SAM Magazine- Alta, Utah, October 25, 2006 - Alta ski resort has committed to purchasing 900,000 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of renewable energy over the next 12-month period. The purchase will offset more than 23 percent of the ski resort's annual energy usage.

The move marks the latest effort by the Utah resort to limit the environmental impacts of its operation. Alta is the only ski resort to become a member of Salt Lake City's environmental e2 program that recognizes businesses for their efforts to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In 2005 Alta completed an energy audit with Rocky Mountain Power and implemented changes, including switching to fluorescent light bulbs and using radiant heat and timers on lift terminals, in an effort to reduce energy consumption. The summer 2005 construction of the resort's new Watson Shelter mid-mountain restaurant was planned with data gleaned from that energy audit, resulting in an efficient, sustainable, high-performance building.

The environmental impact of Alta's purchase is the equivalent of avoiding 900 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. "It is the right thing to do," remarks Alta's President and General Manager, Onno Wieringa. "We appreciate the opportunity to work with this program to take our commitment to the next level."

In addition, Alta is working with Clif Bar and the SkiGreen program from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to offset the energy used to run the ski area's Sugarloaf lift, translating to another 11 percent of Alta's energy consumption covered by renewable energy. This brings Alta's commitment to clean power to 34 percent of its annual consumption. Alta skiers will also have the opportunity to support renewable energy by purchasing a $2.00 SkiGreen Tag at specified Alta locations. These dollars purchase clean wind energy on the guest's behalf.

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