DOE/EA-1727: Final Environmental Assessment

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) proposed action is to issue a loan guarantee to AE Polysilicon Corporation (AEP) to be used for construction and startup of a Phase 2 commercial polysilicon production unit consisting of three silicon refining process blocks. The polysilicon product would be used in the subsequent manufacture by others of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. One polysilicon process block (Phase 1) at the AEP production facility is currently completing construction and has an estimated full-load annual output of 1,800 metric tons. AEP plans to construct the Phase 2 project adjacent to the existing Phase 1 polysilicon production facility. The Phase 2 expansion would add three additional process blocks and could increase total annual polysilicon production maximum full-load capacity by an estimated 5,400 metric tons to a total facility production capacity of 7,200 metric tons.