January 31, 2011

DuPont Governmental Affairs Regional Manager Rick Deadwyler updated the mayors on the Platinum Partnership between DuPont and the Conference of Mayors during The U.S. Conference of Mayors 79th Winter Meeting in Washington (DC). Cities United for Science Progress partnership (CUSP) celebrates its ten-year anniversary in 2011. The partnership has provided a decade of benefit to cities by matching DuPont's expertise in sustainable and innovative technology with the needs of our cities' mayors.

Deadwyler used the opportunity of the anniversary to discuss the programs and initiatives that have grown from the CUSP partnership. DuPont has worked to drive student interest in engineering through the Science in the School Day Program, reaching over 30,000 students in 400 schools in over 150 cities around the country. The program brings young and talented engineers from DuPont into elementary school classrooms across the country with mayors to conduct fun, kid-friendly experiments. Requests continue to grow to bring the Science in the School Day program to new cities that are interested in exploring the wonders of engineering with their mayor and DuPont.

Everyday, DuPont works to bring innovation to new technologies. Deadwyler stated that DuPont continues to bring advanced research to first responder technology improvements, so they can help those who protect those in the fields of law enforcement, fire fighting, and first responding. Deadwyler outlined two exciting new products: Kevlar® XP™ and Nomex® On Demand™. These are just two examples of DuPont's work in the protective technologies arena. Kevlar® XP™ is a patented, bullet resistant material with a structure that provides superior bullet stopping power while reducing the trauma from bullet impact. This technology is perfect for providing a lighter weight alternative for police protection gear. The other is Nomex® On Demand™ made of a smart fiber that reacts to thermal linear temperatures of 250 degrees Fahrenheit and expands to provide 20 percent more thermal protection on contact. Nomex® On Demand™ can be implemented in fire protection turnout gear as a comfortable alternative for firefighters.

Nomex® On Demand™ can be implemented in fire protection turnout gear as a comfortable alternative for firefighters.

To celebrate the decade of partnership between DuPont and the Conference of Mayors, Deadwyler announced that DuPont will award grants of over $100,000 to bring these new first responder technologies into cities through the new DuPont Protection Technologies Grant Program. DuPont partnered with Conference of Mayors Business Council member LION®, a leading manufacturer of first responder personal protection products, to make the first awards. Deadwyler announced the winners of this year's inaugural DuPont Protection Technologies Grants were Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. Each city will receive 18 new sets of innovative fire protection turnout gear, valued at close to $50,000. DuPont will work with their product manufacturers to provide body armor or turnout gear grants using these latest technologies throughout 2011.

Deadwyler discussed DuPont's innovations in sustainable technologies and highlighted the ReliatraN™ SIDT or solid insulation distribution transformer. This transformer is the first of its kind in that it is fully submergible — making it significantly safer than the big green box transformers in most neighborhoods today. This new technology is safer for the environment compared to the old transformer technology, which contains 30-50 gallons of flammable mineral oil. The submergible transformers have an added benefit for city planners- since they are built to function underground they do not disrupt the aesthetic of a neighborhood and are not as susceptible to storms and severe weather that create serious reliability issues.

Deadwyler closed his speech with the announcement of the opening of the application period for the $375,000 Conference of Mayors-DuPont Lead Safe for Kids' Sake grant program. Well known to mayors, this program awards grants to cities that propose new and innovative ideas on how to create lead safe cities and communities. The reduction of elevated blood lead levels across the country is one of the greatest public health successes of the past 50 years. The Conference of Mayors-DuPont grant program has played an important role in reducing elevated blood lead levels in America. Grant applications are due May 13 and will consist of $375,000 in grants. Awards will be made during the June 2011 Annual Meeting in Baltimore.

Mayors are encouraged to contact Alexander Cochran at alexander@bgrdc.com if they are interested in participating in any of the DuPont programs or initiatives.