June 28, 2010

Mary Kate Campbell of DuPont spoke during the plenary session June 13 commemorating the ninth year of DuPont's Platinum Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP) partnership with The U.S. Conference of Mayors. She discussed new innovations being revealed by DuPont that will help make American cities safer, greener, and more energy efficient. Campbell also revealed the 2010 Lead'safe for Kids- Sake Grant winners.

Through the Lead Safe for Kids- Sake grant program, DuPont has given close to $5 million to cities to help reduce blood lead levels, a public health success story that continues to show tremendous progress in cities across the country. This year, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Syracuse (NY) Mayor Stephanie Miner of were each awarded $100,000 for their cities- proposals for lead safety programs. Buffalo (NY) Mayor Byron Brown was awarded $55,000 for his city's proposal.

DuPont works with students to bring science to life with every school visit they conduct of their Science in the School Day program. Through the program DuPont brings their brightest young engineers into the classroom to perform exciting experiments with students and their mayors. The popular program has been presented to over 30,000 students over eight years and helps students discover how science and engineering is applied outside the classroom.

Campbell revealed new technological developments produced by DuPont that will help make cities greener. At a time when many municipal governments are focused on finding sustainable and affordable solutions, DuPont is delivering on their reputation as an innovator. In particular, Campbell discussed the ReliatraN™ transformer – the first development in transformer technology in 100 years. Previously, cities had to use transformers that contained 30-50 gallons of mineral oil considered hazardous by the EPA, which had to be kept above ground. ReliatraN™ transformers, however, are built to be submerged underground, an amazing step forward for cities in coastal areas where flooding and power loss are constant issues.

DuPont has also partnered with the Conference of Mayors with the Mayor's Climate Change Center and works with mayors to have an open exchange of expertise, sharing DuPont's 20 years of research in sustainable solutions. Campbell highlighted DuPont's work in photovoltaic solar panel component, an industry DuPont has been in as a leading PV technology supplier for more than 25 years, helping to develop cheaper and more efficient solar panels.

Many mayors were excited to learn more about Campbell's announcement of a wear trial program for DuPont's Kevlar™ and Nomex™ On Demand safety resource technologies. This trial would be an opportunity for city safety enforcement departments to test (and keep) market-ready safety materials for comfort and wearability to help DuPont create the best products possibly.

Campbell concluded her speech looking forward to the next meeting when the DuPont-USCM CUSP partnership will celebrate ten years of improving cities and supporting mayors together.