Vail Resorts, Inc. -- the largest ski and mountain resort operator in the world -- has announced a comprehensive sustainability commitment that calls for "zero net emissions by 2030, zero waste to landfill by 2030 and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat." According to the company, Vail Resorts' "Epic Promise for a Zero Footprint" will give resort guests and employees "the opportunity to enjoy the natural environment and resources without leaving an impact."
Vail Resorts' subsidiaries operate 11 mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada; Perisher in Australia; Stowe in Vermont; Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in
Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. The company also owns and operates hotels as well as a real estate planning and development subsidiary.
In a July 25, 2017, press release, Vail Resorts announced its "Epic Promise for a Zero Footprint" sustainability commitment. Pointing to Whistler Blackcomb's environmental commitment as inspiration, Vail Resorts announced its intent "to go beyond setting a partial emissions reduction target by executing on a more expansive and ambitious plan."
With respect to net zero emissions from operations by 2030, the Vail Resorts plan calls for continued reduction of the company's electricity and gas use by improving operating practices and investing $25 million
in innovative, energy-saving projects, such as low-energy snowmaking
equipment, green building design and construction, and more efficient
grooming practices and equipment. Among other measures, it envisions purchasing 100 percent renewable energy equivalent to Vail Resorts'
total electrical energy use and working with utilities and local,
regional and national governments to bring more renewable energy to the
grids where the company operates its resorts. As an interim goal, the plan states the company's intent to achieve a 50 percent reduction in its net emissions by 2025, based on 2016 levels.
Other 2030 goals set in the Vail Resorts plan include "zero waste to landfill" (by diverting
100 percent of the waste from its operations to more sustainable
pathways) and "zero net operating impact to forests and habitat" (by measures including mitigation, tree planting and forest restoration, and minimizing or eliminating the impact of any future resort development).
Energy powers society; society's choices shape energy policy. A blog about our energy resources and the choices they present for society.
Showing posts with label skiing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skiing. Show all posts
Alta, snowmaking pipes and conduit hydro power
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Federal energy regulators have issued Alta Ski Area a written determination that its proposed micro-hydropower project will not be required to be licensed under the Federal Power Act. If developed, Alta's project would be one of the first to generate electricity from a snowmaking water supply pipeline.
Most grid-connected hydropower projects in the U.S. fall under the Federal Power Act, and generally require a license or exemption from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The process of securing an original license or exemption for a new project can take years and have high costs. But under a 2013 law, some so-called "conduit" hydro projects -- using pipelines and other existing manmade water conveyances -- can be developed and operated without a license or exemption. The Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 defined criteria for the Commission to declare a project to be a "qualifying conduit hydropower facility," and provided that such facilities are not required to be licensed or exempted from licensing under the Federal Power Act. Key factors include the use of a non-federally owned, manmade water conveyance that is operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity. If the Commission determines that a project qualifies, it can be built and maintained without a FERC license or exemption.
Under the Commission's process for evaluating conduit hydro projects, the developer must file a notice of intent to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility. If the developer's filing demonstrates that the project meets the statutory criteria, the Commission will issue a notice of its preliminary decision that the project qualifies. Following a 45-day period within which others may contest the determination, assuming no adverse facts are uncovered, the Commission issues a letter constituting its written determination that the proposed project meets the qualifying conduit hydropower facility criteria.
Alta's course before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission followed this trail. In May 2016, Alta filed its notice of intent to construct the Alta Micro-Hydro Project. That notice and a supplemental filing described a project to tap the existing underground 6-inch-diameter snowmaking water supply pipeline delivering water from Cecret Lake to the Wildcat Pump House. Parallel to that pipeline, Alta would add a new powerhouse with a 75-kilowatt turbine/generating unit. Later that month, Commission staff issued a public notice that preliminarily determined that the project met the statutory criteria. After the 45-day contest period, during which no interventions or comments were filed, in July the Commission issued Alta a written determination that the Alta Micro-Hydro Project meets the qualifying criteria under section 30(a) of the Federal Power Act, and is not required to be licensed under Part I of that law.
The Commission's letter reminds Alta that qualifying conduit hydropower facilities remain subject to other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. But the ability to develop a conduit hydropower project without requiring a license from the FERC will ease the project's regulatory path. So far, most projects that have qualified for the conduit hydropower program have been proposed by water districts. But as ski areas seek to align their operations with sustainability goals, adding low-impact renewable electricity generation may make sense for some. If Alta's micro-hydro project is successful, other ski areas with existing snowmaking or other water infrastructure over a sufficient vertical drop may follow suit by developing their own conduit hydropower projects.
Most grid-connected hydropower projects in the U.S. fall under the Federal Power Act, and generally require a license or exemption from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The process of securing an original license or exemption for a new project can take years and have high costs. But under a 2013 law, some so-called "conduit" hydro projects -- using pipelines and other existing manmade water conveyances -- can be developed and operated without a license or exemption. The Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 defined criteria for the Commission to declare a project to be a "qualifying conduit hydropower facility," and provided that such facilities are not required to be licensed or exempted from licensing under the Federal Power Act. Key factors include the use of a non-federally owned, manmade water conveyance that is operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity. If the Commission determines that a project qualifies, it can be built and maintained without a FERC license or exemption.
