Rocky Mountain Institute founder Amory Lovins knows that eccentricity in the defense of energy independence is no vice at the think tank in Old Snowmass. "While Lovins' eating and work habits appear a bit out of the ordinary," reports Roger Fillion, "there's an explanation. Blame it on global warming and $100 oil. Lovins' views on weaning the nation of fossil fuels have come more into vogue, especially in corporate America. So he's been burning the midnight oil in his solar- powered home and office. Companies such as Wal-Mart, Ford and Pacific Gas and Electric--plus the Pentagon and the White House--have sought advice from Lovins and the environmental think tank he co-founded here, the Rocky Mountain Institute."
"I've succeeded in doing a lot of sexy projects yet utterly failed in what I set out to do," says Aspen Skiing Company's Auden Schendler. "How do you really green your company? It's almost f------ impossible."
Tis the season to celebrate the coming winter and all four seasons in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Posts filed under 'Environment'
SNOWMASS, COLORADO (Post Time News)–The Snowmass Club has achieved designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. The Snowmass Club is the 30th course in Colorado and the 665th in the world to receive the honor.
“Our golf course was redesigned in 2003 to enhance its connection to the natural surroundings,” says course superintendent Alan Ogren. “The changes include development of a nature trail along Brush Creek, rehabilitation and building of wetlands and the significant increase in the use of natural roughs. Combine these improvements with the LEED-Silver certified golf clubhouse and we’ve created a course that strives to operate sustainably.” Ogren has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on this course and is also being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International.
Continue Reading May 12th, 2008
In the Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen has the title for the most socialistic municipality. If there’s a chance for the local Aspen poobahs to levy a tax or stick their nose in your business, then chances are that’s just what they’re going to do.
But not even the Aspen Politburo has the stones to do what the Town Council has done at Snowmass: to ban smoking outdoors in the Town of Snowmass Village.
Outdoors. That’s right. Light up in the great outdoors of Snowmass Village and you are toast–or at least subject to a fine as high as $1,000. Town Councilor Jack Wilkinson proposed the ban, according to a local paper, in part because of the impact of smoking on the health of his family.
Continue Reading November 11th, 2007
BASALT, COLORADO–They came in peace but they left in a Prius.
At the Peace Ranch parking lot here Saturday night, one Prius after another was stacked up and ready for lift-off, like so many carbonizers at the Indianapolis 500. The Priuses in question–is that the plural of Prius?–were shiny, new, and righteous, for they were ready to transport the thousands of people who wended their way to one of the more remote corners of Basalt for the RMI:25 celebration of the Rocky Mountain Institute, the “think and do tank” so green it leaves rivals green with envy. And what better place for a hybrid than a hoe-down where the back-patting for what RMI has wrought was nothing less than thunderous?
Like one of those old Republican conferences on family values, the RMI celebration would drive those on the other side of the debate absolutely bonkers.
Continue Reading August 13th, 2007
SNOWMASS, COLORADO (Post Time News)–Former New York Governor George E. Pataki will be in Snowmass over the next several days both for the Rocky Mountain Institute’s 25th Anniversary celebration and for Related Westpac’s announcement of a green initiative in its development here of Base Village.
The former Governor is known for beeing green. BusinessWeek named him one of the top 20 “Individuals who stand out for their efforts to cut gases that cause global warming” in the world. Also, in 2006, Vanity Fair called him a governor who “gets it” in its inaugural “Green Issue” for his efforts concerning the environment.
Continue Reading August 9th, 2007
Michael Potts succeeds Amory Lovins—now chairman and chief scientist at RMI—at a time then the Institute’s tenets about energy independence have been gaining a wider acceptance. RMI defines itself as “an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization,” and the 25th anniversary celebration—“ RMI 25: Celebrating Solutions”– is meant to highlight the nonprofit’s mission.
