST prepared the Final PEA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations, 40 CFR parts 1500–1508. The Final PEA addresses Federal financial assistance for the proposed modernization or expansion of existing currentgeneration, mature-node, or leadingedge front- or back-end commercial semiconductor fabrication facilities within existing facility footprints (the Proposed Action). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act in title XCIX of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116–283), as amended by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (Division A of Pub. L. 117–167) (together, the CHIPS Act or Act) authorized the CHIPS Incentives Program within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Program, which is administered by the CHIPS Program Office (CPO) within NIST, an agency of the Department, aims to boost American semiconductor research, development, and production. The CHIPS Incentives Program Commercial Fabrication Facilities Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was originally published in February 2023 and amended in June 2023. The NOFO solicits applications for the construction, expansion, or modernization of commercial facilities for the front- or back-end fabrication of leading-edge, current-generation, and mature-node semiconductors; commercial facilities for wafer manufacturing; and commercial facilities for materials used to manufacture semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, provided that the capital investment equals or exceeds $300 million. The potential amount available under the NOFO is up to $38.22 billion for direct funding and up to $75 billion in direct loan or guaranteed principals. CPO is responsible for completion of the NEPA process before Federal financial assistance can be disbursed. PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Final PEA The purpose of the CHIPS Incentives Program in this area is to invest in U.S. production of strategically important semiconductors (‘‘chips’’) and ensure a sufficient, sustainable, and secure supply of older and current generation chips for national security purposes and critical manufacturing industries. As part of this effort, CPO aims to increase semiconductor manufacturing capacity and strengthen the security of the U.S. supply chain via the modernization of semiconductor production. The need for CPO’s action in this area is to fulfill the agency’s statutory responsibilities under the CHIPS Act, including the requirements of 15 U.S.C. 4652 to incentivize investment in facilities and equipment in the United States for the fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging, production, or research and development of semiconductors, materials used to manufacture semiconductors, or semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Under the Proposed Action, CPO would provide Federal financial assistance for the proposed modernization or expansion of existing current-generation, mature-node, or leading-edge front- or back-end commercial semiconductor fabrication facilities within existing facility footprints. Eligible projects would include the replacement or upgrade of existing fab equipment, the addition of new semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and the expansion of cleanroom space. CPO published the Notice of Availability of the Draft PEA for public comment in the Federal Register on December 27, 2023.1 CPO extended the 30-day public comment period by two weeks from January 25, 2024, to February 9, 2024.2 CPO considered the public comments received on the Draft PEA and has responded to comments in Appendix E of the Final PEA. CPO has made revisions to the PEA in response to comments where appropriate. Based on its analysis, CPO has determined that the Proposed Action to provide Federal financial assistance for the proposed modernization or expansion of existing currentgeneration, mature-node, or leadingedge front- or back-end commercial semiconductor fabrication facilities (or ‘‘fabs’’) within existing fab facility footprints normally would not result in significant adverse environmental effects. Thus, preparation of a programmatic environmental impact 1 88 2 89 E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM FR 89372 (Dec. 27, 2023). FR 6506 (Feb. 1, 2024). 08JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 130 / Monday, July 8, 2024 / Notices statement (EIS) is not required, and CPO is issuing a FONSI for the Proposed Action. Authority: This notice is provided pursuant to NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4336(b)(2), and the NEPA implementing regulations, 40 CFR 1506.6. Alicia Chambers, NIST Executive Secretariat. [FR Doc. 2024–14844 Filed 7–5–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE085] South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC); Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public hearings. AGENCY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold two virtual public hearings pertaining to Regulatory Amendment 36 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. This amendment considers revisions to the recreational vessel limits for gag and black grouper and stowage requirements for black sea bass pots equipped with on-demand gear while transiting closed areas. DATES: The public hearings will take place via webinar July 31 and August 1, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m., EDT. For specific dates and times, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: The hearings will be held via webinar. The webinar is open to members of the public. Information, including a link to webinar registration will be posted on the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/public-hearingsand-scoping/ when it becomes available. Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N Charleston, SC 29405. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, SAFMC; phone: (843) 571–4366 or toll free: (866) SAFMC–10; fax: (843) 769– 4520; email: kim.iverson@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A public hearing document, an online public comment form, and other materials will be posted to the Council’s website at https://safmc.net/public-hearings-andscoping/ as they become available. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Jul 05, 2024 Jkt 262001 55921 Written comments should be addressed to John Carmichael, Executive Director, SAFMC, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N Charleston, SC 29405. Written comments must be received by August 2, 2024, at 5 p.m. During the hearings, Council staff will provide an overview of actions being considered in the amendment. Staff will answer clarifying questions on the presented information and the proposed actions. Following the presentation and questions, the public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the amendment. Dated: July 2, 2024. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Regulatory Amendment 36 to the Snapper Grouper FMP Amendment 53 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Snapper Grouper FMP) became effective October 23, 2023, and established recreational vessel limits of 2 fish per vessel per day or per trip (depending on private recreational or for-hire component) of gag and black grouper (2 fish limit for each species). The Council intended for these limits to instead be an aggregate limit of 2 gag or black grouper per vessel. Therefore, the Council is considering a revision of these recreational vessel limits through Regulatory Amendment 36. Regulatory Amendment 36 also addresses stowage requirements for black sea bass pots equipped with ondemand (also known as ‘ropeless’) gear while transiting closed areas. Other regulations for black sea bass pots were reviewed and were determined to not limit the fishery’s ability to use pots equipped with on-demand gear in areas and times of year when pots are currently allowed. While transiting marine protected areas, special management zones, and spawning special management zones, black sea bass pots are required to be appropriately stowed, meaning they are not baited, and the buoy is not attached. Detaching and re-attaching the buoy is more difficult for pots with on-demand gear, due to the construction of ondemand retrieval mechanisms. Therefore, the Council is considering revision of the stowage requirements to better accommodate the transportation of this gear. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) 5 days prior to the meeting. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2024–14928 Filed 7–5–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE073] National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. AGENCY: The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting. DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, starting at 9:30 a.m. and continue through 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for agenda details. ADDRESSES: This will be an in-person meeting with a virtual option. SSC members, other invited meeting participants, and members of the public will have the option to participate in person at the Le Méridien Philadelphia, 1421 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA, or virtually via Webex webinar. Webinar connection instructions and briefing materials will be available at: www.mafmc.org/ssc. Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone: (302) 674–2331; website: www.mafmc.org. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, telephone: (302) 526–5255. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During this meeting, the SSC will make multiyear acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for Golden Tilefish, Black Sea Bass, Butterfish, and Atlantic Surfclam based on the results of the recently completed management track stock assessments and peer review. The SSC will recommend new 2025–27 ABC specifications for Golden Tilefish, new 2025 ABC recommendations for Black Sea Bass, new 2025–26 ABC recommendations for Butterfish, and review existing 2025–26 ABCs and E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM 08JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55920-55921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14844]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Notice of Availability of Final Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for Modernization and Expansion of Existing Semiconductor 
Fabrication Facilities Under the CHIPS Incentives Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; availability of a Final Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment and finding of no significant impact.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
announces the availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment (PEA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the 
modernization and expansion of existing semiconductor fabrication 
facilities under the CHIPS Incentives Program. The Final PEA addresses 
Federal financial assistance under the CHIPS Incentives Program for the 
proposed modernization or expansion of existing current-generation, 
mature-node, or leading-edge front- or back-end commercial 
semiconductor fabrication facilities within existing facility 
footprints.

