Vail ends three-year commitment to wind power -- instead will help fund Colorado State Hayman forest fire reforestation
October 13, 2009, 10:51 PM
By: Jesse Huffman
The Green Beta Team
Some resorts have started buying renewable energy credits as a means to power operations and offset their carbon footprint.
Where ski resorts get their electricity speaks a lot about their commitment to preserving the winter climates that keep them, and snowboarders, in business.
While some resorts have gone whole-hog with wind power, erecting turbines right on site, others like Vail have invested in wind energy offset credits.
Known as RECs, companies buy renewable energy credits as an accredited proof that one megawatt-hour of electricity was generated by a renewable energy source -- hydro, wind, solar, etc. -- somewhere. Critics have hacked at the process, saying the benefits of investing in the programs can be far off geographically, and that many companies claiming "100-percent wind powered" are actually just buying enough credits to offset their power needs, and running themselves on traditional sources like coal or gas. But without larger support for renewables, many say it's better to support renewable energy production, even if it is not being produced near you.
Home to a hotbed of snowboarding innovators like Ali Goulet, Steve Alters and J2 during the mid 90s, Vail has also become an industry leader in environmental practices and activities. So it was a surprise when the resort announced in late September that it would be discontinuing it's three-run of buying wind RECs , which reportedly offset approximately 211 million pounds of global warming-causing CO2 emissions annually.
Nasa
A shot from space of the Hayman forest fire, the largest ever in Colorado. Rather than purchase renewable energy credits, Vail is now using that money to aid in the restoration of the 137,000 acres of burnt land.
In place of the credits, the impact of which Vail admitted can be positive -- but also remote -- they plan on providing major funding for the restoration of 137,000 acres of Colorado land burned by the 2002 Hayman forest fire, the biggest in the state's history. By juicing the reforestation efforts, they are also helping a local ecosystem that is essential for protecting watershed health, scrubbing CO2 out of the air, and storing carbon.
Whether it is a sign of discontent with the REC system, or an economic move, is hard to say. Either way, Vail is still in the game with its environmental efforts, this time with results that are closer to home.
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Contributors
Tracy Anderson
Drinks coffee. Writes about snowboarding. Enjoys a strong snus. Appreciates a good back lip.
Mary Fenton
Would rather be riding pow, sucking at skateboarding or thinking up new names for her deaf dog and fake band.
Colin Whyte
Below the Fold. Beyond the Pale. Between the Lines. Beneath the Rose. He's a Secret Society of One.
Jesse Huffman
Loves a cold a.m. shred and late day skate. Thinks green is the new black, but should really be the new normal.
Brad Farmer
Grows seasonal crops. Where there's powder and shred news, a Farmer will follow.
Blair Habenicht
A Northwest-grown snow slider with a tendency to blow off any obligations if the snow is falling.
Nate Deschenes
Blessed with the attention span of a gnat. Prefers a #2 Ticonderoga and Trapper Keeper to a MacBook.
Tim Brodhagen
Tim Brodhagen shreds the ice coast on the reg, speaks Portuguese and almost never eats breakfast.
Melissa Larsen
Melissa Larsen likes slashing, sleeping, and talking smack. Not necessarily in that order.
