ASPEN — —Aspen Skiing Co. has taken the big step it needs to offset the power it consumes and gain greater credibility in the battle against climate change.
Skico is investing nearly $5.4 million to pay 90 percent of the construction cost of a plant that will capture methane vented from a coal mine at Somerset, about 10 miles northeast of Paonia, and convert it into electricity.
“It’s a phenomenal project,” said Skico President and CEO Mike Kaplan while announcing the deal Monday at the Forests at Risk conference in Aspen.
Skico has worked on an agreement with two partners for about one year and finally got a contract signed last week. Skico formed a joint venture with Gunnison Energy, a sister company to the one that owns the Elk Creek Mine, and with Vessels Coal Gas Inc., which put together the plan. Gunnison Energy is owned by William Koch.
The methane must be vented from the coal mine for worker safety. It’s currently released into the atmosphere. Now it will be put to good use.
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