Keep Utah Cool

The Salt Lake City Department of Airports has integrated environmental policies and practices, business operations and asset management functions to ensure that sustainability is managed holistically. The program is continually evolving and innovations are rapidly developing. Some of the current best practice highlights include:

Recycling

- Over 5000 pounds of paper, aluminum and other recyclables are collected monthly from offices and recycled.

- Last year, over 60 tons of newspaper and plastic were recycled from airport terminals.

- In 2007, the airport recycled approximately 264 tons of cardboard.

- Aircraft deicing fluid is collected, processed and resold. Last year, the airport sold over 55,000 gallons of glycol.

- Demolished asphalt and concrete are salvaged and stockpiled for re-use as road base or stabilization material in construction projects.

- In 2007, the airport reused or recycled approximately 84,000 cubic yards of construction debris.

- Vegetation disrupted by construction is converted to mulch and reused.

- Metal from demolition is sent to scrap metal facilities for recycling.

-  Used oil from the vehicle fleet and general aviation is recycled.

- Used tires and batteries are returned to suppliers for recycling.

Water conservation

- Since 2001, the airport has planted water conserving landscape that features plants that thrive in Utah’s high desert environment.

- A drip irrigation watering system has been installed for more efficient water use.

- Restrooms are now equipped with water conserving plumbing fixtures which reduces water consumption by half.

Alternative Fuels

- The airport’s shuttle buses run on clean burning natural gas.

- Light and medium duty vehicles have also been converted to natural gas.

- Electric vehicles and hybrids have been incorporated into the airport fleet.

- Tenants are offered incentives to use alternative fuel and there is a natural gas fueling station on the airport.

Use of Technology

- A Building Automation System (BAS) calculates the most efficient use of boilers, chillers, cooling towers and distribution loops. This conserves energy and reduces operating costs.

- The BAS also controls most of the lighting throughout the airport. Lighting is maximized through the use of daylight ambient sensors and time of day use.

-  BAS controls outside radiant heaters saving electricity.

Management Practices

- Water based paint is now required replacing high emission producing oil based paints.

- The airport encourages tenant compliance with recycling programs. Delta Air Lines recycles in-flight waste.

- Maintains 450 acres of wetlands west of the airport.

- Currently, thousands of light fixtures are being replaced with more energy efficient, long lasting fixtures.

National Awards Honor Leading Green Power Purchasers

Park City, Utah (October 28, 2008) – Powdr Corp announced today that it has received a 2008 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country’s leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to advancing the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. EPA presented Powdr Corp with the award at an event held in conjunction with the 2008 National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference in Denver, Colorado.

Powdr Corp was one of only nine organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award in the Green Power Purchasing category. This award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy credit (REC) supplier. Powdr Corp currently purchases nearly 50 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization’s purchased electricity. Powdr Corp buys renewable energy credits (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy, located in Boulder, Colo.

“We are proud to receive this prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said Brent Giles, director of environmental affairs for Powdr Corp. “Purchasing green power helps our organization become more sustainable, while also sending a message to other companies and individuals across the U.S. that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk.”

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

“Our nation is shifting to a ‘green culture,’ with more and more Americans understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “EPA commends Powdr Corp for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power.”

According to the U.S. EPA, Powdr Corp’s current green power purchase of nearly 50 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of nearly 7,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power just about 5,000 average American homes annually.

Powdr Corp is committed to being an industry leader in environmental stewardship. In addition to the purchase of 100 percent renewable energy, Powdr Corp resorts are actively involved in environmental initiatives including energy reduction, the use of alternative fuels and recycling. These initiatives have offset Powdr Corp’s carbon footprint by 92 percent.

About Powdr Corp
Powdr Corp is one of the leading mountain resort owners and operators in the United States. Headquartered in Park City, Utah, Powdr Corp currently owns and operates seven ski and snowboard resorts including Park City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah, Killington Resort and Pico Resort in Killington, Vermont, Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, Boreal Resort and Soda Springs Resort, both in Donner Summit, California, and Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Powdr Corp also operates Gorgoza Park, a lift-served tubing park, in Park City, Utah. For additional information, please visit www.powdr.com.

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,000 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.

About the Green Power Leadership Awards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) co-sponsors the annual Green Power Leadership Awards in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Center for Resource Solutions. EPA recognizes winners in the following awards categories; Green Power Partner of the Year; On-site Generation; and Green Power Purchase. EPA’s Purchaser awards recognize the exceptional achievement among EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through green power procurement, market leadership, overall green power strategy, and overall impact on the green power market. The Awards are held in conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/.

Cool video from Freeriders Against Global Warming.

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