I found this article on a Utah Business morning email; it identifies the source as “PR or News Wire,” so I presume it’s not copyrighted and can be shared. Further, I see no need to edit or rewrite it. It’s a pretty impressive list:
Park City, Utah, is a community whose economic success is dependent on the preservation of a clean environment. With three major ski resorts as the main economic driver, the community knows it must protect its resources, increase energy efficiency, and decrease its carbon footprint. Sustainable city government programs have helped Park City exceed state and national environmental requirements, and an increasing number of Park City businesses are making strides to maintain the community’s natural environment.
PARK CITY SKI RESORT INITIATIVES
Park City Mountain Resort
Park City Mountain Resort currently offsets 100% of its electricity through renewable energy credit purchases. In 2010, the resort received a “Green Business Award” from Utah Business Magazine. This award recognizes practices at the workplace that engage employees and clients to act green. PCMR is presently working on a refrigeration initiative, which will use the ambient temperature of the outside air to cool walk-in refrigeration systems when possible instead of using air compressors to cool them. PCMR also uses programmable timers/thermostats to reduce energy use, maintains its recycling initiative, uses 100% biofuel for ski run grooming operations, and practices energy-efficient snowmaking.
Deer Valley Resort
Recycling is Deer Valley’s most widespread green initiative. Glassware and china plates are used in the restaurants to reduce paper and Styrofoam use, as well as greener products that are water-based, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable. Essentially everything is recycled including old trail maps, fluorescent lighting, anti-freeze and oils when possible as well as all rubber products, from bull wheel liners to tires to snowcat track belting. Deer Valley uses lower-energy lighting, and puts heating and lighting systems on timers to save up to 9,600 kilowatt hours per year. The resort also participates in Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky Program and has had Rocky Mountain Power run a complete energy audit on all of its buildings.
Canyons Resort
Canyons Resort currently reduces approximately 20% of its waste through re-use and recycling programs, offsetting over 75 metric tons of carbon equivalents. The Resort also supports the development of clean energy resources in the U.S. by purchasing approximately 22% of its total energy as renewable wind power from Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky Program. Canyons Resort enforces NSAA’s No Idling Policy in regards to all company driven and employee vehicles. Canyons has formed a partnership with Recycle Utah, annually hosting the Free Haz Mat Collection Days, Alternative Energy Seminars, and the Green Building Seminars. The resort has also made a commitment to Recycle Utah Education and Outreach programs by donating funds to the programs.
OTHER BUSINESSES – A FEW HIGHLIGHTS
Treasure Mountain Inn (TMI) is the area’s only hospitality member of the Green Hotel Associate program and Utah’s first hotel to be 100% carbon neutral. Treasure Mountain Inn is a partner of the EPA Green Power Partnership and 1% for the Planet. TMI purchases about 30% of its energy as wind power and this commitment to renewable energy reduces its annual coal consumption by 96 tons and CO2 emissions by 190 tons. All paper products are made with recycled materials and paper consumption has been reduced by 50%. Water consumption has been reduced by installing water conserving shower heads in every unit. TMI has an extensive recycling program, with recycling centers in every room and in the hallways, and features recyclable, biodegradable toiletries in recycled packaging.
Newpark Town Center is Utah’s first and only LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) certified green land development. LEED-ND may be the most difficult LEED designation to achieve. As of September 25, 2009, there were only 39 LEED-ND certified land developments worldwide, only 23 of which have exceeded Newpark’s LEED-ND Silver certification. The certification measures the use of smart growth to evaluate where and how growth occurs to support and revitalize existing communities with the goal of preserving open space and natural resources. New urbanism efforts are enforced to focus on the design elements of a neighborhood that make it attractive, successful, and tightly-knit. Also, green buildings and infrastructure initiatives have the potential to reduce energy use, water use and storm water runoff, and produce other benefits, such as improving indoor air quality and supporting locally-sourced materials.
OTHER GREEN EFFORTS IN PARK CITY
· The Park City area is home to over 10 separate organizations which support and/or lead initiatives related to environmental sustainability in the region.
· Park City was one of two communities in the U.S. named a Green Power Community of the Year in 2010 by EPA. This award recognized communities committed to supporting environmental stewardship and renewable energy development.
· Park City was the first in Utah to complete a Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This 7-month long project included a 30-person Community Carbon Advisory Board and later resulted in the development of a Save Our Snow Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions. Park City was also chosen as one of 18 U.S. pilot cities to report its Greenhouse Gas Inventory and adaptation information for a partnership between The Carbon Disclosure Project & ICLEI.
· On a municipal level, Park City has invested extensively in energy and water-saving upgrades. In 2009, the City completed an audit and retrofit of municipal facilities that is expected to save over $100,000 and 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. Park City Municipal has committed to reducing its internal carbon footprint to 12% below the projected business-as-usual trajectory by 2012 and launched an internal revolving loan fund to support this initiative.
· Park City Municipal completed an affordable housing project in June 2010 that incorporated numerous green elements. The Snow Creek Cottages project included 13 affordable homes that were each equipped with solar PV panels, solar thermal water heating, and geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling. The project also incorporated recycled materials and ENERGY STAR appliances, in addition to being located near the City’s free bus transit system, to provide homeowners with the ultimate experience in sustainable living.
· Park City recently partnered with Utah State University and the Energy Dynamics Lab in Logan, UT to create a regional renewable energy feasibility study. This report, titled “Renewable Energy: A Path Forward for Park City”, was released in 2010 and complements a variety of renewable energy projects that have been already completed, including an 18 kW solar array on City Hall.
· Park City is #10 in the country in regards to the percentage of electricity purchased from Green Power Purchase programs. The City, along with Rocky Mountain Power, has set a goal to achieve a 15% participation rate in the Blue Sky renewable energy program by April 2011.
· The Park City/Summit County bus system is one of the few free transit systems in the U.S. The bus system, which is fueled by a bio-diesel blend, carries roughly 2 million passengers each year.
· The City Council in Park City adopted an anti-idling ordinance in December 2010. Park City is the first community in Utah to pass such an ordinance and joins a growing number of cities across the country which have taken this step to preserve air quality and protect public health.
· Residents approved a $15 million walkability bond in 2007 which is helping fund pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure in Park City.
· Over 7,000 acres of open space have been preserved through open space and conservation easement purchases as well as development agreements.
· The Chamber Bureau, local governments, and other partners launched a local food program in 2010 titled Summit County Beef which creates a market for grass-fed, locally-raised beef. More information is available at SummitCountyBeef.org.
· In partnership with The Park City Foundation and a grant from the Knight Foundation, ParkCityGreen.org was launched in September 2009. This website supports residents and businesses with calculating and reducing their carbon footprints and has received over 17,000 visits to date. The website also contains links to the community carbon footprint and other reports listed above.
· The “My Sustainable Year” challenge was launched in January 2010. This 52 week challenge encouraged residents to conserve energy and other natural resources while committing to lowering their overall environmental impact. Information on “My Sustainable Year”, including an archive of all 52 weekly challenges, is available on ParkCityGreen.org.