Under the Commission's process for evaluating conduit hydro projects, the developer must file a notice of intent to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility. If the developer's filing demonstrates that the project meets the statutory criteria, the Commission will issue a notice of its preliminary decision that the project qualifies. Following a 45-day period within which others may contest the determination, assuming no adverse facts are uncovered, the Commission issues a letter constituting its written determination that the proposed project meets the qualifying conduit hydropower facility criteria.
Alta's course before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission followed this trail. In May 2016, Alta filed its notice of intent to construct the Alta Micro-Hydro Project. That notice and a supplemental filing described a project to tap the existing underground 6-inch-diameter snowmaking water supply pipeline delivering water from Cecret Lake to the Wildcat Pump House. Parallel to that pipeline, Alta would add a new powerhouse with a 75-kilowatt turbine/generating unit. Later that month, Commission staff issued a public notice that preliminarily determined that the project met the statutory criteria. After the 45-day contest period, during which no interventions or comments were filed, in July the Commission issued Alta a written determination that the Alta Micro-Hydro Project meets the qualifying criteria under section 30(a) of the Federal Power Act, and is not required to be licensed under Part I of that law.
The Commission's letter reminds Alta that qualifying conduit hydropower facilities remain subject to other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. But the ability to develop a conduit hydropower project without requiring a license from the FERC will ease the project's regulatory path. So far, most projects that have qualified for the conduit hydropower program have been proposed by water districts. But as ski areas seek to align their operations with sustainability goals, adding low-impact renewable electricity generation may make sense for some. If Alta's micro-hydro project is successful, other ski areas with existing snowmaking or other water infrastructure over a sufficient vertical drop may follow suit by developing their own conduit hydropower projects.
Alta Ski Area conduit micro-hydro project
Friday, May 27, 2016
Alta Ski Area has proposed developing a micro-hydropower project along an existing pipeline, and hopes to benefit from a streamlined regulatory process. Federal regulators have made a preliminary determination that the proposed Alta Micro-Hydro Project, in Alta, Utah, satisfies the requirements to be treated as a "qualifying conduit hydropower facility," which would not require licensing under the Federal Power Act.
Alta's proposed project would include a new powerhouse to be built along the existing underground 6-inch-diameter snowmaking water supply pipeline delivering water from Cecret Lake to the Wildcat Pump House, a new turbine/generating unit with an installed capacity of 75 kilowatts, intake and discharge pipes, and appurtenant facilities. The unit is estimated to generate between 115 and 225 megawatt-hours annually. There is no dam associated with the project. Alta presented its micro-hydro project as part of a 2012 request to update its master plan, which the U.S. Forest Service accepted.
Ski areas with snowmaking capacity typically have existing pipelines and water infrastructure, coupled with significant vertical relief. This can create opportunities to generate electricity using energy harvested from water flowing downhill through a pipeline, particularly if reducing system pressure (like a pressure relief valve) is otherwise needed.
A 2013 law was designed to help small conduit-based hydropower projects by eliminating their need for a license or exemption from licensing issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Section 4 of the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 amended Section 30 of the Federal Power Act. Section 30 now provides that a "qualifying conduit hydropower facility" -- one that is determined or deemed to meet defined criteria -- is not required to be licensed or exempted from licensing under the Federal Power Act. These criteria include:
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission administers this statute. To start the regulatory process, on May 16, 2016, Alta filed a notice of intent to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility. Alta supplemented its notice on May 20 to clarify that the project "will only operate when there is excess capacity available in the pipeline and when water is hydrologically available", generally after the winter snowmaking season, during spring runoff. Alta also restated that the pipeline's main purpose will continue to be snowmaking.
Yesterday the FERC issued its notice of preliminary determination of a qualifying conduit hydropower facility for Alta's project. That notice examines the project relative to each of the four statutory criteria, and then provides the Commission's preliminary determination:
Other recently proposed conduit hydro projects have been determined to be qualifying conduit hydropower facilities, including a Colorado project using an existing "ditch drop," a Castle Valley, Utah water treatment project, a California wholesale water agency conduit project, and a New Hampshire water works.
Alta's proposed project would include a new powerhouse to be built along the existing underground 6-inch-diameter snowmaking water supply pipeline delivering water from Cecret Lake to the Wildcat Pump House, a new turbine/generating unit with an installed capacity of 75 kilowatts, intake and discharge pipes, and appurtenant facilities. The unit is estimated to generate between 115 and 225 megawatt-hours annually. There is no dam associated with the project. Alta presented its micro-hydro project as part of a 2012 request to update its master plan, which the U.S. Forest Service accepted.
