California is doing to its semiconductor industry today what it did to its former aerospace industry in the 1980s: killing it. Astonishingly this is at a time when they are virtually bankrupt and cannot even send people their state tax refund checks.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-02-26-semiconductor-emission_N.htm?loc=interstitialskipFirst paragraphs:
SACRAMENTO — California air regulators on Thursday broadened their reach into Silicon Valley, implementing rules intended to cut greenhouse gas emissions from semiconductor plants.
The state Air Resources Board voted unanimously to regulate some of the most potent gases produced by the semiconductor industry, which makes chips for cellphones, computers and cars.
By Jan. 1, 2012, more than a dozen California chip manufacturers must reduce their use of fluorinated gases. Scientists say such emissions trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere at a rate 23,000 times higher than carbon dioxide.
"The chemicals are highly potent greenhouse gases. It's important that we begin the process of phasing them out," board chairwoman Mary Nichols said.
Because California has a robust semiconductor industry, the boards' actions could set a global standard for reducing emissions, Nichols said.
