New York-Owned Ski Resorts Going All In on Renewables
The I AM PRO SNOW 100% Committed program helps meet the governor's Reforming the Energy Vision's strategic plan for building a cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable energy system across the state.
The three New York-owned ski resorts, Belleayre Ski Resort, Gore Mountain, and Whiteface Mountain, have pledged to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy by 2030, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced March 3, and they are joining The Climate Reality Project I AM PRO SNOW 100% Committed campaign. Cuomo's Clean Energy Standard requires that half of all electricity used in New York come from renewable sources by 2030.
"Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface are key drivers of their local tourism economies, and with this commitment they are joining New York's nation-leading efforts to fight climate change, reduce our carbon footprint, and foster the development of renewable resources," the governor said. "This commitment to New York's future, along with landmark new state investments in these facilities, will help ensure these resorts' continued vitality for generations to come."
His FY2018 executive budget includes a proposed $20 million to upgrade the facilities at Whiteface and Gore Mountains to bolster the region's tourism industry, and he has announced an additional $8 million for upgrades at Belleayre Ski Center this year.
The I AM PRO SNOW 100% Committed program helps meet the governor's Reforming the Energy Vision's strategic plan for building a cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable energy system across the state. The initiative encourages ski resorts, towns, businesses, and other mountain communities around the world to commit to being powered by 100-percent renewable energy by 2030.
"The Climate Reality Project's I AM PRO SNOW program and 100% Committed is proud to partner with the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority's managed ski areas: Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface," said Ken Berlin, CEO of The Climate Reality Project. "Recognizing the devastating impact the climate crisis will have on snow, the turn these ski areas are making towards solutions brings us all hope. Our community of renewable partners grows each day, and we can't wait to see who joins us next."
Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said, "Ulster County is the only net carbon neutral county in the State of New York and 100 percent of our Government’s electricity comes from renewal resources, so we are thrilled with Governor Cuomo's announcement that all New York State owned ski centers, including Belleayre, are to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy by 2030."