Ski areas with snowmaking capacity typically have existing pipelines and water infrastructure, coupled with significant vertical relief. This can create opportunities to generate electricity using energy harvested from water flowing downhill through a pipeline, particularly if reducing system pressure (like a pressure relief valve) is otherwise needed.
A 2013 law was designed to help small conduit-based hydropower projects by eliminating their need for a license or exemption from licensing issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Section 4 of the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 amended Section 30 of the Federal Power Act. Section 30 now provides that a "qualifying conduit hydropower facility" -- one that is determined or deemed to meet defined criteria -- is not required to be licensed or exempted from licensing under the Federal Power Act. These criteria include:
- The conduit the facility uses a tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance that is operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity.
- The facility is constructed, operated, or maintained for the generation of electric power and uses for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit.
- The facility has an installed capacity that does not exceed 5 megawatts.
- On or before August 9, 2013, the facility is not licensed, or exempted from the licensing requirements of Part I of the FPA.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission administers this statute. To start the regulatory process, on May 16, 2016, Alta filed a notice of intent to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility. Alta supplemented its notice on May 20 to clarify that the project "will only operate when there is excess capacity available in the pipeline and when water is hydrologically available", generally after the winter snowmaking season, during spring runoff. Alta also restated that the pipeline's main purpose will continue to be snowmaking.
Yesterday the FERC issued its notice of preliminary determination of a qualifying conduit hydropower facility for Alta's project. That notice examines the project relative to each of the four statutory criteria, and then provides the Commission's preliminary determination:
The proposed addition of the hydroelectric project along the existing water supply pipeline will not alter its primary consumptive purpose. Therefore, based upon the above criteria, Commission staff preliminarily determines that the proposal satisfies the requirements for a qualifying conduit hydropower facility, which is not required to be licensed or exempted from licensing.The notice also sets a 30-day deadline for filing motions to intervene, and a 45-day deadline for filing comments contesting whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria and providing an evidentiary basis.
Other recently proposed conduit hydro projects have been determined to be qualifying conduit hydropower facilities, including a Colorado project using an existing "ditch drop," a Castle Valley, Utah water treatment project, a California wholesale water agency conduit project, and a New Hampshire water works.
April 26, 2011 - Ivanpah solar deals with tortoise impacts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Two weeks ago, I noted Google's investment in the 392 MW Ivanpah solar project in California's Mojave Desert, and how it benefited from $1.6 billion in Department of Energy loan guarantees. Developer BrightSource Energy started construction on Phase I of the Ivanpah project in October 2010, with two subsequent phases slated for development shortly thereafter. BrightSource's business plan also includes an initial public offering, which led the company to file an S-1 securities registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Ivanpah project has now hit a speedbump in the form of a tortoise. The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) lives in the Mojave desert, including in the area where the Ivanpah project is proposed. As a result, BrightSource has apparently stopped work on the construction of Ivanpah's second and third phases.
BrightSource noted in its S-1 filing that "in April 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, advised us that it will require the issuance of a revised biological opinion by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, or FWS, prior to providing permission to proceed with the construction of Ivanpah’s second and third phases".
The Fish and Wildlife Service is reportedly developing that opinion now, which should be finalized over the summer.
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| Solar photovoltaic panels above Beaver Mountain ski area near Logan, Utah. |
BrightSource noted in its S-1 filing that "in April 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, advised us that it will require the issuance of a revised biological opinion by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, or FWS, prior to providing permission to proceed with the construction of Ivanpah’s second and third phases".
The Fish and Wildlife Service is reportedly developing that opinion now, which should be finalized over the summer.
September 16, 2010 - electric vehicles; Sugarloaf's efficient snowmaking
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Today, a look at several recent articles about electric vehicles. First, an article by Tom Walsh entitled "Why electric cars aren’t right for Mainers — right now". He cites the high price of electricity in Maine, which he attributes in part to deregulation and the ISO New England price-making methodology in which all resources are paid the clearing price of the last resource needed to cover load.
Second, a counterpoint by Milt Gross, who suggests that electricity is still much cheaper than gasoline in his experience, even when customers choose (as he did) to source their power from 100% renewable competitive electricity providers -- something empowered by deregulation.
Finally, a pair of letters to the editor about alternative energy: one supporting wind power as a constructive solution to energy and environmental problems, and another urging for the development of a hydrogen fuel market powered by renewable hydropower.
Maine ski area Sugarloaf is continuing to install high-efficiency snowmaking equipment, in addition to proposing a terrain expansion onto Burnt Mountain.
Second, a counterpoint by Milt Gross, who suggests that electricity is still much cheaper than gasoline in his experience, even when customers choose (as he did) to source their power from 100% renewable competitive electricity providers -- something empowered by deregulation.
Finally, a pair of letters to the editor about alternative energy: one supporting wind power as a constructive solution to energy and environmental problems, and another urging for the development of a hydrogen fuel market powered by renewable hydropower.
Maine ski area Sugarloaf is continuing to install high-efficiency snowmaking equipment, in addition to proposing a terrain expansion onto Burnt Mountain.
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