Document MG5n2BKwy7e2Oq0wXGb82azoM

VINYL INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE BOARD SPI Headquarters 1275 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Wednesday September 8, 1993 8:00a - 12 Noon ATTENDEES: John M. Avento, Elf Atochem Raymond Azrak, Union Carbide Corporation J. Alan Bailey, OxyChem Pat Benkner, Vinyl Institute Rolf Buhl, European Vinyls Corporation Robert H. Burnett, Vinyl Institute Peter de la Cruz, Keller & Heckman George S. Dillon, Jr., Dow Chemical Company Lewis R. Freeman, SPI C. A. Gellner, CertainTeed Corporation Ron Gilbert, Westlake Group Roy T. Gottesman, Chemical Management Resources, Inc. Bill Jenkins, GE Specialty Chemicals Monte Kaneko, Mitsubishi Kasei Vinyl Lars Kildahl, Norsk Hydro Fred E. Krause, The Geon Company L. G. Krauskopf, Exxon Chemical Company Brad Lienhart, Chlorine Chemistry Council/CMA (in part) Ron McCreedy, Dow Chemical Company Dave Meeker, Edward Howard & Co. G. J. Muller, BASF Corporation Mike Reynolds, Vista Chemical John Russ, Borden Chemicals and Plastics Meredith N. Scheck, Vinyl Institute E. E. Schroeder, Shintech Inc. Nelson E. Stefany, Rohm and Haas Company Victor R. Struber, Witco Corporation John R. Svalander, European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers Tom Swanson, Georgia Gulf Corporation Larry L. Thomas, SPI SPI- 09463 IV. FINANCIAL REPORT 3 A. Final Report on FY 1992-1993 Budget Mr. Burnett reviewed the final report on the FY 1992-1993 Budget (the period from June 1, 1992 through May 31, 1993) as included under Tab B of the briefing book. He noted the higher-than-projected carryover line represents savings attributed to using loans rather than grants to support recycling related projects. B. Status of Current Expenditures Mr. Burnett reviewed the cash basis statement for the period ending July 31, 1993 (the first two months of the fiscal year) as included under Tab C of the briefing book. V.CHAIRMAN*S REPORT ON SEPTEMBER 7. MEETING 1993 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Reporting for VI Chairman William Patient, Vice Chairman Alan Bailey noted that the Executive Committee discussed in detail a potable water issue in the state of Kansas that is being addressed jointly with the Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association. He noted that while a detailed presentation would be made to the full Board during the Issues Management Report, he wanted to apprise the Executive Board that the Executive Committee approved the expenditure of funds necessary to develop a sampling protocol and to execute a statistically valid sampling program. The Executive Committee agreed to use the carryover funds from the FY 1992-1993 budget to initiate this activity and will address any additional funding requirements through either a special assessment or redirection of other program activities at the determination of the Treasurer and Executive Committee. Mr. Bailey noted that the Board will be kept fully apprised. VI. I88PE8 MANAGEMENT REPORT A. Report of Organizational Structure Mr. Krause, chair of the Issues Management Committee reviewed the organizational structure that has been developed. He noted that membership is currently composed of the chairs of the Technical, VIGOR and Health, Safety & Environment Committees as well as company and association legal counsel, company and consultant communications staff, a member company health/toxicology specialist, a government affairs corporate state representative, and two individuals in SPI- 09465 4 the marketing/sales area. Mr. Krause stated that the committee has created ad hoc groups/task forces to handle specific issues for the committee and that the seven current ad hoc groups are relying on teleconferencing to the maximum extent possible, to contain travel expendi tures and to avoid trying to coordinate travel schedules. B. Potable Water Issue - Kansas Mr. Krause's report on a joint VI/Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association project to define the source of high RVCM levels in a certain water district identified by the Kansas Department of Health, to determine the scope and potential impacts of the findings, and to suggest appropriate remediation activities as outlined in the material appended to the minutes of the meeting. Mr. Krause noted that Dave Eckstein of Uni-Bell, who is serving as project lead, reviewed with the Executive Committee a chronology of the issue, which began in June 1992 with the detection by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) of VCM in water in one rural water district of up to 8 parts per billion, and the July 1992 notice by KDHE to users in this water district advising the use of an alternate drinking water source. Mr. Krause noted that Uni-Bell was notified by EPA in March 1993 of significantly higher levels of RVCM in this same district and requested industry's assistance in remediation technology. Mr. Krause referenced the joint VI/Uni-Bell project to source the VCM completed with the cooperation of the National Sanitation Founda tion, and detailed