The following is the perfect answer for a group of politicians who do not understand the situation
American chemical companies are in with the rising costs of ethylene/natural gas.

Quote :

" [S]teep increases in the cost of natural gas, the industry's chief source of power and raw materials, made it difficult for U.S. companies to compete with firms in other parts of the world where energy and raw material costs are lower, he said. To cope, U.S. chemical makers shut down plants in some instances and increased energy efficiency in others. Since 1990, Dow, the largest U.S. chemical maker with more than $46 billion in 2005 global chemical sales, improved energy efficiency by 92%. And as energy costs rose, the company shut down 23 plants in North America and shifted production overseas to regions where energy prices were lower, Liveris said at the hearing. And then Dow's CEO said what few would say in such a public forum: "There is no doubt that our company will continue to grow and thrive-it is simply a question of where." If U.S. energy policy did not change to allow development of oil and gas resources that Congress has put off limits, Dow would have to find attractively priced energy and raw material elsewhere, Liveris said. And then he wrapped up his remarks with a somewhat conciliatory statement. "Make no mistake," he said. "I want our company and our industry to invest here. The decisions you make over the next days and weeks will determine if we are able to do so." "

What Dow's CEO really means is
Dow can not handle the variable raw material costs in this country
Do not make my feedstock America's fuel solution
Environmental restrictions force energy prices to levels that make disincentives to doing business
Dow will do what is best for Dow long term - CEO bonus's are riding on it

Inherently safer chemicals is not inherently better technology.
You can't just make the technology feasible because you want it to be. You can't make it economical because you make the laws.
Yeah 40 hampsters running the wheels under my hood is more inherently safe than an engine, but that doesn't mean that it is an equivalent technology.

Please congress put your balls on the chopping block and make some difficult decisions

http://news.dow.com/dow_news/corporate/2006/20060215a.htm
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/84/8422liveris.html

[Edited on May 31, 2006 at 12:20 AM. Reason : Hampsters]

5/31/2006 12:19:11 AM

what's so shocking about what he said? it makes good business sense for his company to do exactly what he suggests.

5/31/2006 12:36:35 AM

Quote :

"[S]teep increases in the cost of natural gas,"

Uh, natural gas is at a 2 year low, therefore I suspect this article is old.

5/31/2006 8:47:51 AM

Quote :

"February 15, 2006"

5/31/2006 8:55:10 AM