U.S. Rep. Melancon talks to Brian Eiler, Dow employee and Destrehan resident, about issues facing the petrochemical industry during the congressman's recent visit to Dow's facility in St. Charles Parish.

After touring the chemical manufacturing site, Congressman Melancon visited with an audience of current and retired Dow (Union Carbide) employees, local and state elected officials, members of the area St. Charles Community Advisory Panel, members of the Louisiana Chemical Association, area industry leaders and members of the River Region Chamber of Commerce.

After a presentation by St. Charles Operations' Site Leader Nawzer Parakh, U.S. Rep. Melancon discussed with the audience business issues affecting the petrochemical industry and the state's economy. According to Parakh, Dow gets a "double hit" from high natural gas prices - in both power generation and raw material for products. He called on Melancon, through his participation in the House Resources Committee, "to enact legislation with strong incentives for gas conservation, diversify the nation's energy supply, increase gas drilling and exploration, and invest in storage and infrastructure."

Congressman Melancon said although his position requires him to spend time in Washington, spending the majority of his time in the district he represents is paramount to his success. "The chemical industry, including Dow, is vital to the economic wellbeing of the state, particularly in the Third District," he said. "We must do something about the high costs of energy and the captive nature of the rail system, which continue to adversely affect industry."

As the largest petrochemical company in Louisiana, Dow has eight locations (including joint ventures and subsidiaries) with more than 6,000 employees and contract employees. Because of the issues mentioned during Congressman Melancon's visit such as high energy costs, health care costs and litigation, businesses spend twenty percent more to do business in the United States than in other foreign countries. Parakh stated, "We hope that by working together with government officials on the federal, state and local levels, we can identify and understand key issues that impact Dow, our employees and our community. Together we can shape solutions to ensure our success."

After attending the forum, Dow employee Brian Eiler said, "As a Dow employee and a community member, I was very interested in hearing Congressman Melancon's thoughts at the forum, particularly on the need for rail reform. The captive position we are in with the railroad system has a direct impact on Dow's ability to operate at full capacity and ship our products out the door cheap and efficiently. It was reassuring to hear that my Congressman understood the issue as it impacts Dow. I will be anxiously looking for results in the coming year."

Clarence Garlepied, a Dow employee who also attended the meeting, said, "I was impressed with meeting Congressman Melancon face-to-face. He seems like a 'down-to-earth' guy who understands the needs of Dow and the chemical industry. I was left with the impression that Congressman Melancon will work hard to keep the best interest of the community in mind during his term in office."

Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

St. Charles Operations is owned by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. "Dow", as used throughout this web site, often refers generically to The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.