Jiminy Peak Ranks Nationally in SKI Magazine

Jiminy Peak Ranks Nationally in SKI Magazine “Top Resorts” Issue

Hancock, MA: Jiminy Peak is proud to announce that the resort was rated #5 in North America for Family Programs by Ski Magazine Readers. This was the highest national ranking ever for the resort. Jiminy earned honors in 9 other categories, a record in Jiminy Peak’s history.

Jiminy’s rankings compared to approximately 115 other Eastern resorts are:

· Overall, 11^th in the East

· Lifts, 3^rd

· Weather, 5^th

· On Mountain Food, 5^th

· Family Programs, 5^th

· Service, 7^th

· Access, 9^th

· Off hill activities, 9^th

· Grooming, 10^th

The complete list of top ranking resorts throughout the country is available in Ski Magazine’s October 2007 issue. Ski Magazine’s Annual Resort Guide ranks the best in North America through a survey of the magazine’s well-traveled and ski-savvy readers. The publication reaches over 1.6 million skiers a year.

Jiminy Peak is the largest ski and snowboard resort in Southern New England and the only mountain resort in North America to generate its own power using alternative wind energy. More information can be found at jiminypeak.com.

###

Jiminy Wind Turbine Information & Facts

Jiminy Peak uses significant energy for snowmaking, lifts, slope lighting and heat. Rising energy costs are a concern, as passing those costs onto our guests by raising lift ticket prices, could materially jeopardize the health of our industry into the future. In the fall of 2004, management became increasingly aware of fossil fuel's negative impacts on our environment and potential limited supply causing steep price increases. In order to help mitigate these potential concerns, Jiminy investigated the potential for a wind turbine site at the mountain. A discussion and application criteria for the Massachusetts Technological Collaborative (MTC) was evaluated and it deemed appropriate for Jiminy to submit for a MTC grant.Jiminy hired Kevin Schulte, a principal from Sustainable Energy developments, Inc (SED) out of Syracuse, New York to help guide the process of a grant application while educating management on all aspects of the wind turbine industry. Jiminy's management and SED determined an effective turbine location at an elevation of 2,000 feet on the westerly side of the mountain, 350 feet below the summit. This site avoided the turbine from being on the horizon, thus reducing the visual impact. Fortunately, due to the topography there were no impediments from the wind for more than 40 miles to the west, extending to Utica, New York. The site is on the Southwest corner of Jiminy's 10 million gallon summit reservoir and 1,000 feet away from ski trails. In March of 2005 a full application was submitted to MTC citing all the necessary information for consideration of a grant. A wind resource assessment, sight location, anticipated internal use of wind turbine power, and other necessary documentation was submitted. In July 2005, Jiminy was notified by MTC that a grant for $582,000 had been approved. The grant provided for continued engineering and consulting work, plus purchasing and installation of a turbine ranging from a .75 mw to 1.5mw wind turbine. By August of 2005 Jiminy management was becoming acutely aware of dramatic increases in energy cost on multiple fronts. For the season ending 2004 Jiminy had spent $782,766 on energy, for the 2005 season the amount was $948,421. In just 4 months oil prices had gone up 50% by mid-summer and predications for winter electricity rates indicated there would be a 50% increase. The combined impact of these energy costs were predicated to total $1,451,000. This was prior to the impacts of hurricane Katrina. (Energy costs will exceed 1.5 million dollars for 2005-2006.) In early fall of 2005 it became very apparent the pursuit of a turbine for installation in 2006 was of prime importance. During the months of September, October and November Jiminy's management and SED proceeded obtaining clearance in the following areas: 1. Wetlands study for the access road and site. 2. A negative determination from the Towns of Lanesboro and Hancock stating the project will not impact the wetlands. 3. Avian Assessment, (bird study) indicating no impacts. 4. A determination by Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) that an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) was not necessary for a single turbine as all impacts fell below minimal thresholds. 5. Study of rare and endangered species was completed with an indication there were no rare or endangered species. 6. A letter of opinion was obtained from the National Heritage Society of no negative impacts. 7. Civil engineering analysis concluded that it was possible to get the heavy equipment up the mountain. 