Concessionaire
Xanterra Parks & Resorts Set To Install One Of Largest Solar
Energy Systems In The Country
Death Valley Solar Photovoltaic
System - Largest in Tourism Industry-
Will Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions by More Than 30 Percent
November 12, 2007
- Xanterra Parks & Resorts (www.xanterra.com)
has announced it will install one of the largest solar photovoltaic
(PV) energy systems in the country - and the largest system in
the U.S. tourism industry - in Death Valley National Park, the
sunniest place in the country. The one megawatt (MW) system will
harness the sun's energy to generate more than one-third of the
annual electricity needs for Xanterra's operations there, comprised
of the Furnace Creek Inn, Ranch and golf course and employee offices
and housing.
Xanterra's
system in Death Valley will be one of the largest privately owned
PV energy systems in the country, and easily the largest in the
U.S tourism industry. Xanterra, the country's leading national
and state park concessionaire, will fully own the system and the
energy it produces.
Over the next 30
years, Xanterra's PV system will eliminate the emission of more
than 284,000 tons of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur
dioxide, primary contributors to global warming, acid rain and
smog. This is equal to planting more than 54,200 trees and removing
more than 3,700 cars from California's highways.
"This installation
will result in significant benefits for the environment,"
said Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of Xanterra Parks
& Resorts. "The sunny skies of Death Valley
will make this system create a tremendous amount of energy while
reducing greenhouse gases. With this single development, we will
exceed President Bush's new executive order - 'Strengthening Federal
Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management' - that calls
for a three percent annual reduction of energy intensity or a
total 30 percent reduction by the end of fiscal year 2015 relative
to fiscal year 2003. And, obviously, reducing the amount of energy
we purchase will reduce our operating costs."
Xanterra
has contracted with SPG Solar Inc. of Novato, Calif. for the installation.
SPG Solar has installed more than 500 commercial and residential
PV systems tied to electric grids.
The company expects
the system to be completed and operational by March 2008. The
1 MW system will produce more than two million kilowatt-hours
per year of clean renewable energy - enough to power more than
400 average-sized American homes - and will require virtually
no maintenance.
"There is
no more critical environmental issue in corporate America today
than weaning ourselves off of fossil fuels to reduce associated
greenhouse gas pollution and promote energy independence,"
said Chris Lane, vice president of environmental affairs for Xanterra.
"This system, larger than six football fields, will be one
of the most salient examples of Xanterra's commitment
to environmental protection." Company-wide since 2000, Xanterra
has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent
through efficiency and conservation measures. This new solar PV
system will help the company exceed a 20 percent gross reduction
in greenhouse gases.
In addition to
Death Valley National Park, Xanterra operates lodges, restaurants
and other concessions in national and state parks and resorts
throughout the country including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce
Canyon, Zion and Crater Lake National Parks.
Xanterra
has become recognized as an environmental leader in the hospitality
industry. The company has already exceeded its reduction target
in greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions through a partnership
with the World Wildlife Fund and its Climate Saver program; received
the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy
& Environmental Design (LEED) certification twice;
published the first national park hospitality Sustainability Report;
published and implemented its own Guidelines for Environmentally
Sustainable Design and Construction of buildings in national parks;
received the ISO 14001 International Environmental Management
System Standard Certification for all of its national park operations;
and developed many other tourism industry leading standards.
Xanterra
also has created its "2015 Environmental Vision" with
ambitious company-wide goals of decreasing fossil fuel usage by
30 percent (baseline year 2000), increasing usage of renewable
energy to provide seven percent of total electricity consumed,
decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent (baseline year
2000), diverting from landfill 50 percent of all solid waste generated,
increasing purchases of sustainable food items to 50 percent of
all food expenditures, achieving CAFÉ (corporate average
fuel economy) standard of 35 miles per gallon (EPA rated combined
city and highway) for all passenger vehicles (under 10 persons)
purchased annually, generating zero hazardous waste and decreasing
water usage by 25 percent (baseline year 2003).
The Furnace
Creek Inn & Ranch Resort (www.furnacecreekresort.com)
in Death Valley National Park has been welcoming guests since
the 1930s. The Furnace Creek Inn is an AAA Four Diamond-rated
property featuring 66 rooms and two suites with a full array of
amenities, fine dining, tennis courts and a spring-fed pool. Situated
adjacent to the golf course, the Ranch features 224 rooms in a
casual setting.
Xanterra
Parks & Resorts® (consisting of Xanterra Parks
& Resorts, Inc. and Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C.) operates lodges,
restaurants and other concessions at national parks and state
parks and resorts. Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country's
largest park concessionaire. Xanterra operates concessions in
the following locations: Yellowstone, the North Rim of Grand Canyon,
Bryce Canyon, Zion, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Rocky Mountain
and Petrified Forest National Parks, and Mount Rushmore National
Memorial; and at the Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif.; Gideon
Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and eight Ohio
State Parks. Its affiliate Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C. operates
concessions at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Xanterra operates
the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Ariz.
Long committed
to the preservation and protection of the environment, Ecologix,
Xanterra Parks & Resorts' environmental program,
includes a variety of proactive environmental stewardship programs
in each location. Xanterra has been repeatedly recognized for
its environmental leadership in the hospitality industry and is
the recipient of many honors, including major awards from the
U.S. Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency,
Travel Industry Association, Colorado Department of Public Health,
State of Arizona, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
and Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
For more information
about Xanterra, links to individual properties
and reservations numbers, visit www.xanterra.com.
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