“The issues that confronted RMI during its inaugural years are now in the forefront of today’s debate on climate change,” Lovins said. “After 25 years of challenging conventional thinking and leading the field in cutting edge research and consulting, RMI will host a celebration recognizing its past work while keeping our focus on the challenges in front of us.”
Continue Reading July 27th, 2007
“Even though the second homeowners advisory board is only meeting for its third time, we are very pleased with the response we have been given by the city council,” Doyle said. “The council realized that while [ 2nd homeowners] don’t have a vote they should still have a voice.”
Today’s workshop which was open to the public, lasted from 9-12 p.m. and served as an introduction of the board members. The meeting included a small gathering of board members and a couple of people from Snowmass. Everyone had a chance to speak and say a little about what they would like to see in the future for Snowmass.
Continue Reading July 17th, 2007
The Snowmass Village Town Council, which holds an advisory board for second homeowners twice every year, will be hosting its summer session tomorrow and Wednesday July 18th at the Anderson Ranch and Anderson Ranch’s Schermer Meeting Hall.
Tuesday’s workshop which is open to the public, will last from 9-12 p.m. will be an introduction of the board members and a chance for everyone to speak and say a little about what they would like to see in the future for Snowmass.
Continue Reading July 16th, 2007
Assume an SUV fuel tank holds 29 gallons. Let’s say the SUV drives itself to the nearest E85 fueling station (formerly known as a “gas station”), and fills-up. The amount of ethanol required is approx. 25 gallons. How much corn is required to make that amount of ethanol?
a.) 25lbs
b.)50lbs
c.)250lbs
d.)450lbs
Answer: d. 450lbs of corn, enough to feed a third world peasant for a year, would be required. The price of corn has more than doubled over the past year.
July 11th, 2007
Anthropogenic CO2 production accounts for 3.20% of all CO2 emissions. Carbon dioxide makes up 3.62% of all greenhouse gases, making anthropogenic CO2 account for approximately 0.116% of all greenhouse gases. Elimination of 90% of our emissions would reduce all greenhouse emissions by 0.10%, making anthropogenic Co2, THE cause of global warming a statistical impossibility! (http://mysite.verizon.net/mhieb/WVFossils/greenhouse_data.html).
Continue Reading July 10th, 2007
Since 1984 Snowmass Village and Jazz Aspen Snowmas (JAS) have teamed up to present Snowmass’ free Thursday night concert series. These generous venues have attracted millions to Fanny Hill where locals, visitors, and freeloaders have the opportunity to take a trip back in time with legendary rock, soul, R&B and latin music artists.
“We are very excited about Marcia Ball she is a very wonderful jazz musician,” said Snowmass Village Public Relations Directory, Allison Johnson. “People Just love her, which is why she is coming back for the second time.”
This Thursday July 12, will feature Marcia Ball, an American blues singer and pianist. Recognized as an influential pianist, her unique style was inspired by y zydeco, swamp blues, and boogie woogie. Ball, who was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 1990, plays roadhouse rock, jump-blues, second line syncopation, R&B, deep soul, and ballads. Not only known for her marvelous piano playing skills but her gifted singing and songwriting that blend together to create and real and unique energy.
Starting June 28 and running through August 23, the evening starts on the hill at 6:00p.m., right next to the Snowmass Mall.
“We oversee the concert series,” said Mountain Groove Productions, Josh Behrman. “[Mountain Groove Productions] is contracted by the town of Snowmass Village to help with the Thursday night concerts specifically. JAS has been responsible for scouting talent, but we supervise all aspects.”
Behrman, who said has only been working with JAS on the free Thursday concerts for two years, indicated that a lot of work goes into the organization of these free concerts, but when it is all said and done everyone is happy.
Jill Merriam has announced bands and artists at the Thursday night concert series previously this summer and plans to do it again before the summer is over.
“It’s a fun free event that benefits the community, and a lot of cool people come out,” said Merriam. “All alcohol purchased goes to local charities, not to mention all the bands and musicians are great.”
July 10th, 2007
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