The Department of Environmental Quality’s investigation into Intel’s non-existent permits for fluoride emissions has turned up more questions than answers and may impact the company’s huge D1X expansion project in Hillsboro.

Intel is expanding its $3 billion D1X research fab on its Ronler Acres campus, with the original plan calling for the addition of nearly 3.6 million square feet of new buildings.

The Oregonian is reporting that had fluoride emissions been included in the original expansion request for D1X, the agency would have applied a more rigorous process that included a permit and public notice. Instead, Intel needed on a letter of approval.