Green Frontier Fest and New Energy Station

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

On August 24, the Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex will be transformed into Green Frontier Fest and New Energy Station, full of outdoor festivities. In addition to more than 100 green living exhibits, eco-carnival games and full-sized solar energy home, special guests will include Daryl Hannah, Governor Bill Ritter, Mayor John Hickenlooper and Van Jones. The special presentations, which will take place on a solar powered stage, are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. - cont'd

Read more...

Daryl Hannah, an environmentalist and actress who has appeared in more than 60 films and television series, has received several awards recognizing her contributions to protecting the environment, including an Artivist Award for Environmental Preservation, a Water Quality Award for Environmental Activism and the Environmental Media's Ongoing Commitment Award, among others. A part-time Telluride, CO resident, Hannah also has a sustainability blog (www.dhlovelife.com), drives a biodiesel car and owns a solar-powered home built from green materials.

Also on hand at the event will be Van Jones, the founder and president of Green For All, whose mission is to build an inclusive, green economy strong enough to lift millions of people out of poverty. Jones is an advocate for "green-collar jobs and opportunities" for disadvantaged people and is committed to the fight against climate change. In 2007, Van Jones worked successfully with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as several others, to pass the Green Jobs Act of 2007. This legislation authorized funding to train 35,000 people a year in "green-collar jobs."

"This is a great opportunity for Denver and Colorado to showcase our green accomplishments and innovations, and we are delighted to add such dynamic speakers to the Green Frontier Fest lineup," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. "An enduring legacy project for our community and visitors, this event will create public awareness that lasts well beyond the Convention week."

Booth spaces for exhibitors sold out in less than six weeks, reaffirming the excitement and spirit of moving towards a green and sustainable future. The fun, educational event will provide knowledge that will not only facilitate a cleaner environment, but also provide guests with tips to ultimately save money and resources. The full-sized solar energy home, which will be open for tours, will demonstrate how new energy-saving technology can be incorporated in everyday life.

The Green Frontier Fest, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free to the public, will also include a concert with U.S. Pipe and other live bands and musicians. Guests can also try delicious local and sustainable foods, wine and beer.

NEW ENERGY STATION
Taking place in tandem with the Green Frontier Fest on Sunday, then continuing throughout the Democratic National Convention, the New Energy Station will showcase Denver and Colorado's new energy innovations through a number of displays and applications in Sculpture Park that highlight environmentally-responsible energy technologies and practices. Also located at Sculpture Park with free admission, New Energy Station will be open to the public Aug. 24 - 28, 10a.m. to 6p.m. (Green Frontier Fest is a single day event on Aug. 24.)

Showcasing a wide array of clean energy solutions, the New Energy Station reaffirms Colorado's place as one of the leaders in the New Energy future for the nation and world.

"The New Energy Station and Green Frontier Fest are just two examples of our commitment to make this convention the greenest possible," Mayor Hickenlooper stated. "We're fortunate to have so many great new energy organizations willing to come together to enlighten the public about the technology, products, and services available for greener living. The technologies being displayed at New Energy Station are integral parts in the future economic development of Denver, Colorado and the nation."

Highlights of the New Energy Station include the Solar Decathlon House that demonstrates the latest in residential efficiency and solar technology, a 140-foot long wind turbine blade, a bike station that will be powered by a mobile solar unit and the new Xcel Smart Grid application display - an innovation found in Boulder, CO - the first city in the U.S. to deploy this Smart Grid system.

For more information, please visit www.greenfrontierfest.com or www.denverconvention2008.com.

Convention transportation map released

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Yesterday The Colorado Independent had a story about the Secret Service denying bikes from the Pepsi Center parking lot.

Repeatedly citing the Secret Service and the Denver Police Department as making all security-related mandates, including not allowing delegates, volunteers and gathered media to park a bike within the convention perimeter, organizers said not accommodating leg-powered transportation is the exception to the rule when talking about the true greenness of the event.

This was especially surprising to me considering the Freewheelin' press conference I attended back in May. I figured we'd be seeing bikes all over the city during convention week.

I was able to obtain a convention transportation map from the City of Denver and bikes are definitely in the plans for the week. While you may not be able to park your bike at the Pepsi Center there will be a bike station located just across the street.

As you can see from the map (Click here for a full view) there will be two bike stations near the Convention Center. The one called "Green Central Station" sits at the entrance to the Cherry Creek trail which takes you to the bike station near the Pepsi Center.

