Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming announced it is taking another step toward operating its ski lifts on renewable energy.
The resort said in a press release it will start purchasing its power through a local energy company’s "Green Power" program. The utility, Lower Valley Energy, sources most of its Green Power from a wind farm south of Idaho Falls that has 32 turbines.
Other ski resorts in the West like Vail Resorts and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows have recently made commitments to powering operations on renewables.
Jackson Hole said in the press release it is now running on 100% Green Power. But Brian Tanabe, the communications director for Lower Valley Energy, wrote in an email that participants in the Green Power program do not necessarily receive all green power.
Instead, he said, when program members like Jackson Hole pay the premium, it allows the utility to make continued investments in wind power.
The city of Jackson also receives electricity from renewable sources through Lower Valley Energy.
Find reporter Rachel Cohen on Twitter @racheld_cohen
Copyright 2019 Boise State Public Radio