discussions with the USEPA during an August meeting. Mr. Krause noted that in addition to the action steps identified on the attached, updated statements will be provided to reflect further developments. C. EDC/VCM/PVC Ad Hoc Task Force Mr. Krause reviewed the objectives of this task force as detailed in the material attached to the minutes of this meeting, and highlighted the actions taken to date and updated the Board on discussions during a recent teleconference related to protocol development and testing initiatives. He noted that the third party review by ChemRisk of the Greenpeace report "Dioxin Factories..." has been completed. Mr. Kildahl distrib uted an August 18 a press release reviewing the results of tests conducted during January-July 1993 analyzed by SPI- 09466 5 the California-based ALTA Analytical Laboratory. In response to a question from Mr. Dillon, Mr. Kildahl noted that he would provide a copy of the protocol to Mr. Burnett for appropriate distribution. Although not an issue discussed by the EDC/VCM/PVC Task Force, Mr. Azrak apprised the Board of a recent communi cation from Union Carbide to all site employees and retirees of its Bound Brook, New Jersey facility advising them of the results of two recently completed health studies, one of which focused on employees who worked at the site for seven or more months from 1946 through 1967. Mr. Azrak distributed a copy of the statement and offered to make the full report available should it be requested. D. Chlorine/PVC/IJC Call to Action Mr. Krause reviewed the action plan developed to address activities up to and including the October 21-24 meeting of the International Joint Commission and urged those who have not yet done so to help provide a strong industry participation in the meeting and ancillary events. Mr. Krause noted that a series of stakeholder meetings are being planned by the CCC and that industry sponsorship and attendance is being sought. Mr. Krause detailed the government relations activity underway, which is being managed by Ms. Debbie Neale of Neale & Associates. Mr. Freeman offered the assistance of SPI with federal legislative contacts. Mr. Krause noted that it is anticipated that anti-chlorine activities will continue past the October meeting and noted that the intensity of the anti-chlorine initiative at the federal and state level will depend only to some extent on the final work product of the International Joint Commission. VII. OPTREACH/COMMPNICATION8 ACTIVITIES Mr. Meeker reviewed the activities underway through the Partners' Program, including the recent publication of a newsletter for the program participants. Mr. Meeker requested additional partners, particularly in those top 100 cities not presently covered. Mr. Meeker also provided an update on VERCE. Mr. Meeker described the activities of the Council of Great Lakes Industries (CGLI) , who have been charged with coordinat ing industry participation in the upcoming IJC meeting and referenced the work that Edward Howard & Co. is doing for the CGLI. Mr. Meeker noted that a substantial amount of Edward Howard & Co. activity is targeted toward supporting the programs of the Issues Management Committee and noted that this is covered in the quarterly report to the Board included under Tab E of the briefing book. SPI- 09467 6 VIII.LEGISLATIVE. LEGAL AMD COMMITTEE UPDATES A. General Counsel's Report Mr. de la Cruz noted that included in the General Counsel's report under Tab J of the briefing book is a support of the EPA's Proposed Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance, and noted that this guidance listed chlorine as one of sixteen "excluded pollutants" because the Agency believes that it is otherwise adequately regulated. One item not covered in the briefing material that might be of interest is the recently proposed North American Free Trade Agreement, and its side agreements on environ mental issues. Mr. de la Cruz noted that among the recommendations is a proposed commission to make recom mendations on environmental issues. He further noted that the environmental community is presently split over support of NAFTA due to the side agreement. B. Vinvl Institute Group on Recycling On behalf of Bill Carroll, Chairman of the Vinyl Insti tute Group on Recycling, Mr. Burnett updated the Board on the status of committee activities as included in the material under Tab H of the briefing book. C. Other Reports Mr. McCreedy, Chair of the Technical Committee noted that the report contained under Tab F of the briefing book was complete through August 18 and offered to respond to any questions. On behalf of Frank Borrelli, Chair of the VI Health, Safety & Environment Committee, Mrs. Scheck referenced the report under Tab G of the briefing book and noted the proposed General Provisions of the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants. She noted no update to the Legislative Report included under Tab I. IX.INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES A. International Group of Chlorine chemistry Associations and Tripartite Conference Messrs. Burnett and Svalander updated the Board on the plans/agenda for the October 26-29 meetings of the International Group of Chlorine Chemistry Associations and the separate Tripartite Conference. Mr. Burnett noted that at the present time there are five U.S. delegates to the Tripartite conference and that addition al slots are available. SPI- 09468 8 4. Mitsubishi Kasei Vinyls Corp. Mr. Kaneko noted that there are no major new devel opments in Japan to report. X. