SAM Magazine—Boyne Falls, Mich., Feb. 5, 2021—Boyne Resorts has made a renewable energy purchase commitment with CMS Enterprises, a CMS Energy subsidiary, that offsets electric energy consumption at its resorts and facilities throughout North America as of Jan. 1, 2021. 

The purchase is among numerous environmental initiatives and newly established goals that are part of the company’s evolving, long-term sustainability plan, dubbed ForeverProject. The plan’s marquee goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. Working with CMS Enterprises has accelerated the effort by offsetting approximately 70 percent of the company’s carbon footprint, the portion driven by its electrical usage.

CMS Enterprises develops, owns and operates utility-scale wind, solar and energy projects for large customers. CMS Enterprises will tap its in-house energy marketing group and U.S.-based clean energy portfolio to help Boyne Resorts capture renewable energy credits (RECs). The RECs will help Boyne substantiate renewable energy use claims and maximize value for its renewable energy investment.

In addition, a 1.7-megawatt solar array will be installed at Boyne Mountain Resort in collaboration with a separate CMS Energy subsidiary, alongtime energy provider to Boyne Resorts’ Michigan operations. The array will power the equivalence of the resort’s 300+ homes and condominiums, and is the first of its size for Boyne Resorts. The project will also serve as a pilot for potential installations at other Boyne locations.

 “Human driven climate change is an urgent issue for the world and most certainly for the snowsports industry,“ said Stephen Kircher, Boyne Resorts president and chief executive officer. "Though we have been a thoughtful steward of our resort properties over the last eight decades, it was clear to our team that we were not doing enough and fast enough if we are to truly help reverse the effects our carbon footprint has on the planet’s climate."

“CMS Enterprises is proud to help Boyne Resorts power its facilities in Michigan and throughout North America with renewable and clean energy,” said DV Rao, senior VP of strategy for CMS Energy. “Through implementation of energy efficiency programs, the electrification of Boyne’s vehicle fleet, on-site solar generation, and other advances on tap in Michigan, Boyne Resorts is poised to become an industry leader in clean and renewable energy and sustainability.”

The new level of urgency took root in October 2019, in part facilitated by Boyne Resorts’ sponsorship of and involvement in the Mountain Towns 2030 Net Zero Summit. Discussions with the ski industry’s largest players, who have shown leadership by aggressively embracing sustainability efforts also played a role, along with the NSAA Sustainable Slopes program.