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

"The 2008 Democratic National Convention, like our great party, is about the future--the futureof our country and the future of our planet," said Speaker Pelosi. "That is why we are ensuringthat this Convention will be the greenest, most sustainable, most successful political Conventionin 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 theircarbon will be recognized in their seating section on the floor of the Pepsi Center during theConvention. Each delegate, alternate and super delegate from that state will also receive a limitededition "green" prize to be announced at a later date. Progress will be tracked onDemConvention.com, with the winning state or states recognized on the website in August. Anydelegate who offsets their travel will receive a unique wearable "green item" for Conventionweek, 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 toprovide Colorado citizens and Convention delegates alike the opportunity to offset our carbonfootprint," said Governor Ritter. "Between the delegate challenge and its comprehensivegreening initiatives, the Democratic National Convention can make an important contribution toour 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 aperfect tool to increase awareness of how carbon offsets can help us reduce our impact on theenvironment. In addition, this competition gives Convention delegates a fun way to lead byexample."

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

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

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

To participate in the challenge and be identified as a "Green Delegate," delegates must obtainand 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 ensurethe 2008 Democratic National Convention is the most environmentally-sustainable DemocraticConvention in history. Since arriving in Denver, the DNCC chose an Energy Star office buildingfor its headquarters located downtown at public transit hubs; put its entire housing selectionprocess online, saving an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 sheets of paper; hired the first everDirector of Greening for a Democratic National Convention; required its Official VehicleProvider to supply an entire fleet of fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles; selected atransportation consultant who committed to offsetting its carbon footprint; and hired aconstruction management firm that will use green building practices to prepare the Pepsi Centerin Denver for the event.

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