ASPEN, Colo.—The Aspen Skiing Co., which prides itself on being a leader in the use of green energy sources, may install wind turbines on the top of the Cirque at Snowmass.
The company is working with the U.S. Forest Service, which owns the land, to see whether it is feasible and worth doing, the Aspen Times reported.
The use of green energy, most often in the form of buying energy credits, has become very popular in the ski industry because surveys have shown that skiers are strong supporters of using renewable energy.
Energy credits allow consumer to pay more for energy to support the use of wind farms and other clean energy sources elsewhere. The Aspen project would be different because the turbines would directly generate two-thirds of the resort’s energy.
“It’s the real deal. We’re always interested in what’s real instead of offsets and credits,” said Auden Schendler, executive director of sustainability for the company.
He said if it makes sense, three 1.7-megawatt turbines would be installed on the 12,500-foot high summit.
Jim Stark, winter sports coordinator for the White River National Forest, said that within a month a 33-foot tower with a propeller will be placed on the Cirque summit to test winds.
The Forest Service has a mandate to generate more renewable energy, and suggested the idea to Aspen.
“In a broad view you have to look at the energy supply. This represents a change in the government and how they are approaching it,” said Schendler.
“Everyone talks about doing something but nothing gets done and I think the Skico probably thought it is something the Forest Service wouldn’t ever do,” Stark said. The Forest Service made the pitch after a member of the National Renewable Energy Lab toured the Cirque area and told him that the site was perfect for high-powered wind turbines.
It is not expected to harm wildlife, although there will be some visual impact because the working towers would be 190-feet tall. “Are we willing to see these as beautiful? I am,” said Schendler.
The turbines would cost $26 million but the company would break even with energy savings within 20 years, said Stark.
Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts has already installed a turbine for both environmental and business reasons. At least 50 resorts, from coast to coast, are buying green energy and doing others to reduce the need and use for conventional energy.
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On the Net:
Aspen Skiing Co.
Jiminy Peak
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Information from: Aspen Times,
