The Aspen Skiing Co. has earned recognition as the largest wind power purchaser under the EPA Green Power Partnership program in the industry. The company operates four ski mountains and two hotels in Colorado. The planned wind farm will provide 100 percent of the facilities' electricity needs.

“EPA applauds Aspen Skiing Company for this important purchase of renewable energy certificates and its leadership in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions,” said Matt Clouse, program director of the EPA's Green Power Partnership. “We hope these efforts will have a snowball effect on building support for renewable energy sources like wind power.”

The company's purchase of 21,000 MWh will keep nearly 20,000 tons of CO2, one of six greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, out of the atmosphere each year - the equivalent of removing an estimated 2,500 cars from the road annually.

Aspen joins other businesses like Whole Foods, Fedex Kinkos, Starbucks, Nike and Patagonia in making a significant commitment to renewable energy. Most of these businesses are members of EPA's Green Power Partnership, a voluntary program seeking to increase the use of green power among U.S. organizations.

For more information on the partnership, visit: www.epa.gov/greenpower.