"Wind Energy Hitting the Slopes"

Offshore wind farms aren't the only places wind turbines are being considered as an alternative fuel source. It may not seem like it, but ski resorts use a great deal of energy, running lifts and producing snow, a great deal of water, as well as having a great impact on the environment. The Jimmy Peak ski resort in Hancock, Massachusetts is the first ski resort to construct a wind turbine to generate power. Brian Fairbank, the resort owner, said he tried everything from using recycled motor oil to heat moutain operation to installing waterless toilets to try and lower his energy bill. With all his efforts his annual bill still reached over $600,000. So Jimmy's Peak is installed a 386 foot turbine while other resorts watch to see if it is something they might consider as well. Resorts such as Aspen (CO), Blue Moutain (PA), Shawnee Moutain(PA) and Grouse Moutain (Canada) are other places studying the effects of wind power.In its first year, the turbine cut the resorts electric bill by $200,000. "We now make twice as much snow, with half the amount of money that we did 15 years ago" Fairbank said.