An important part of being responsible is being a good neighbor. As such, the Houston Plant is involved in numerous community activities.

We are proud partners with Almeda Elementary School and its 700 pre-K through fifth grade students. Plant personnel have cleaned up the school grounds and planted new landscaping; given the students fire prevention training; donated supplies and clothing.

Additionally, the plant employees have demonstrated their commitment to the community with blood drives and very successful annual food drives. This year over 3,700 pounds of food were donated. We also support the local community clinic and numerous youth sports organizations. New this year is the establishment of scholarships at local area high schools.

The Houston Plant has jointly formed a Citizen's Advisory Panel (CAP) along with one of our neighbors, Champion Technologies. The CAP is a diverse organization of community members and neighboring chemical plant representatives who come together regularly to have open and honest conversations about common issues. These panels are created to establish an ongoing forum that will allow for education and two-way communication on issues concerning health, safety, the environment and economic impacts.

Panel members are dedicated to developing relationships by promoting dialogue, ensuring understanding and building trust, and to improving the community through education and awareness of these issues.

The inaugural meeting of the Citizen's Advisory Panel was held in April 2004. The group meets monthly and the panel members have selected for discussion topics such as emergency response, air quality, fence-line issues, water quality and chemicals handled by our site.