• Obama reportedly favors air chief McCarthy to lead EPA
  The next head of the Environmental Protection Agency may be Gina McCarthy, who leads EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, according to reports. No announcement of a nominee by President Barack Obama has been scheduled. Reuters (2/1), InsideEPA.com (free content) (2/2)     

• LyondellBasell scraps plans to expand Texas propylene production
  LyondellBasell will not expand its Texas metathesis facility, citing a rush of proposed propylene plants in North America. "Given the announcements of these PDH units that multiple companies are suggesting, we don't think that makes sense," CEO Jim Gallogly said. "Our money is better spent on debottlenecking at these ethylene units," he added. ICIS News (U.K.) (2/1), Platts (2/1)     

• Sen. Murkowski introduces broad U.S. energy policy plan
  Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has introduced an energy policy plan that includes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and opening the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia to leasing. The lawmaker's "Energy 20/20" blueprint also seeks to reverse the Department of the Interior's proposal to ban drilling on about 50% of the National Petroleum-Reserve Alaska. Anchorage Daily News (Alaska) (free registration) (2/2)     

• Official: EIA needs more time to learn true potential of shale plays
  The U.S. will need a few more years to determine the true potential of the country's shale oil and natural gas formations, an Energy Information Administration official said. "The key component here is the uncertainty with regards to productivity of these tight oil wells," said A. Michael Schaal, the agency's director for petroleum, natural gas and biofuels analysis. SNL Financial (free content) (2/1)     

• Lawmakers to seek stronger cyberattack countermeasures
  A series of Chinese cyberattacks on U.S. media outlets is sparking legislative discussion of stronger cybersecurity protections. "Attacks like this ... are further evidence that we must harden our networks against espionage by enacting comprehensive cybersecurity legislation to bolster our defenses against enemies who seek to steal our intelligence, intellectual property and dismantle our critical infrastructure," said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (2/2)     

• Eastman considers building Texas derivatives unit
  Eastman Chemical may build a derivatives facility in Longview, Texas, said CEO Jim Rogers. A decision is expected in the first half of this year. ICIS News (U.K.)/(subscription required) (2/1)     

• Other News

• Clariant's divestment of leather-chemicals unit may spark more deals, analysts say
  Bloomberg (2/4)     

• Nanoparticle product cleanses pollutants from stormwater runoff
  A nanoparticle sponge developed by an ABSMaterials chemist soaks up 90% to 100% of the pollutants in stormwater runoff, then releases them slowly enough into the soil that plants and microbes can biodegrade the chemicals safely. "We can't build a pipe to every parking lot and agricultural field, but if we can take a small amount of space and turn it into green infrastructure, we can treat the water on site and percolate it into groundwater cleanly," said Paul Edmiston, the sponge's developer. PopularMechanics.com (1/24)     

• How smart constraints can help you get creative
  Creative types often don't like to be told what they can and can't do, but sometimes it takes properly expressed limits to inspire innovators, writes Matthew E. May. "An intelligent constraint informs creative action by outlining the 'sandbox' within which people can play," May writes. Harvard Business Review online/HBR Blog Network (1/30)     

• Leadership tips from the African savanna
  Seeing a lioness caring for her cubs showcased some skills that every business leader needs, Beth Armknecht Miller writes. A lioness models good hunting techniques for her cubs, watches them carefully while allowing them space to fail and rewards their successes, she writes. "One of the primary roles a leader has is to develop her team to their full potential. And on the plains of the Serengeti, eating and being aware of your surroundings are critical to survival," Miller writes. Great Leadership (1/31)     

• How to tap your workers' hidden talents
  More than six out of 10 American workers surveyed say they feel underutilized in their jobs, but how can bosses uncover their teams' hidden talents and put them to better use? Laura Vanderkam advises spending time getting to know your workers, being more open to the initiatives they suggest and pushing people to take more responsibility for their projects. CBS MoneyWatch (1/31)     

• ACC Weekly Economic Report
  The economic reports this week were mixed; enough so that pessimists and optimists alike can plead their case. The employment report showed tepid gains for jobs, something we've gotten used to since the end of the recession. The GDP report was negative but the weakness was centered in defense spending, inventories, and trade. Private sector gains were actually quite good and although some of these negative factors may persist in the 1st quarter, the consensus seems to be that the U.S. economy continues on a 2% growth track. Stay informed. Subscribe to ACC's Weekly Economic Report     

• Monthly resin market data for 2013 now available from ACC
  ACC's resin reports are recognized as a leading data source on the plastics resins industry. Based on detailed surveys of major North American producers, ACC publishes authoritative industry reports on production and end use sales for major plastic resins. Get complete details including sample reports, 2013 subscription pricing and how to order.     

Top five news stories selected by ACC SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Lautenberg reintroduces chemical-security legislation (Global Security Newswire)

• Dow Chemical praises "constructive dialogue" with ACC (ICIS News (U.K.))

• Shell plant a priority for Pa., governor says (American City Business Journals)

• Dow Chemical expects ethylene "double peak" (ICIS News (U.K.))

• Plastics M&A trends to continue in '13, experts say (PlasticsNews.com)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day." --Laozi, Chinese philosopher