8. Visual Impact Assessment of the project (photo simulations). By mid November, Jiminy's management was confident that progress with permits and financial analysis warranted a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a 1 MW turbine. On November 15th, five turbine manufactures were given bid specification with a requirement for response by December 15, 2005. On December 24, 2005, SED notified Jiminy's management that no Turbine manufacturers could meet a delivery of 2006, especially since Jiminy was interested in only one turbine. The demand for turbines has heightened dramatically in recent years, therefore interest in single purchases has been deemed less desirable for manufacturers. Projects of 10 units or more are their target markets. On January 3, 2006 Jiminy Peak was in contact with senior management at General Electric Wind and found them willing to assist us in the purchase of a wind turbine for late summer of 2006. However, General Electric's smallest turbine is 1.5 mw turbines which is taller than the 1 mw turbine. 1 mw turbine would be a 224 foot tower structure with 88 feet blades for a total height of 312 feet. The GE 1.5 turbine structure is 253 feet tall with a 122 feet blade for a total height of 375 feet. The GE turbine technology is proven to be a necessity in order to capture all the positive impacts of the wind. GE's patented adjusting blade technology enables it to catch every breath of air in order to maximize generation output. GE's sited several critical issues that needed to be answered in order to proceed further with a purchase. 1.A re-evaluation of the wind study and determination of how many kilowatt hours could be generated by a GE turbine indicated it will produce 4.6 MILLION KILOWATT HOURS of electricity. (Jiminy uses 7 million kilowatt hours). 2.Turbulence data was necessary in order to assure there would be no excessive vibrations to the turbine over the useful life of the next 50 years. Historical weather information proved there are no turbulence concerns. 3.The ability for the turbines connection into Jiminy's electrical distribution and National Grid's distribution system was satisfactory answered. 4.Civil Engineering and contractor capabilities for hauling this heavier piece of equipment up the mountain and installing it was resolved. GE indicated a decision was needed by February 10, 2006 for a summer of 2006 delivery. Jiminy was still struggling with the analysis and cost of electrical distribution within the resort as well as the installation cost of the turbine. Four days prior to the deadline, Jiminy requested an opinion from GE as to whether they felt a delivery in late summer was realistic. A later date could seriously jeopardize installation as the lack of the summer sun would curtail the ability for the mountain to dry out in the event of significant rain and jeopardize transportation up the mountain. GE was already been at a 100% of its production capability they responded by saying, "the risk of getting a delivery by mid-September was in fact significant" therefore they recommended waiting for a delivery in July 2007. Jiminy made a firm decision and signed a purchase and sale agreement March 31, 2006 in order to get into the production line for a July 2007 delivery. Jiminy has done a final analysis of its electrical distribution system improvements in order to maximize the use of the power on its campus. Currently Jiminy is paying 12 cents per kilowatt hour for the supply side of power and would therefore get a 12 cent economic benefit for each kilowatt hour it was able to consume internally. Based on the distribution improvements costing $600,000, 2.3 of the 4.6 million kilowatt hours will be consumed internally. The economic benefits for the power going into the grid, off campus, is 5.5 cents plus a 1.9 cents tax credit for a total of 7.4 cents. Obviously, Jiminy's maximum benefit is based on internal consumption rather than the 4.5 cent reduction for power going into the grid. Jiminy finalized the installation cost for the turbine in terms of shipping cranes, transporting parts up the mountain, concrete and installation in the summer of 2007. The cost for the project is 3.9 million dollars. During 2006 Jiminy intends to pour the concrete for the foundation, install transformers and underground power lines down the mountain and make the electrical distribution improvements in the base complex. These necessary changes enable Jiminy to use power in primary base lodges during the summer months and maximize the turbines output during winter with snowmaking and lift operations. The return on investment is predicated to take 8 years to payback. Jiminy's management is dedicated to this effort with the belief that sustainable type energy will add significant value to the resort in the future. Representative Dan Bosley applauded Jiminy's efforts by stating, "It's great to see a local company thinking globally and acting locally," Fairbank further states, "I am proud of the decision to install a turbine and believes that his great grandchildren will look favorable upon this decision to do something positive and sustainable for the environment long into the future.