Manufacturing

Challenge: To evaluate and improve the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) performance at two semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

Solution: As part of meeting Freescale’s internal EHS requirements, INTERA completed an EHS audit at two of the company’s semiconductor manufacturing facilities Freescale’s EHS Management System included 47 individual EHS programs that needed to be evaluated as part of the audit. Team members with matching expertise were assigned to program areas that included air emissions, risk management planning, source reduction/waste minimization, stormwater/groundwater, waste disposal and recycling, and wastewater management. In addition to program area records, interviews with Freescale’s Program Managers were included in the data gathering process. 

Results: Audit findings were documented and reported in accordance with Freescale’s EHS Management System and confidentiality requirements. To minimize interruptions to productivity, the audits were conducted in a concentrated format over a three- to five-day timeframe at each facility.

Challenge: To obtain an air quality permit needed for facility construction to proceed.

Solution: INTERA prepared a permit application proposing construction authorization of a grassroots wafer fabrication facility. A formal report was submitted to the state documenting air dispersion modeling results in support of the permit application. Prior to submittal of the permit application, we participated in meetings with concerned citizens as well as City of Austin public hearings in support of the project. After the permit application was submitted, INTERA assisted Samsung in resolving a citizen protest to the permit.

Results: Samsung received a permit 60 days after the application was submitted to the state, clearing the way for construction of the company’s first semiconductor manufacturing facility in the United States.

Challenge: To decommission equipment and infrastructure at a semiconductor manufacturing facility in preparation for property divestiture and redevelopment.

Solution: INTERA provided third-party environmental consulting services during decommissioning activities for a portion of a semiconductor manufacturing facility.  Demolition activities included removal of raised flooring, ceiling tiles, process vents and ducting, sheetrock, process water supply piping, lighting, air recirculation and vacuum systems, concrete, wastewater/solvent conveyance systems/piping, and chemical product, waste/wastewater, and petroleum storage tanks.  Site assessment activities were conducted under the direction of an INTERA licensed Professional Engineer.  The site assessment activities evaluated and compared data from soil, water, and groundwater analyses to the Abatement Standard agreed to by the seller and the buyer and thereby determine if the Site met the client’s obligations under the Site Lease and Sale agreements. As part of establishing the Abatement Standard, a site-specific background study for naturally occurring metal concentrations was one of the initial tasks performed. Soil, water, and groundwater samples were collected from under concrete floors and slabs, pipe trench excavations, building crawlspaces, subsurface soils, and a temporary monitoring well, and analyzed for the Site constituents of concern. A formal Decommissioning Report, including a description of general procedures, a detailed summary of decommissioning activities, a QA/QC program description, and conclusions was prepared and certified by our Professional Engineer. The project supported the successful sale and repurposing of the facilities into a data center.

Results: INTERA’s efforts supported the successful sale of the Site and subsequent redevelopment into a data center.