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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
4.08.2008 - 10:10am ET
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CSR News from:
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Powdr Corp.
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Powdr Corp to Offset 100 Percent of Power from Renewable Energy Sources Beginning in June 2008
(CSRwire) PARK CITY, Utah, April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Powdr Corp today announced
that it will offset 100 percent of the grid supplied electricity consumed
at its seven ski and snowboard resorts and one tubing park through the
purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) beginning in June 2008. Powdr
Corp's purchase of nearly 50 million kWh of RECs is the second largest
among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) partners in the
travel and leisure category.
"We are passionate about the snowsports industry and the quality of
life it provides to our families, team members and guests," said Brent
Giles, director of environmental affairs for Powdr Corp. "Our commitment
to offset 100 percent of our resorts' power from renewable energy sources
is another step in the right direction to sustain our mountain lifestyle
for years to come."
Powdr Corp will work with Boulder, Colorado-based Renewable Choice
Energy as its renewable energy provider. Renewable Choice Energy is an
award-winning renewable energy and carbon offset provider of Green-e
certified sources such as wind, biomass and small hydro. The EPA estimates
that Powdr Corp's purchase of RECs will avoid over 85 million pounds of C02
emissions annually, which is equal to removing 8,539 passenger vehicles
from the road or powering 6,175 average American homes for a year.
"Powdr Corp's extraordinary commitment will inspire other resorts to
follow its lead," said Quayle Hodek, chief executive officer of Renewable
Choice Energy. "Supporting renewable energy is a powerful way to fight
climate change and make the air cleaner for everyone."
More than seventy percent of the United States' electricity comes from
fossil fuels like burning coal and gas. Burning fossil fuels to generate
electricity creates harmful greenhouse gasses that are emitted into the
atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Wind-power generated
electricity is renewable, sustainable, and does not produce environmental
pollution.
"EPA applauds our partners for protecting the environment by
purchasing green power," said Stephen L. Johnson, administrator for the
Environmental Protection Agency. "By voluntarily shifting to renewable
energy, Powdr Corporation is proving you don't need to wait for a signal
in order to go green."
The purchase of renewable energy credits helps to put more clean power
on line. Every renewable energy developer considers REC sales when deciding
whether or not to build new facilities. Most importantly, RECs allow the
government and consumers to place a positive value on renewable energy,
making its production more financially competitive with electricity
generated from fossil fuels. In turn, the purchase of RECs will make it
easier for small businesses and individuals to take part in renewable
energy for their own use.
Powdr Corp is committed to being an industry leader in environmental
stewardship. In addition to the purchase of 100 percent renewable energy,
Powdr Corp resorts are actively involved in environmental initiatives
including energy reduction, the use of alternative fuels and recycling.
These initiatives have offset Powdr Corp's carbon footprint by 92 percent.
About Powdr Corp
Powdr Corp is one of the leading mountain resort owners and operators
in the United States. Headquartered in Park City, Utah, Powdr Corp
currently owns and operates seven ski and snowboard resorts including Park
City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah, Killington Resort and Pico Resort
in Killington, Vermont, Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, Boreal Resort and
Soda Springs Resort, both in Donner Summit, California, and Las Vegas Ski
and Snowboard Resort outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Powdr Corp also
operates Gorgoza Park, a
lift-served tubing park, in Park City, Utah.
About Renewable Choice Energy
Boulder, Colorado-based Renewable Choice Energy (www.renewablechoice.com) is the
award-winning, full-service provider of renewable energy and carbon
offsets. Founded in 2001, Renewable Choice's clients include Whole Foods
Market, Vail Resorts, hundreds of businesses and organizations, and
thousands of individuals across the country. In 2006, Renewable Choice
shared the Beacon Prize with Whole Foods Market for its campaign to
educate customers about wind power. Renewable Choice is the leading
renewable energy supplier to green building projects nationwide.
About U.S. EPA's Green Power Partnership
EPA's Green Power Partnership works with more than 850 partner
organizations to buy green power voluntarily as a way to reduce the
environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use and to
support the development of new, renewable generated resources nationwide.
Overall, EPA Green Power Partners are buying more than 13 billion kWh of
green power annually. For more information visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.
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