HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov.
Brian Schweitzer earned a coveted speaking role at the Democratic
national convention later this month in Denver, and said he will likely
use the platform to talk about energy issues.
Schweitzer,
scheduled to speak on the second day of the convention, was one of six
Democratic governors granted a role Wednesday at the party's big event.
Schweitzer
said he plans to focus on energy, an issue he often discusses and which
has brought him national attention, during the Aug. 26 speech.
"I
am probably going to talk about American energy, produced in America,
by American engineers," Schweitzer said. "And, probably, talk about
Montana's role in the middle of the most important energy corridor on
planet."
Schweitzer said he will talk about oil and gas
development in the region, wind power that can be turned to electricity
and shipped to other parts of the country, and coal.
The governor
has garnered national attention for his plans to push for the
development of plants that turn coal into fuel, often putting him at
odds with environmentalists that are a base for the Democratic Party.
Schweitzer has also advocated other alternative fuel sources.
National party conventions are famously scripted — and Schweitzer is famously unscripted.
The
governor does not even read from a prepared script when giving his
state of state speech. Schweitzer said he did not know how he would
handle that at the Denver convention.
"I've never used a TelePrompTer or used a written speech so I doubt I can change now," Schweitzer said.
Also
speaking on the second day are fellow governors Janet Napolitano of
Arizona, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Ted Strickland of Ohio, Ed
Rendell of Pennsylvania, and Deval Patrick of Massachusetts.