Over the past decade, Intel has nearly doubled its revenues, added significant manufacturing capacity, introduced new complex technologies, and added many new employees in diverse geographies to support this growth. During this same time period, Intel's proactive programs to reduce EHS risks have paid off. For example, over the past ten years, employee injury rates were reduced by 75% to world-class levels. In the past five years alone, air emission rates and water usage rates have dropped 50% and 30%, respectively. Such results not only reduce the EHS risks of the company, but directly benefit our employees and the communities in which we operate. In addition, cost savings are achieved through fewer injuries, fewer waste treatment facilities, and fewer utility purchases.

These achievements have not gone unnoticed. In the past five years alone, Intel has received over 50 EHS awards around the globe for its programs and practices. In 2006, Intel was named the Technology Sector Leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the sixth year in a row.

Likewise, early engagement in public processes and regulatory initiatives has paid dividends. Intel was the first company to become part of the EPA Project XL program¹, a voluntary program for environmental improvement activities coupled with transparency to the community. The results have been remarkable: fewer emissions, less use of natural resources, more dialogue with the community, and flexible operations for Intel. Similarly, by working with other industry leaders within the semiconductor industry, Intel was instrumental in developing the first worldwide agreement to voluntarily reduce gas emissions.

Another measurement of success for Intel's EHS risk management program is the lack of EHS incidents associated with a new technology ramp. New technologies to support the march forward of Moore's Law is critical to the company's success. For the past four technology generations, Intel's teams have been successful in setting and achieving environmental goals to minimize the EHS impact of its factory operations. Techniques have included process modifications, alternative chemistry development, manufacturing process modifications, and abatement equipment development. Recent examples include reduced ammonia use, replacement of hazardous solvents, changes from PFC chemistries with high global warming potential to chemistries with much lower global warming potential, implementation of wastewater treatment systems to reclaim metals, and the removal of organic pollutants.

Intel's technology ramp has also demanded the construction of many multi-billion dollar semiconductor fabrication plants. Although construction schedules were compressed and fabs were built in record time, safety at the construction sites remained paramount. World-class injury rates were achieved. It was not uncommon for construction jobs to log millions of man hours without a single injury.

¹ Overview of Intel’s Project XL program at http://www.intel.com/intel/other/ehs/projectxl/