Texas Operations Public Report 2007

Economic Prosperity
Energy
Government Reportable Data
Product and Plant Safety
Workplace Safety
Diversity
Contributions
Community Survey
Emissions
Waste
Waste Water

Economic Prosperity [top]

Capital Project Expenditures
In 2007, capital spending increased to its highest level in five years. Texas Operations continues to be a leader in the community by building new plants and expanding existing plants. The capital projects will boost the economy in this region. However, the continued rise in U.S. energy costs coupled with a volatile economy could hinder the potential for future project activity.

Production
Production in 2007 increased significantly and demand remained strong despite a number of factors, including higher feedstock and energy costs, and the volatile global economy. 

Total Payroll
The Texas Operations payroll has consistently risen over the past decade and continues to be a major component of the economic prosperity for this region.

Energy [top]

Energy Use
Texas Operations' 2007 performance represents a 25 percent reduction in Energy Intensity relative to our 1994 baseline performance.

Government Reportable Data [top]

Number of Incidents
Number of incidents fell to the second lowest in 14 years in 2007, underscoring our commitment to working with government regulatory agencies and enhancing our Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) performance.

Notices of Violation (NOV) and Compliance Orders
Dow will continue to focus on improving NOV and Compliance Orders, down 12 percent from the previous year, through appropriate regulatory requirements as well as our own voluntary reduction goals.

Fines and Penalties
Each year Dow spends millions of dollars related to its regulatory compliance efforts.

Product and Plant Safety [top]

Leaks, Breaks and Spills
Loss of primary containment (LOPC) incidents such as leaks, breaks and spills, remained the same from the previous year and have been reduced by 81 percent since our 1994 baseline performance. 

Process Safety Code Incidents
The number of Process Safety Code Incidents dropped by 33 percent from the previous year - matching results in 2005, which were the lowest since our baseline year of 1994.

Workplace Safety [top]

Injury and Illness Rate
The safety of our employees, the site and our community remains our highest priority. 2007 recordables were up slightly from the two previous years. 

Motor Vehicle Incidents
Texas Operations reduced its motor vehicle accident (MVA) rate by more than 65 percent from 1994 to 2006.  MVA rose slightly in 2007.

Diversity [top]

Dow Texas Operations has employees from 40 countries (including the U.S.). Fifty-one percent of employees hold degrees from 539 colleges and universities in 48 U.S. states and 30 countries. Texas Operations supports a variety of diversity networks.

Contributions [top]

Texas Operations contributed $1.2 million to the local community in 2007, the same as 2006 and up slightly from 2005. 

Community Survey [top]

The previous community opinion survey conducted in October 2004 by an independent pollster, at the request of Dow Texas Operations, revealed that 84 percent of those polled responded that overall they felt favorable toward Dow.  That number dropped slightly, to 82 percent, based on a 2007 survey.  Factors cited as influences on favorability included community involvement, employment opportunities and economic benefits to the community.

Emissions [top]

Chemical Emissions
There has been a 37 percent reduction in Chemical Emissions since the baseline year of 1994, though numbers rose slightly in 2007.

Emissions of Priority Compounds
There has been an 87 percent reduction in Priority Emissions since the baseline year of 1994. 

Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
There has been a 56 percent reduction in VOC emissions since the baseline year of 1994.

Waste [top]

There has been a 44 percent reduction in the pounds of waste generated per pound of product produced since the baseline year of 1994. The implementation of new recycle technology in 2003 continues to allow for the re-use of material previously considered waste. (Bi-products not previously included in this calculation were included in 2006 and 2007).

Waste Water [top]

Dow recorded the lowest amount of waste water generated and a 35 percent reduction since its baseline year of 1994.  Improved efficiency at running at higher rates is being seen due to new technology and better operating discipline. (Bi-products not previously included in this calculation were included in 2006 and 2007).