100% renewable energy coming to 3 ski centers

The state says Belleayre, Gore and Whiteface mountains will end any reliance on fossil fuels by 2030.

ALBANY, N.Y. >> The three state-owned ski centers in New York, including Belleayre in Ulster County, have pledged to be powered entirely by renewable energy no later than 2030, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office said Friday.

Having the Belleayre, Gore and Whiteface ski centers join The Climate Reality Project’s “I Am Snow 100%” program is in line with Cuomo’s Clean Energy Standard, which requires that half of all electricity used in New York come from renewable sources, rather than fossil fuels, by 2030, the governor’s office said in a press release.

“Belleayre, Gore and Whiteface are key drivers of their local tourism economies, and with this commitment they are joining New York’s nationleading efforts to fight climate change, reduce our carbon footprint and foster the development of renewal resources,” Cuomo said in the release. “This commitment to New York’s future ... will help ensure these resorts’ continued vitality for generations to come.”

The renewable energy announcement comes on the heels of Cuomo adding $8 million for Belleayre improvements to his 201718 state budget, which originally included no new money for the ski center in Shandaken. The budget previously included a total of $20 million for improvements at Gore and Whiteface, both of which are in the Adirondacks.

All three ski centers are operated by the state’s Olympic Regional Development Authority, or ORDA.

Climate Reality Project CEO Ken Berlin said in the press release from Cuomo’s office that the “I Am Snow” program “is proud to partner with the [ORDA]-managed ski areas . ... Recognizing the devastating impact the climate crisis will have on snow, the turn these ski areas are making toward solutions brings us all hope.”

The release quoted Ulster County Executive Michael Hein saying he was “thrilled with Governor Cuomo’s announcement that all New York stateowned ski centers, including Belleayre, are to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.”

The Climate Reality Project was founded by former Vide President Al Gore and is dedicated to mobilizing action regarding climate change.

The $8 million recently earmarked for Belleayre by Cuomo is to pay for such improvements as construction of a high-speed, eight-person gondola lift; and expansions of the Discovery and Overlook lodges.

Belleayre also has plans for a $74 million major expansion and modernization project, but the state has yet to authorize the money for it.