Dow Corning CEO Calls for Focus on Green Manufacturing

Incentives, Public-Private Partnerships Key to Green Growth

MIDLAND, Mich., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Immediate, decisive investments in the green manufacturing sector can help boost America's exports, lower the trade deficit, create jobs and increase its competitiveness in a dynamic world marketplace, according to Dr. Stephanie A. Burns, chairman, president and CEO of Dow Corning Corp.

"I'm convinced that green jobs, especially green manufacturing jobs, can be a major factor in our economic recovery," she said. "I believe that with the right mix of private investment, government support, and entrepreneurial spirit, we can revitalize the heart of our nation's economy – our manufacturing sector. We need to make this commitment now, or the net long-term effect will be the export of jobs today and the import of foreign-made solar panels tomorrow."

Burns made her remarks in her keynote address of today's 2010 International District Export Council Conference session "Capitalizing on America's Export Advantages: Green & Innovation."

"We need the policies in place for renewables manufacturing to flourish here – in order to have the opportunities for export," she said. "Other nations have adopted aggressive policies to support the growth of their renewable-energy manufacturing base, but companies that hope to manufacture in the U.S. are faced with discouraging barriers. It is time for America to put into place incentives to attract this growing sector.  There is an immediate need for strategic, short-term, demand-side incentives that will pave the way for solar power growth, jobs and an export market in the United States."

Burns also discussed Dow Corning's proposed four-point plan to grow the domestic solar industry, which she said addresses many of the manufacturing, legislative, regulatory and workforce-related factors that influence America's ability to develop a thriving, domestic industry that will increase exports.

The four points are for the U.S. government to:

• Establish legislative and regulatory policies to encourage rapid growth of a viable renewable energy industry and encourage consumer adoption;
• Increase investments in research and development to support innovation in solar energy technologies;
• Invest in renewable energy-related education, training and job creation; and
• Lead by example in the implementation of clean technologies.

About Dr. Stephanie A. Burns

Dr. Burns has been a member of Dow Corning's Board of Directors since 2001, was elected president in 2003 and chief executive officer in 2004. She was elected chairman in 2006.  In July 2010, she was appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama to the President's Export Council, a public/private sector advisory committee that advises the President on international trade strategies.

About Dow Corning and the solar industry

One of the only companies in the world to provide silicon-based solutions throughout the entire photovoltaic value chain, Dow Corning is investing to expand its portfolio of products for the solar and wind energy industries. Over the past five years, Dow Corning and its joint ventures at the Hemlock Semiconductor Group have announced approximately $5 billion of U.S. investment to research, develop and expand production of materials critical to the global solar industry.

About Dow Corning

Dow Corning (www.dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more than 7,000 products and services via the company's Dow Corning^® and XIAMETER^® brands. Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning's annual sales are outside the United States.

Follow Dow Corning on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/dowcorning

Visit Dow Corning's YouTube channel: www.YouTube.com/dowcorningcorp

SOURCE Dow Corning

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