ADDRESSES: The Final PEA and FONSI are available for review and 
download at https://www.nist.gov/chips/national-environmental-policy-act-nepa.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Frenkel, NIST, telephone number 
240-204-1960, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NIST prepared the Final PEA in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq., and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing 
regulations, 40 CFR parts 1500-1508. The Final PEA addresses Federal 
financial assistance for the proposed modernization or expansion of 
existing current-generation, mature-node, or leading-edge front- or 
back-end commercial semiconductor fabrication facilities within 
existing facility footprints (the Proposed Action).

Background

    The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) 
for America Act in title XCIX of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116-
283), as amended by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (Division A of 
Pub. L. 117-167) (together, the CHIPS Act or Act) authorized the CHIPS 
Incentives Program within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Program, 
which is administered by the CHIPS Program Office (CPO) within NIST, an 
agency of the Department, aims to boost American semiconductor 
research, development, and production.
    The CHIPS Incentives Program Commercial Fabrication Facilities 
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was originally published in 
February 2023 and amended in June 2023. The NOFO solicits applications 
for the construction, expansion, or modernization of commercial 
facilities for the front- or back-end fabrication of leading-edge, 
current-generation, and mature-node semiconductors; commercial 
facilities for wafer manufacturing; and commercial facilities for 
materials used to manufacture semiconductors and semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment, provided that the capital investment equals or 
exceeds $300 million. The potential amount available under the NOFO is 
up to $38.22 billion for direct funding and up to $75 billion in direct 
loan or guaranteed principals. CPO is responsible for completion of the 
NEPA process before Federal financial assistance can be disbursed.

Final PEA

    The purpose of the CHIPS Incentives Program in this area is to 
invest in U.S. production of strategically important semiconductors 
(``chips'') and ensure a sufficient, sustainable, and secure supply of 
older and current generation chips for national security purposes and 
critical manufacturing industries. As part of this effort, CPO aims to 
increase semiconductor manufacturing capacity and strengthen the 
security of the U.S. supply chain via the modernization of 
semiconductor production. The need for CPO's action in this area is to 
fulfill the agency's statutory responsibilities under the CHIPS Act, 
including the requirements of 15 U.S.C. 4652 to incentivize investment 
in facilities and equipment in the United States for the fabrication, 
assembly, testing, advanced packaging, production, or research and 
development of semiconductors, materials used to manufacture 
semiconductors, or semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
    Under the Proposed Action, CPO would provide Federal financial 
assistance for the proposed modernization or expansion of existing 
current-generation, mature-node, or leading-edge front- or back-end 
commercial semiconductor fabrication facilities within existing 
facility footprints. Eligible projects would include the replacement or 
upgrade of existing fab equipment, the addition of new semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment, and the expansion of cleanroom space.
    CPO published the Notice of Availability of the Draft PEA for 
public comment in the Federal Register on December 27, 2023.\1\ CPO 
extended the 30-day public comment period by two weeks from January 25, 
2024, to February 9, 2024.\2\ CPO considered the public comments 
received on the Draft PEA and has responded to comments in Appendix E 
of the Final PEA. CPO has made revisions to the PEA in response to 
comments where appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 88 FR 89372 (Dec. 27, 2023).
    \2\ 89 FR 6506 (Feb. 1, 2024).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on its analysis, CPO has determined that the Proposed Action 
to provide Federal financial assistance for the proposed modernization 
or expansion of existing current-generation, mature-node, or leading-
edge front- or back-end commercial semiconductor fabrication facilities 
(or ``fabs'') within existing fab facility footprints normally would 
not result in significant adverse environmental effects. Thus, 
preparation of a programmatic environmental impact

[[Page 55921]]

statement (EIS) is not required, and CPO is issuing a FONSI for the 
Proposed Action.
    Authority: This notice is provided pursuant to NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 
4336(b)(2), and the NEPA implementing regulations, 40 CFR 1506.6.

Alicia Chambers,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2024-14844 Filed 7-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
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