Park City, UT – Powdr Corp. announced on Monday that the Park City-based ski resort operator has received a 2013 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier. Powdr is buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy.
“As one of the leading mountain resort owner and operators in North America, energy is a key resource in the operation of our business,” said Brent Giles, chief sustainability officer for Powdr. “The development and support of renewable energy is extremely important for us to preserve and enhance the mountain lifestyle for generations to come. We are honored to be recognized by the EPA for our efforts to offset 100 percent of our company-wide electricity use with the purchase of green power. Powdr is passionate about the mountains in which we live, work and play.”
Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact hydro. Using green power accelerates the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector.
“EPA is pleased to recognize Powdr with a Green Power Purchasing award for its exceptional commitment to buying green power and reducing carbon pollution associated with its electricity use,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “In doing so, Powdr has demonstrated leadership in innovation, sustainability, and taking action on climate change.”
According to the EPA, Powdr’s current green power purchase of 80 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 12,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly more than 8,000 average American homes annually.
Powdr currently owns and operates nine mountain resorts including: Park City Mountain Resort and Gorgoza Park in Park City, Utah; Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in Killington, Vt.; Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Ore.; Boreal Resort and Soda Springs Resort in Donner Summit, Calif.; Copper Mountain Resort in Summit County, Colo.; and Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort near Las Vegas, Nev.