May 29, 2014

Earthrise Clients and Intel reach agreement on Clean Air Act Violation

Earthrise clients Neighbors for Clean Air (“NCA”) and Northwest Environmental Defense Center (“NEDC”) have reached an agreement with Intel to resolve claims the company failed to obtain the proper air emissions permit for its new D1X expansion, currently under construction in Hillsboro.
Earthrise clients Neighbors for Clean Air (“NCA”) and Northwest Environmental Defense Center (“NEDC”) have reached an agreement with Intel to resolve claims the company failed to obtain the proper air emissions permit for its new D1X expansion, currently under construction in Hillsboro. The settlement agreement will require the company to comprehensively evaluate its impact on the community and includes measures to promote transparency and emissions reductions. 

The agreement commits Intel to: Establish an Air Quality Advisory Committee (“AQAC”). The AQAC will oversee the implementation of conditions of the settlement agreement and will negotiate the terms of a Good Neighbor Agreement with Intel.  

  • Complete a Risk Assessment based on California’s risk assessment rules. This will require Intel to complete an emissions inventory, including stack testing above and beyond what is being required by DEQ, as well as modeling to determine impact on the community from Intel’s facilities.  
  • If the risk assessment shows that Intel presents an unacceptable risk (more than 25 excess cancers in a million people), Intel will take further action to reduce pollution.  
  • Commit $150k for third party ambient air monitoring in the community.
  • Commit $80k to support a community contracted expert to offer advice to the AQAC on technical issues.

Read the press release, settlement agreement, and other updates here:  www.whatsinourair.org/Intel