Document 5DJz85k5XB6x2483xxN3z4DRe

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING Stouffer Tower Qity 24 Public Square Cleveland, Ohio Tuesday March 8, 1994 2:00 p.m. Attendees: J. Alan Bailey, OxyChem Pat Benkner, Vinyl Institute Robert H. Burnett, Vinyl Institute Peter de la Cruz, Keller and Heckman Lew Freeman, SPI Roy T. Gottesman, CMR Dave Meeker, Edward Howard William F. Patient, Geon Company John L. Russ, Borden Chemicals and Plastics Mark J. Schneider, Vista Chemical Company Erv E. Schroeder, Shintech Vic Struber, Witco Corporation I. SELF-INTRODUCTIONS AMD MEETING OBJECTIVES Chairman Bill Patient called the meeting to order with a round of self-introductions. He asked that the first order of business be discussion of the recommendations from the Environmental Task Force that he established at the last Executive Committee meeting. II. CHAIRMAM18 ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE Mark Schneider reported on the task force meetings, one held in January and one in February as follows: - Gathered intelligence - Determined coalition opportunities - Identified major issues - Arrived at objectives - Identified major elements of a strategy plan - Identified need to address industry vulnerabilities SPI-U570 2 Ha noted that our position is indefensible. We do not have a database to use as a rebuttal to these allegations nor do we have any industry opinion of what to do about it. At this point, Bob Burnett noted that the group should be aware that some member companies raised concern as to whether or not we should even be discussing testing and opened the floor to Peter de la Cruz. REDACTED At this time, there was a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of testing. Testing of these materials is very difficult There was also a concern that if member companies tested, what the next step would be and what would be done with the results once we had them. It was also suggested that the VI could sponsor a model analysis by taking one plant in the industry and performing a full scale study and have an analytical expert in toxicology and in the biological science area evaluate the results. Bob Burnett noted that one member company may have some data shortly that they can share and this might be the "test case" we are looking for (air emis sions only). Action Item: The EDC/VCM Task Force should put together a proposal for presentation at the next Board meeting in May. Mark Schneider then continued with his presentation on recommendations from the Environmental Task Force as follows: What are the Issues? - Greenpeace is out to destroy the vinyl industry because this is the key to destroying the chlorine industry. Science alone will not prevail. Environmental groups give no credence to facts or data. - We need to have a political response and the war will be won or lost in Washington, D.C. Mark then reported that our objectives should be: - To protect the future of the vinyl industry by pre empting and neutralizing attacks and promoting the benefits of vinyl. SPI-11571 3 Ha then vent on to give a background of the major developments since the last Board meeting in December as follows: EPA Clean Water Act study (February 1) Greenpeace pickets Geon Australia (February 7) IJC 7th Biennial Report (February 17) Greenpeace pickets Borden's Geismar plant (February 21) Greenpeace attacks Charles River data (February 22) Activities on the horizon: EPA Clean Water Act mark-up EPA dioxin reassessment Other potential legislation on the federal/state level Greenpeace target cities campaign (possibly Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo, Great Lakes cities) Then followed the proposed elements to a management plan: - Augment Vinyl Institute staff Full time vs. consulting Desired location for such a person - Skills needed now and in the future - Salary fee requirements Recruiting a spokesperson to support industry perspective Ideal Candidate: National standing with recognized credibility Conversant with regulatory and legislative process Someone with entre in the environmental community Familiar with the vinyl industry Expanding issues communications program and major new initiatives - Broad-based promotion of vinyl benefits Ecobenefits Performance - Quality of life contributions - Economic value Proven track record Expanded mobilization efforts On the Firing Line II Build and expand Partners Program beyond the VI - New level of coalition building - More Tools needed to make partners effective Revised video - New environmental brochure - Grassroots action kit - Profiles on ecobenefits for majorapplications SPI-11572 4 Dave Meeker then discussed in more detail the communications area and linkage with the current program. He gave an overyiew in detail which is attached to the minutes of this meeting which includes a sheet on budget costs. It was suggested that the "spokesperson" should not be a lobbyist but someone who can support the industry AND talk with environmentalists. Bob Burnett noted that when Mongoven asked the group what the real objective is, it was to reaffirm, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that PVC is an environmentally acceptable material. He also noted that they offered to work with us on a retainer basis ($2,500 per month) to monitor and analyze information coming out of Washington, D.C., with a focus on environmental groups. Alan Bailey asked if the task force had any potential candi dates for this spokesperson and Bob Burnett noted that one possible name brought up was Bill Reilly (immediate past EPA administrator). Bill Patient asked Lew Freeman if there might be anyone at SPI who would fit this position? Possibly an environmental issues specialist; someone with industry background and empathy who knows his way around the hill. Lew Freeman noted that SPI is making other divisions aware of this issue and that SPI has a good entre with the Clinton administration. He noted that Larry Thomas had a meeting with Mack McLarty, Maureen Healey has been involved in correspon dence with Carol Browner and SPI has some good contacts, so that it might also be a good idea to take some Vinyl Institute representatives into these meetings. A copy of his letter to Bob Burnett is attached to these minutes. The consensus of the committee was that the Vinyl Institute needs to be directly involved to protect our interests in this issue instead of relying on other associations. Bill Patient indicated that we have not touched on the legal and process area. We have to be able to challenge these environmental groups when they subvert the process (ex. IJC) . Unless we are willing to challenge them, they will just think they~can continue to do this without jeopardy. Peter de la Cruz noted that as far as the U.S. agencies, there are procedures (political or judicial), but for international organizations like the IJC, essentially you have to go to the U.S. government and there is no good way to litigate. Your recourse is basically political. SPI-11573 5 III. BPPQBT Bob Burnett gave the group an overview of the cash basis statement through January 1994. He then went on to review the proposed budget for 1994-1995. It was noted that priorities are being looked at and some reorganization is taking place as with the VIGOR budget, which has appropriately been dropped down to $150,000 for the next fiscal year. IV. RB8FOM8B TO IJC The question was raised as to taking some appropriate action against the IJC for the way the meeting was conducted in Windsor, Canada. Roy Gottesman suggested that Edward Howard draft a letter to the IJC voicing our concerns and complaints. Lew Freeman suggested sending copies of that letter to incoming commissioners and the senate foreign relations committee. He noted that he would also identify the key person in the White House and state department to send a letter to regarding this matter. Action Item: Lew Freeman to get back to the Vinyl Institute to identify the above-mentioned individual. Action Item: Edward Howard to draft the above-mentioned letter. It was noted that the letter should be sent in before G. Durnhill leaves and should go out under the VI Chairman's signature. V. RESPONSIBLE CARE Bob Burnett noted that he received no further questions or queries on the Responsible Care Program. The Vinyl Institute will be paying $5,000 for an annual partnership fee and will incorporate this into the bylaws under conditions of member ship. The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted. Pat Benkner Assistant Manager SPI-11574