Jackson Hole Now Powered By Wind – Moves to 100% Renewable Energy

September 27th, 2019

 

Jackson Hole’s iconic red tram is now powered by wind. Photo: Tony Harrington

 

In a press release last week, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort announced a move to 100% renewable energy. Released in the lead up to this week’s UN Climate Summit in New York, the statement said the resorts facilities will be run by wind-powered energy “effective immediately.”  

 

Mountainwatch | Press Release

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Sept 18:  In an important operational measure, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) proudly announces a full transition to Green Power for its electricity needs. Effective immediately, all year-round resort operations will now be powered by Lower Valley Energy’s (LVE) 100% Green Power program. This includes all JHMR on- mountain lifts, facilities, and base area operations. The program’s product directly sources wind power from Horse Butte Wind Farm in neighboring Idaho; the closest wind energy source directly tied to Lower Valley’s grid.

 As a recognised ski industry leader, Jackson Hole’s unique position as a sought-after, global, big mountain resort destination, coupled with immediate proximity to North America’s most celebrated National Parks, makes JHMR a fitting candidate for incorporating Green Power. “It’s exciting to partner with Lower Valley Energy in a shared effort to power our entire operation with renewable electricity,” states JHMR’s President Mary Kate Buckley. “We are constantly seeking ways to reduce our impact on the environment and making the transition to running Jackson Hole’s full mountain operations on wind powered energy is a big step that aligns with JHMR’s core values,” offers Tyler LaMotte, JHMR’s Chief Brand Officer.

 

Jackson Hole, one of the world’s leading resorts, leading the way on sustainability. Photo: Tony Harrington

Lower Valley Energy is the area’s electric utility and offers a locally sourced Green Power option for its members. They work in concert with additional area stakeholders, including Energy Conservation Works, The Town of Jackson, and Teton County, to reduce environmental impact by harnessing Green Energy and increasing energy efficiency for community benefit.

“We have been working on this green power partnership for some time and are very excited this came to fruition with such a great local industry leader,” states Lower Valley Energy President and CEO Jim Webb.

Energy Conservation Works partnered with Lower Valley Energy in September of 2017, launching an effort to increase participation in the Green Power program. Since that time hundreds of Teton County residents and business owners have chosen to switch their power to Green sources. In this time, JHMR becomes the largest member committing to operating on 100% Green Power. Lower Valley Energy emphasizes that any LVE member can choose to commit to Green Power. According to Drawdown.orgwind power is ranked as the second-best collective action communities can take to reduce their environmental impact.

Energy Conservation Works’ Executive Director, Phil Cameron notes, “I applaud JHMR on their commitment to sustainability and their transition to 100% Green Power.” He adds, “Their choice has a huge positive impact on our community’s total Green Power use. As an icon and industry leader, this transition is a catalyst to inspire JHMR’s peers, community and guests to take action as well.”

About Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) located in Teton Village, Wyoming, is a values-led, family owned, iconic mountain destination with a purpose of enriching the lives of its guests, employees, and community through premium, authentic, and memorable big mountain experiences only found in the Tetons. Jackson Hole famously delivers the finest powder snow with 4,139 of continuous vertical feet of legendary terrain and 2,500 acres of the best beginner, intermediate and expert terrain. Neighboring celebrated Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, and operating in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, makes Jackson Hole an exceptional and unique global destination. With an enduring commitment to the surrounding landscape, wildlife and authentic community character, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort strives to live by its values by reducing environmental impact and in doing so runs 100% of its operations on Green Power.