Denver DNC aiming to leave green legacy

The mission of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Aug. 25-28 here in Denver, is to produce the most environmentally sustainable political convention in modern American history. By the looks of things, Denver DNC planners are well on their way to reaching that lofty goal.
Leaving virtually no stone unturned in its green quest, officials initiated a comprehensive greening plan a full year before the convention, and are continuing to incorporate sustainability principles in all aspects of planning and restoration. Programs range from minimizing waste at resource recovery stations to measuring the convention’s carbon footprint.

The goal: to holistically design-in environmental sustainability measures in every possible way, take responsibility for the impact on the climate and create a lasting environmental legacy for the Democratic Party and the city of Denver.

CARBON

Planners are calculating the convention’s carbon footprint with help from Camco, the official carbon advisor. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible. Where emissions are unavoidable, verifiable carbon offset programs that benefit American renewable energy, and agricultural and landfill

DNC OFFICES

Greening starts at home, and the convention’s Denver offices are centrally located in an Energy Star building at the hub of the city’s mass transit lines, making it easy for employees to walk and bike to work. Inside, daylight is maximized and motion-sensor light switches and energy-efficient T8 fluorescent bulbs have been installed in every room.
The walls are painted with low-VOC paints, and workstations include repurposed and recycled materials. The offices are using energy-efficient computers and appliances, locally produced and compostable bioware, and non-toxic cleaners in the restrooms. In place is a successful building-wide, single-stream recycling program. Printing is done double-sided on 100 percent, post-consumer recycled paper, and all print cartridges are recycled.
methane-capture projects will be looked into.

ENERGY

Officials are also incorporating energy conservation measures into planning for other official convention venues. Pepsi Center media pavilions will use high-efficiency lighting systems and compact fluorescent, LED and solar-powered lighting wherever possible.
The Pepsi Center has also been working independently
to institute long-term sustainability measures on site. The Pepsi Center is installing a permanent solar array that will be operational before the convention.

WASTE DIVERSION

The goal for resource recovery systems at the Pepsi Center and the Colorado Convention Center is a minimum 85-percent diversion from landfill. This will be accomplished through a comprehensive recycling, composting and waste minimization program with the assistance of hundreds of DNCC Green Team volunteers. Organic materials collected will be composted and returned to the soil.

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION

Choosing sustainable materials is at the heart of the greening plan. All contractors and subcontractors are chosen in part because of their demonstrated
commitment to sustainable planning principles, and many have agreed to participate in a carbon tracking program. Sustainable wood products and rented or reused materials will be used everywhere possible. Materials used will be measured, tracked and wherever possible, reused or donated to community organizations and schools at the conclusion of the convention.

TRANSPORTATION

The Pepsi Center, convention center, DNC headquarters hotel and the DNC offices are all located within walking distance of either the RTD Light Rail or the 16th Street mall shuttle, which is run on hybrid buses. A majority of delegation hotels are also accessible from these public transportation systems.
The buses used to transport delegates and media from all the hotels to the Pepsi Center will be either hybrid, alternative fuel or run on biodiesel. Bus idling will be kept to a minimum to reduce air pollution.
The official vehicle provider, General Motors, is working with the DNC’s transportation team to offer hybrid, E-85 and high fuel efficiency vehicles to support fleet needs. Further, all vehicles and bus miles will also be tracked and included in carbon footprint calculations.
For more information on the DNC’s green initiatives, visit http://www.denverconvention2008.com.