Rocketdyne More Candid With Public

* Last month The Times ran a front-page story describing the boom in business at Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power in Canoga Park (“At Rocketdyne, Hiring Has Been Taking Off,” Nov. 9). In great detail, the story described how the company is confronting the difficulty of recruiting and hiring the most qualified engineers, technicians and machinists in order to meet the challenges of a rapidly expanding aerospace industry.

Because of the implications this news has for the local economy, the health of the aerospace industry and even the demand being placed on improving the quality of math, science and technical training in American schools, it was an important story. The lessons that the story presented go well beyond the dilemma at Rocketdyne and served to highlight the challenges that many Southern California companies face as they evolve during the current economic rebound.

We at Rocketdyne were pleased to assist The Times in the telling of this story. In addition to the key points that were presented, we hope that our openness and cooperation corrected a misconception that businesses like Rocketdyne operate in a closed environment that prevents honest and candid discussion of issues that are important to the community.

An earlier Times editorial implied that in the area of environmental concerns Rocketdyne was engaged in “secrecy and deceit” in the company’s relations with the public (“Field Lab Must Be Honest, Candid,” Oct. 26). It is unfortunate that the editorial failed to point out that during the previous week the company had conducted two community meetings to discuss the environmental, health and safety issues surrounding the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.

The Times is correct to point out that the practices that caused today’s concerns were used back during the 1950s, when the knowledge of the environmental effects of this type of work was much more limited. Over time, as scientific insight increased, Rocketdyne was quick to respond with appropriate safeguards. Rocketdyne has kept pace with evolving environmental technology and controls. In fact, by learning from the problems of the past the company now has a history of voluntary controls that exceed regulatory guidelines.

Similarly, the necessity and value of open communication and public disclosure have also become more vital. Decades ago, a Cold War climate required secrecy and security safeguards. But times change, and with the end of the Cold War came a refreshing commitment to communication, cooperation and candor.

This desire to communicate openly is not something new in Rocketdyne’s relationship with the community. For the past decade we have conducted numerous public meetings. We encourage local residents to come to Santa Susana to observe firsthand our environmental cleanup operations.

We do not keep secrets from the news media, the community or our employees. The fact is, in everything we do at Rocketdyne we are under the close scrutiny of numerous sets of eyes. We are accountable to multiple government regulatory agencies, our customers, our business partners and the public.

Most important, we have a commitment to our employees and the community. More than 2,000 Rocketdyne employees have chosen to raise their families within five miles of our Santa Susana facility. Rocketdyne and our employees have been members of the community for over 45 years.

It is in the best interest of us all to engage in clean, safe, healthy business practices. In the years ahead we will be putting some of the brightest young minds to work on our exciting array of programs. At the same time, we will live up to our commitment to the community: to promote safe, clean, responsible business practices in an environment of openness and honesty.

We want every member of our Rocketdyne team to be as proud to work for a responsible corporate citizen as they will be to keep the space shuttle flying, to develop the next generation of space propulsion and power, to provide the electrical lifeblood to the international space station, or to be on the cutting edge of laser and electro-optics technology.

JIM ALBAUGH

President,

Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power

Canoga Park