Mt. Hood Meadows has received a $5,000 grant from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) to to significantly reduce green house gas emission caused by resort shuttle bus idling. Large vehicles like shuttle buses often run on diesel engines, which can require long idling periods in order to be operational. The ski area’s grant will go toward the purchase of preheater equipment which allows for heating of the diesel engine without idling. The installation of this technology will reduce overall idling time by 400 hours during peak season and reduce the amount of fuel consumed by the buses. It is anticipated that the project will prevent the emission of 3.66 metric tons of CO2 per season. The project will raise awareness about idling among resort guests and hopefully reduce their vehicle idling as well.
This is the third Sustainable Slopes Grant Meadows has received - grants have helped the resort purchase bottle refill stations that have reduced the use of plastic water bottles, and battery charging systems to power messaging signs on parking lot trucks which no longer need to idle to run the sign.
Mt. Hood Meadows is a charter member of the NSAA Sustainable Slopes Environmental Charter and is participating in the Climate Challenge to reduce its carbon footprint.
For more information about Mt. Hood Meadows sustainability efforts visit our environmental page.