Letters: Electronics plant boom is good for environment

As extensively reported in the last several weeks, there’s an electronic manufacturing boom coming to Indiana—from SkyWater semiconductors to Stellantis electric batteries.

What’s not been highlighted, however, is how this increase in domestic manufacturing is not only a win for the economy, but also the environment.

Research from the Center for Climate and Trade shows that U.S. manufacturing is, across industries, much more carbon-efficient than the world average. We emit much less carbon pollution when producing the same manufactured goods. In computer and electronics production, America is more than twice as carbon-efficient as its foreign competitors.

Given such a dramatic disparity, U.S. policymakers should figure out how to boost our clean domestic production. One way is monetizing this American carbon advantage with carbon tariffs. This will protect our manufacturers and workers from the unfair competition of foreign firms that are producing the same goods with lower environmental standards and much higher pollution.

Especially since the U.S. is sinking billions of dollars in this field, accounting for America’s carbon advantage is more important than ever. I urge Congress to take a serious look.

–George Gemelas