Bill Overview
Title: Micro Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy to carry out a program, which includes workforce training and development, to accelerate research for designing, developing, and manufacturing next-generation microelectronics.
Sponsors: Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
Target Audience
Population: People in industries related to microelectronics, energy technology, and related supply chains
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill focuses on next-generation microelectronics which suggests impacts on industries involved in semiconductors and electronics.
- It includes workforce training and development, implying effects on workers within these sectors.
- Research and development initiatives indicate involvement of scientific and technological communities.
- The Department of Energy's involvement suggests a push towards energy-efficient technologies, potentially benefiting the energy sector.
- The bill is likely to impact global electronic devices manufacturers and users due to advancements in microelectronics.
- Academic and educational institutions focusing on microelectronics and energy research will likely experience changes or funding increases.
Reasoning
- The policy targets workforce development in microelectronics, which primarily impacts individuals in the semiconductor industry, research labs, and academia.
- Given the focus on research and development, students and educational institutions involved in relevant fields are likely to experience changes.
- The budget constrains the reach, implying significant impacts will be felt by high-priority sectors or areas first, focusing mainly on innovation hotspots like Silicon Valley.
- The limitation to specific sectors means that while certain individuals will see a large impact, the overall spread across the US population will be moderate.
Simulated Interviews
Microelectronics Engineer (San Jose, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems promising for my work in energy-efficient microelectronics.
- I'm hopeful that workforce training will bring in fresh talent and ideas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
PhD Student in Electrical Engineering (Austin, TX)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the funding opportunities that might enhance our research capabilities.
- I hope this leads to more practical, industry-aligned projects in my department.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Energy Sector Manager (Albany, NY)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could improve our collaboration with tech firms focused on sustainable energy solutions.
- I anticipate a better alignment with federal clean energy goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Data Scientist (Boston, MA)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see potential in this act for tech professionals like myself who focus on sustainability.
- Workforce training could upskill many of my colleagues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Developer (Pittsburgh, PA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy will indirectly affect me, possibly through collaborations in sustainable tech.
- It's an encouraging step towards a greener future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Manufacturing Plant Supervisor (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this increases our plant's capacity for R&D in new microelectronics.
- Workforce training is much needed to keep us competitive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Automotive Engineer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act isn't groundbreaking for my work but could have peripheral benefits.
- Microelectronics advancements can help in vehicle technology too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Undergraduate Student (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a chance for more internships and research opportunities.
- Major projects like these can greatly influence my career path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Consultant (Portland, OR)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm keen to see if this act leads to meaningful environmental impacts.
- The connection between tech advancement and sustainability is complex but vital.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Electronics Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a retired educator, I find this policy refreshing, although it won't directly affect me.
- I'd love to see it inspire more young people to enter the field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $32000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $37000000)
Year 3: $34000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $39000000)
Year 5: $36000000 (Low: $31000000, High: $41000000)
Year 10: $40000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $45000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Significant upfront costs are associated with research and development in advanced microelectronics.
- The program's success hinges on effectively implementing workforce training, requiring collaboration with educational and training institutions.
- Potential non-financial benefits, such as technological leadership in microelectronics and energy sectors.
- Coordination and long-term commitment required from the Department of Energy.