The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) today announced a power purchase agreement with the City of Midland (The City) and Consumers Energy where natural gas created by the city's landfill will be used to generate electricity to power Dow facilities in its hometown.

Recapturing the landfill gas, which would ordinarily escape into the atmosphere, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 12,000 tons annually, which is the equivalent to the output of more than 20,000 passenger cars. The Gas to Energy project will initially provide approximately 25 percent of Dow's energy needs for its Corporate Center. Dow expects to source around 50 percent of its needs following the start-up of a second Gas-to-Energy facility by the City of Midland in late 2011.

According to George Biltz, Dow vice president, Energy & Climate Change, "The agreement with the City of Midland and Consumers Energy is a significant milestone in Dow's drive to implement economically-viable, clean energy technologies in our operations and to advance our leadership in energy efficiency and carbon management," said Biltz. "We appreciate the opportunity to work closely with the City of Midland and Consumers Energy to harness local sources of clean energy to fuel our energy needs at our Corporate headquarters."

Midland Mayor Maureen Donker emphasized the importance of the agreement for the City of Midland and Dow. "We are pleased to provide Dow with renewable energy from our City's landfill gas-to-energy system," said Mayor Donker. "We are proud to continue increasing the number of renewable and clean energy projects in our city, and look forward to having more opportunities to do so."

"We commend Dow for demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability and applaud the leadership taken by the City of Midland on its renewable energy efforts," said Daniel J. Malone, senior vice president of distribution and customer operations for Consumers Energy.

The City of Midland is recognized as one of the top ten cities in the U.S. for alternative energy and renewable technologies. The City of Midland launched its gas-to-energy project earlier this year, which currently powers the city's water treatment and wastewater treatment plants.

About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy is Michigan's leading supplier of renewable energy. In 2010, about 5 percent of the electricity supplied to its 1.8 million electric customers came from renewable resources.

About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.