Dow Corning and Leading Solar Energy Companies Call for Policies to Make America...

Dow Corning and Leading Solar Energy Companies Call for Policies to Make
America a 21st Century Solar Power

WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives of Dow Corning, a leading
producer of silicon-based materials used in solar energy technologies, and
representatives of America's top solar energy companies visited Washington
D.C. today to call for new federal policies to encourage the growth of a
domestic solar energy industry that will promote economic growth, create jobs,
and help meet greenhouse gas emissions goals.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090624/DE35991)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081030/CLTH022LOGO)

"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. To make America a 21st century solar power, we need smart
and effective government policies from Congress that will help the private
sector grow, thrive and create thousands of new jobs," said Dow Corning
Chairman, President and CEO Stephanie A. Burns.

During the visit, Dow Corning and representatives from several of its leading
solar technology customers met with key members of Congress and the
Administration. 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.

Dow Corning was joined by nine of its customers representing the solar energy
value chain:
-- Abengoa Solar
-- BP Solar
-- Kyocera
-- National Semiconductor Corporation
-- Sanyo
-- SCHOTT Solar
-- Solar Power Industries
-- SolarWorld
-- Suniva, Inc.

Dow Corning's silicon-based materials are used in solar cell manufacturing,
solar module assembly and installation. In the past five years, Dow Corning
and its joint ventures at the Hemlock Semiconductor Group have announced
investments of more than $5 billion to research and develop as well as to
expand production of materials critical to the solar industry.

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.

About Dow Corning
Dow Corning (www.dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to
serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global
leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning
offers more than 7,000 products and services via the company's Dow Corning(R)
and XIAMETER(R) brands. Dow Corning is a joint venture equally owned by The
Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow
Corning's annual sales are outside the United States.

SOURCE Dow Corning Corporation

Jarrod Erpelding of Dow Corning Corporation, +1-989-496-1582