Three New York State-Owned Ski Areas Go Solar

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31 July 2015

Push to The Latest: No

SAM Magazine—New York, July 31, 2015—New York State and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) have entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with Borrego Solar, a San Diego-based firm that develops, finances, and implements solar energy projects, to supply power to state-owned Belleayre, Gore Mountain, and Whiteface ski areas.

N.Y. Gov. Cuomo said the new solar energy program will target lift and snowmaking operations at the resorts, which are jointly maintained by the state and the ORDA. The program is part of Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision's NY-Sun Initiative.

“By using renewable energy to power major operations at these world-class ski resorts, we are building upon this administration's commitment to expand this state's use of renewal energy, strengthen this important, job-creating economic sector, and reduce New York's carbon footprint,” said Cuomo.

Gore has the most skiable terrain and largest lift infrastructure in New York, and as such, it also has one of the largest utility bills. Gore's snowmaking system, lift operations, and other electrical equipment consume about 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity each season, at a cost of roughly $1 million annually.

Purchasing solar energy, which will be generated by a facility in Washington County, is expected to reduce the resort's bill by more than $213,000 during the first year. Officials at Borrego project that the three ski resorts could save as much $14 million over the 25-year period.

“With this initiative ORDA will substantially reduce its carbon footprint, essentially akin to removing over 46,000 cars from the road over the life of the agreement,” said Pat Barrett, ORDA chair. “We want to make sure that this wonderful recreational sport stays around for generations to come.”