 January 8, 2007 - As warm January weather reminds skiers that global climate change can impact their sport, at least one northern Michigan resort is fighting back. Concerned that pollution from coal-fired power plants contributes to global warming, Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is powering its high-speed chairlift, the Crystal Clipper, with wind energy this ski season.Crystal Mountain joins a national trend as it becomes the first resort in Michigan to obtain a portion of its power from renewable sources. From Maine's Sugarloaf to Colorado's Vail Mountain, more than 50 ski resorts nationwide are powering their slopes with renewable energy, such as wind and hydropower.
Resorts buying green power is important to proponents of renewable energy because it exposes snow-lovers to the products and potential dangers of fossil-fuel pollution. The purchases also add ski areas to a growing number of businesses using more Earth-friendly electricity.
"Global warming does affect our business," Crystal Mountain spokeswoman Joan O'Neill said. "We want to make sure we combat it as best we can and lead by example."
But don't expect to find a wind turbine atop the slopes. Crystal Mountain and other ski areas are not generating their own wind power, but rather buying it from a third party.
Crystal buys its electricity from Colorado-based Renewable Choice Energy.
The nature of the power grid doesn't allow wind power generated at farms in Minnesota, Kansas and elsewhere to be directed specifically to the resort. Rather the resort buys the amount of electricity needed to power its lift, about 125,000 kilowatts per year. Then Renewable Choice pushes that amount of power onto the grid, lessening the need for coal and other types of generation.
Crystal pays an undisclosed premium for the power, as wind energy is more expensive to produce than coal generation. A typical house, using 750 kilowatts per month, would pay $15 more each bill for wind power.
Ski resorts lead way
Renewable energy providers see ski resorts as fertile ground for their business.
"Crystal Mountain and the ski industry across the country have shown leadership in adapting renewable energy," said Kris Lotlikar, vice president of strategic planning for Renewable Choice. "And they share the benefits with their customers."
Lotlikar sees ski resorts as an ideal place to educate the public about renewable energy. As skiers look forward to cold and snowy winters, they may want to use earth friendly energy aimed at halting global warming.
As part of that education, Crystal is offering free or discounted lift tickets to those who sign up their homes for green energy.
That's not to say wind energy is the silver bullet for pollution problems. Wind energy is typically more expensive and some say turbines are an eyesore on par with cell phone towers.
Still wind power could be part of the solution to generating more electricity without burning more coal, said Bruce Dale, professor of chemical engineering at Michigan State University, who has researched alternative energy.
"Wind has the potential to put out a lot of energy," he said. "It makes a lot of sense in places like Michigan that have good wind resources but not a sunny, dry climate" needed for solar power.
Other businesses follow suit
Crystal is not the only entity jumping into renewable energy in the state. Consumers Energy's 1.8 million electric customers in Michigan can choose to pay a premium to buy renewable energy. Detroit Edison, Metro Detroit's primary power provider, is planning a similar program this year.
In addition, the state is home to wind turbines near Traverse City and Mackinaw City. The University of Michigan, Delphi Corp. and Whole Foods' local stores are among those who buy renewable energy credits in a similar manner to Crystal.
"The primary motivation for companies to buy renewable energy is to match the environmental values that they set," said Renewable Energy's Lotlikar. "It really resonates with companies such as Crystal Mountain and Whole Foods because purchasing credits also matches the values of their customers."
Adding it up
Crystal Mountain uses wind, rather than coal, to power its high-speed lift. Doing so avoids adding carbon-dioxide pollution equivalent to: 174,000 pounds or, 55 fewer commuters on the road per year or, 189,956 miles of driving a car, that's eight times around the world. 23 acres of trees would be needed to soak up that amount of pollution. Source: Crystal Mountain
You can reach Eric Morath at (313) 222-2504 or emorath@detnews.com
Eric Morath | The Detroit News |
