Semiconductor manufacturing is critical to Oregon’s economy: it’s the state’s largest manufacturing sector in terms of employment, exports and contributions to its gross domestic product. Intel, the state’s top chipmaker, employs 23,000 people and is Oregon’s largest corporate employer.

But the chips – celebrated by state lawmakers, ubiquitous in thousands of computer systems, from desktops and cell phones to medical devices and wind turbines – also come with a major disadvantage. Chipmaking is a heavy industry that’s one of the dirtiest in the state. Chip manufacturing pollutes the air, uses huge quantities of water and energy and generates a greenhouse gasses, significantly contributing to the state’s slice of global warming.

Mike Rogoway, who covers the business of technology for The Oregonian/OregonLive, talks about why Intel and other semiconductor companies are so polluting, what they’re doing about it and why it’s so difficult to clean up this essential industry sector.

“It’s not clear at this point whether we can have our cake and eat it too, whether we can have our more advanced semiconductors and have more clean materials used in the manufacturing process,” said Rogoway. “I think the companies are committed to finding a way there. I just don’t think we have clarity at this point as to how they will get there or how long it will take.”

Read more about Intel/chip manufacturers’ environmental impact:

Intel’s expansion plans revive concerns about Oregon factories’ environmental impact

Intel wins air quality permit for Oregon expansion despite underreporting carbon emissions

Intel contractor sues for $550,000, says toxic chemicals in Oregon factory cost him his sense of taste and smell

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