I think we'll see a bunch of bikes during the convention after all.

Nevada Delegates Get a Head Start on Green Delegate Challenge

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

It looks like the 43 delegates from Nevada will arrive at the convention ahead of most other delegations in the race to win the "unique wearable green item"

Nevada is the third state in the nation to pledge to send a “green” delegation to the national convention this August in Denver.

Elliott Small, a delegate to the national convention who owns Potential Difference, Inc. in Las Vegas, purchased carbon offsets for all 43 of the delegates, alternates, pages and standing committee members going to the national convention. Potential Difference, Inc. is an advanced electric car company whose prototype, based on a brand new Acura TL, is on display in the Seattle, WA area.

The Democratic National Committee has challenged each state’s delegation to purchase carbon offsets to help decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be put in our atmosphere from the travel it will take for delegates to get to Denver.

“As an owner of a company that promotes green energy, I am very proud that Nevada is the third state in the nation to pledge to send a green delegation to the Denver convention,” Small said. “We hope to recruit additional sponsors to ensure the trips to Denver made by our staff, volunteers and guests also will be carbon neutral.”

Potential Difference purchased the carbon offsets from Native Energy, which is working with the national Democratic convention on its Green Delegates Challenge [www.demconvention.com/green-delegates-challenge/]. While Nevada is the third state in the nation to purchase offsets for its delegates and alternates, the Democratic National Committee is challenging each state to purchase as many carbon offsets as possible.

Native Energy works with wind farms and methane projects around the country to invest in clean energy. - Nevada State Democratic Party

California and New Hampshire have also committed to fully participate in the Green Challenge.

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 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.

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. 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.

Delegates... leave your deep fryers at home

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

The South has been a huge political headache for the Democratic Party for the better part of the last half century. In the last 10 presidential elections, for example, the South was pretty solidly behind the Republican presidential nominee.

So, you would think the Democrats, with their 50-state strategy instituted by national chairman Howard Dean, would be a little more accommodating to the Southern delegates to the party’s presidential convention in Denver in August.

You would think. But you would be wrong, at least as far as food is concerned.

As part of the effort to make the 2008 national convention the greenest ever, the Democrats’ catering guidelines include one that strikes at the heart of Southern cuisine: no fried food.

No fried chicken. No fried catfish. No fried green tomatoes. No fried okra. No fried anything. - Austin Statesman

I love Mayor Hickenlooper but according to the article he's mandating that all foods should have at least 3 of the following colors: red, green, yellow, purple, blue and white. With this and his mandate that volunteer fanny packs have to be union-made in the USA and organic you have to wonder at what point he's taking the greening thing a little too far.

Freewheelin the Convention - 1000 Bikes For All To Use

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

The Host Committee along with Humana and Bikes Belong Coalition held a press conference at the Denver Convention Center yesterday afternoon. Host Committee President Eldra Wedgeworth, Mayor John Hickenlooper and Host Committee Director of Greening Parry Burnap were on hand for the event.

In order to reduce the environmental impact brought by the convention 1000 bikes will be dispersed throughout the city. The bikes will be available to not only convention goers but also visitors and residents of the city.

Bike stations are set up at various points around participating cities, universities or corporate campuses, with each station housing a collection of bikes which are equipped with an onboard CPU which will track and convert distance traveled, duration of the ride, calories burned and resulting carbon offset. Each station is accompanied by an unattended kiosk through which participants can “check in & out” a bike. Once the user is finished, they simply return the bike to any Freewheelin station in the program.

After the convention is over Humana will donate 70 of the bikes along with the checkout kiosks to the city of Denver. They are also working with the Twin Cities' wonderful Democratic mayors to do the same thing for the Republican National Convention.

Mayor Hickenlooper, Bikes Belong's Executive Director Tim Blumenthal
and Director of Greening Parry Burnap

After the press conference I spoke to Parry Burnap the Host Committee's Director of Greening. She explained to me the differences in focus between the Host Committee's Greening Team and the DNCC Greening Team. The DNC is in charge of greening at the Pepsi Center and transportation to and from Denver. The Host Committee is focusing on transportation to and from the hotels and events as well as overall greening efforts throughout the city.

Burnap said that shuttle buses will run back and forth between the various locations but that the delegates can get back and forth however they like. This includes bikes, light rail or any other form of transportation they can find.

