Dow Corning CEO at White House to Discuss Renewable Energy with President Obama

The meeting was the latest in a series of small-scale roundtables that the President is hosting and included Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and several other CEOs of renewable energy companies at the White House. President Obama's speech during this event was featured on CNN.com.

Burns was invited in recognition of the leadership role Dow Corning has staked in the solar energy field, demonstrated by the more than $5 billion in solar investments the company and its joint ventures at the Hemlock Semiconductor Group have announced over the past five years to research and develop as well as to expand production of materials critical to solar cell manufacturing, solar module assembly and installation..

“Solar energy is a clean, efficient and readily available technology that with the right support could help transform America’s energy, environmental and economic future,” Burns said. “To make America a 21st century solar power, we need smart and effective government policies that will help the private sector grow, thrive and create thousands of new jobs.”

The trip to Washington was the second in as many weeks for Burns and other Dow Corning representatives to discuss solar energy policy with government officials.

On June 23, Dow Corning and 10 customers met with key members of Congress and the Administration, including House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner. They delivered to policy makers a Four Point Policy Plan that outlines the steps needed to encourage the adoption of solar energy technologies and support a new renewable energy manufacturing sector in America. The plan calls on Congress and the Obama Administration to:

* Enact a broad federal legislative and regulatory package, designed to encourage the 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.
* Increase renewable energy-related education, training and job creation.
* Establish the federal government as a leader in the utilization of clean energy technologies.

To learn more about Dow Corning’s efforts to promote a comprehensive energy policy that will support the growth and success of a vibrant American solar energy industry visit www.dowcorning.com/solarpolicy.