April 07, 2008

Incentives Offered to Encourage Reduction of Delegate Carbon Footprints, Foster Friendly Competition Among State Delegations

DENVER - As part of an ongoing effort to make the 2008 Democratic National Convention the most environmentally-sustainable Democratic Convention in history, House Speaker and Permanent Convention Chair Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Convention organizers today announced the "Green Delegate Challenge," offering special rewards for the delegation or delegations that demonstrate the highest level of commitment to offsetting their carbon footprint from attending the Convention, to be held August 25-28, 2008. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) CEO Leah D. Daughtry joined Pelosi at the Pepsi Center in Denver to unveil the challenge and mark the first in a series of greening announcements the DNCC will make throughout April in recognition of Earth Day.

"The 2008 Democratic National Convention, like our great party, is about the future--the future of our country and the future of our planet," said Speaker Pelosi. "That is why we are ensuring that this Convention will be the greenest, most sustainable, most successful political Convention in history - and the Green Delegate Challenge is a critical part of that effort."

As part of the challenge, delegations with the highest percentage of members offsetting their carbon will be recognized in their seating section on the floor of the Pepsi Center during the Convention. Each delegate, alternate and super delegate from that state will also receive a limited edition "green" prize to be announced at a later date. Progress will be tracked on DemConvention.com, with the winning state or states recognized on the website in August. Any delegate who offsets their travel will receive a unique wearable "green item" for Convention week, available only to these delegates, and be recognized individually on DemConvention.com.

"Colorado is going green in ways both large and small, and I'm proud to be a part of the effort to provide Colorado citizens and Convention delegates alike the opportunity to offset our carbon footprint," said Governor Ritter. "Between the delegate challenge and its comprehensive greening initiatives, the Democratic National Convention can make an important contribution to our New Energy Economy."

"All of us involved in organizing the Convention have pledged to make it the greenest in history, and we are well on our way," said Mayor Hickenlooper. "The Green Delegate Challenge is a perfect tool to increase awareness of how carbon offsets can help us reduce our impact on the environment. In addition, this competition gives Convention delegates a fun way to lead by example."

"The 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver will be historic and will reflect the spirit of the Rocky Mountain West," said Rep. DeGette. "The 'greening' initiatives of the Convention are a trademark of the innovation and prosperity Democrats will offer America. While we will leave our mark on Denver in nominating the next President of the United States, we will do so by reducing our carbon footprint."

Added DNCC CEO Daughtry, "We are honored to have Speaker Pelosi here today identifying this Green Delegate Challenge as a priority for our delegations. I certainly hope her encouragement and endorsement will kick off a healthy competition among the states. The collective efforts of Convention organizers and delegates can demonstrate to the country how the choices we make can have a positive impact, both for large-scale events and in the everyday lives of individuals."

Through the DNCC's partnership with Native Energy, delegates may obtain their carbon offsets from a number of domestic community-based clean energy projects including the community-owned, utility-scale Wray School District Wind Turbine in Wray, Colo.; a Focus the Nation Wind Turbine on a family farm in Rosedell Township, Minn.; a fourth generation family dairy farm methane project in Rockwood, Pa.; and the Des Plaines, Ill., Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project. During the coming months, the DNCC will add more carbon offset projects to include additional providers supporting domestic offset projects.

To participate in the challenge and be identified as a "Green Delegate," delegates must obtain and present their offsets prior to August 1, 2008.

The Green Delegate Challenge is the latest in the series of steps the DNCC has taken to ensure the 2008 Democratic National Convention is the most environmentally-sustainable Democratic Convention in history. Since arriving in Denver, the DNCC chose an Energy Star office building for its headquarters located downtown at public transit hubs; put its entire housing selection process online, saving an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 sheets of paper; hired the first ever Director of Greening for a Democratic National Convention; required its Official Vehicle Provider to supply an entire fleet of fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles; selected a transportation consultant who committed to offsetting its carbon footprint; and hired a construction management firm that will use green building practices to prepare the Pepsi Center in Denver for the event.

Just last month, the DNCC announced it had selected an Official Carbon Advisor to help measure the Convention's carbon footprint and launched its "Green Pages" -- new website content that highlights the Convention's greening efforts and aims to educate the public on responsible individual life choices that can minimize human impact on the environment.

Click here to learn more about Carbon Offsets. 

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