Parry told me that she's familiar with DCW and had some nice words to say about the site.

Speaker Pelosi, DNCC Announce Green Delegate Challenge

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

The "Greenest" Delegation will get a "unique wearable green item" Maybe this will help the lack of interest people have in becoming a delegate this year ;)

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." - DNCC Press Release

Democratic National Convention Committee introduces its Greening Program

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

The DNCC has just rolled out it's Greening the Convention program

In another move toward solidifying the 2008 Democratic National Convention's place in history as the most environmentally-sustainable event of its kind to date, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today launched a series of "green" pages on its website at www.DemConvention.com. The new content highlights the DNCC's efforts to design waste out of the Convention by applying sustainable planning principles to every decision in the lead-up to the four-day event. Through these pages and other means, the DNCC also aims to harness national and international attention around the Convention to educate the public on responsible individual life choices to reduce human impact on the environment.

"The Democratic Party has been a leader in addressing climate change, environmental preservation and the promotion of renewable energy use, and the ways we build and execute our Convention in Denver will mirror those same commitments, " said Andrea Robinson, Director of Sustainability and Greening for the DNCC. "We aim to lead by example and identify opportunities, such as these web pages, to help educate the public as well as Convention attendees about making more sustainable choices in their own day-to-day activities."

DemConvention.com now features a carbon calculator to help Convention guests measure the carbon footprint generated by their individual trips to Denver. Additional components of the new green pages include an overview of the DNCC's sustainable goals and objectives, a weekly innovative and easy "greening" tip, behind-the-scenes "Green Screen" video of the DNCC's efforts to create a sustainable event and the latest news and information on the organization's commitment to leave Denver and the Democratic Party with a lasting environmental legacy. The site also provides further detail about how the DNCC is incorporating sustainable principles into planning related to Convention events scheduled for the Pepsi Center and the Colorado Convention Center.

In addition to providing an online resource and educational tool focused on sustainability, the DNCC is assembling a "Green Team" to help meet the organization's goal of a minimum 85 percent waste diversion rate at the Pepsi Center and the Colorado Convention Center. Robinson estimates needing the help of some 800 volunteers in various shifts to assist with greening assignments during Convention week. Some of the DNCC "Green Team" members are already working within the DNCC offices. The DNCC will continue to expand the team in the coming months by recruiting from local colleges, universities and the pool of volunteers who have already signed up with the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee. - DNCC Press Release

Here's the first "Green Screen" video

How Green Will The Convention Be?

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

I listened to a great interview yesterday on Colorado Public Radio about the unprecedented work being done to "green" the convention. Andrea Robinson, the Director of Greening for the DNCC and Parry Burnap, the Greening Coordinator for the Host Committee

Click here to listen

More information on greening can be found in this Denver Post Article

Come Aug. 25 (or sooner), some 35,000 Democrats and members of the news media will flood into Denver, where they will eat at local restaurants, explore the metro area's cultural establishments, and be entertained at more than 1,000 parties and events. But while they're adding an estimated $160 million to the area's coffers, will they also be adding to its traffic congestion, air pollution and carbon footprint?

The city of Denver and the Democratic National Committee hope not, so they have joined together as the DNC Host Committee to "green" the convention and create a permanent legacy of environmental improvements for the city.

The committee has established 10 task forces to ease the environmental impact of the convention. One group will focus on educating hotels, restaurants and event planners. Last week, workshops underwritten by the Environmental Protection Agency attracted 150 people from the Colorado Restaurant Association, where they learned how they can minimize water use, offset electricity use, and buy food grown locally to reduce energy used for transportation. Parry Burnap, greening director for the committee, says similar workshops are planned for the hotel industry. - Denver Post

Denver: We'll pay you to stay off the roads

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Lets get those bicycles working:

Those who work in downtown Denver could get money or perks for taking public transportation or riding bikes during the month of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, courtesy of federal taxpayers.

Gift cards for $100, free and unlimited transit passes for the month of August, and even free bike locks, helmets and secure parking all are under consideration.

The Downtown Denver Partnership, which advocates for the area, has won a $173,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that it plans to match with $43,000 to offer the program.

The goal is to "take advantage of the fear of extra traffic and added congestion" as well as the convention's "green" theme to spur the 110,000 downtown workers into alternative transportation, according to the partnership's project description.