The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
arrived in Denver last week and worked to increase their profile with Democrats,
renting out a historic downtown brewery.
The association was able to draw political heavyweights such as former
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) to its party. In contrast to the industry's minimal
presence at the 2004 convention, AWEA has supplanted the auto industry as a new
convention heavyweight, taking the opportunity to announce the opening of three
wind turbine manufacturing plants in Colorado. With much at stake in the continued debate
over energy and climate legislation, the wind and solar industries are hoping
the coming election, which favors Democrats, could finally result in a renewal
of the expiring renewable tax incentives.
Like the wind industry, clean coal had virtually
no presence in 2004. This election year,
the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity is spending $1.7 million on a
multi-pronged advertising campaign in Denver and
the Twin Cities, where the Republican convention is currently being held. That
campaign includes advertising in the airports and, putting "coal facts" in the
hands of fans in both Denver and Minneapolis-St Paul.
The solar industry has also radically increased
its coverage of the conventions. In
2004, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) sent two people to the
conventions and did not have a formal presence.
This year, in both Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul, the association is a high-level donor
while also hosting large parties.