On June 23 & 24, Dow Corning led a delegation of leading representatives from the solar energy value chain to Washington, D.C. to call for new federal policies that would stimulate the growth of the nation's domestic solar energy industry, grow the U.S. economy, create jobs, and help meet greenhouse gas emissions goals.
Dow Corning's CEO Stephanie Burns and representatives from Abengoa Solar, Applied Materials, BP Solar, Kyocera, National Semiconductor Corp., Sanyo, SCHOTT Solar, Solar Power Industries, SolarWorld and Suniva, Inc. began the two day event by meeting with key members of President Barack Obama's administration to discuss the scaling up of renewable energy in the country, and how America can attain global leadership of the solar industry.
The group then joined over 65 executives from some of the country's leading renewable energy think tanks, trade associations, non-governmental organizations and non-profits at the Hay Adams Hotel, a Washington, D.C. landmark located across from the White House for a reception and dinner hosted by Dow Corning. The evening celebrated the solar industry and the impact it will have on supplying energy for America's future.
Wednesday morning media representatives were invited to a roundtable discussion at the National Press Club. Dow Corning introduced its policy recommendations for making America a 21st century solar power 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; and,
- Establish the federal government as a leader in the utilization of clean energy technologies.
- During the roundtable, Stephanie Burns stated, "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."