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS A. Membership Applications Mr. Bailey referenced that there are three applications on which official action is needed: MOTION: Mr. Schroeder moved that the application for Associate Membership in the Vinyl Institute submitted by Norsk Hydro a.s. as included under Tab K of the briefing book and approved by the Membership Committee be approved. The motion was seconded by Mr. Russ and unanimously approved. MOTION: Mr. Struber moved that the application for Affiliate Membership in the Vinyl Institute submitted by BASF Corporation and approved by the Membership Committee be approved. The motion was seconded by Mr. Schroeder and unanimously approved. MOTION: Mr. Schroeder moved that the membership application for Full Membership in the Institute submitted by The Geon Company as included under Tab K of the briefing book and approved by the Membership Committee be approved. The second was made by Mr. Krauskopf and unanimously ap proved . On behalf of the VI Chair and the full Executive Board, Mr. Bailey welcomed Norsk Hydro to the Institute and welcomed BASF back to the Institute as an Affiliate Member. B. Report of the Nominating committee On behalf of the Executive Committee, Mr. Bailey noted that with Mr. Schiffer's departure from the Georgia Gulf Corporation it was necessary for the Nominating Committee to meet to fill certain officer seats. He reported that the Vinyl Institute bylaws call for the Vice Chairman to automatically assume the Chairmanship should the seat become open during the term of office. Mr. Patient, SPI- 09470 9 elected as Vice Chairman at the May 25 Annual Meeting, will serve as Chairman through May 31, 1995. The Nominating Committee proposed that Alan Bailey, elected as Treasurer of the Institute at the May 25, 1993 meeting be designated vice chairman. And, the Nominating Committee proposed that Mark Schneider of Vista Chemical Company be the new Treasurer and a member of the Execu tive Committee. The Secretary elected at the May 25, 1993 meeting, Erv Schroeder, will continue in that office. Hearing no objections to the report of the Nominating Committee, Mr. Bailey noted its acceptance. A round of applause for the new officers followed. MOTION: Mr. Schroeder moved that Mr. Schiffer be officially recognized for his contributions to the Institute during his long tenure on the Executive Board and active participation as an officer. The motion was seconded by Mr. Struber and unanimously approved. Mr. Bailey suggested that at the December Executive Board meeting scheduled to be held in Atlanta, that Mr. Schiffer be invited as a guest to the dinner. C. Membership Criteria Mr. Burnett reviewed the discussions that had occurred at the September 7 Executive Committee meeting regarding the expansion of criteria for Institute membership. He noted that he was asked to distribute the Responsible Care criteria for affiliated organizations and companies to Institute members for further review/discussion. D. Annual Meeting Sites Ms. Benkner reviewed briefly the material included under Tab N of the briefing book provided in accordance with discussions at the May 25, 1993 meeting regarding appropriate sites for the 1994 Annual meeting. Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that Ms. Benkner be directed to complete appropriate negotiations with the Dallas location cited. X.OLD BUSINESS A. California EIR Dr. Gottesman highlighted the material included under Tab M of the briefing book current through August 10, 1993. Dr. Gottesman further noted that during the previous week Mr. Freeman of SPI was notified that California Depart ment of Housing and Community Development officials are SPI- 09471 10 now not certain that they can issue a check to SRI without an official contract. Mr. Freeman indicated his intention to try to resolve this issue on an expedited basis. B. Other No other old business was brought before the Board. XI. NEW BPSINEB8 No items were discussed at this time. XII. NEXT MEETING/ADJOURNMENT Mr. Burnett noted that the next meeting of the Executive Board would be on December 8 in Atlanta, with dinner the evening of December 7. He noted that the following meeting is scheduled for March 15 in Cleveland, with Edward Howard & Co. offering to host the Board the evening before. MOTION: There being no other business, Mr. Russ moved that the meeting be adjourned at noon. The second to the motion was made by Mr. Schroeder and approved without objection. Respectfully submitted, Meredith N. Scheck Assistant Director September 23, 1993 SPI- 09472