Green Options

Dow Chemical Company revealed a new line of solar shingles they say can be installed into roofs made of conventional asphalt shingles.The solar shingles should be available by mid 2010 in a limited supply and then readily accessible by 2011.

Editor’s Note: This post is a guest contribution by Adam Shake.

The symbiosis between cars and chemically-produced biofuels is growing closer as Ford Motor Company and DOW Chemical Company announced plans yesterday to hold a National Convention to discuss the future of manufacturing, technology, energy and the environment.

Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford and Dow Chemical Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Andrew Liveris are scheduled to discuss “The National Summit,” which will take place June 15-17 2009, at Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions.

“The United States can no longer afford to take economic leadership for granted,” Ford said in a statement issued Monday by the economic club. “The National Summit offers a rare opportunity for leaders to come together to address the issues that impact our global competitiveness.”

DOW Chemical, who may be best known for its supply of Agent Orange to the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War, also made Chlorpyrifos, marketed as Dursban.  Dursban was a home and garden insecticide (now banned for home use) and is also a nerve toxin that has been associated with reproductive and developmental toxicity. One study claims that Dow has contributed to 80% of the Chlorpyrifos burden of the United States.