Based on a national average utility emissions rate, fulfilling the two resorts' electricity needs with zero-emission, non fossil fuel sources will keep more than 41 million pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The amount is equivalent to avoiding the C02 emissions produced by 3,600 passenger cars each year and is the same amount of electricity needed to power more than 2,500 average American homes annually.
The move to wind power is the latest environmental program taken on by the resorts within their comprehensive environmental initiatives. Both resorts support the National Ski Areas Association Sustainable Slopes program and the Keep Winter Cool Campaign. Sugarloaf and Sunday River have invested in new snowmaking technology in the form of low energy snowguns, which use 40 percent less energy to make snow.
In addition, used vegetable oil from community and on-mountain restaurants at Sugarloaf is being recycled into biodiesel fuel for use in the resort's busses and grooming equipment.
In addition to on-mountain bio-diesel use, the resort is also in discussions with the Town of Carrabassett Valley to develop an environmentally friendly transportation system. Recycling programs have been in place at both resorts, and programs addressing wastewater, carpooling, and expanding the use of bio-diesel continue to grow. \
