TableofContents
TablesandFigures
ListofTables
Table 1: Source vs Activity Examples with Definitions for GHG Emissions
Table 2: Resort Operations Emissions Inventory Results
Table 3:Energy Data Sources
Table 4: Emissions Factors for Electricity Consumption
Table 5: Transportation Data Sources
Table 6: MPG and Emissions Factors by Vehicle Type
Table 7: Wastewater Data Sources
Table 8: Potable Water Data Sources
Table 9: Solid Waste Data Sources
Table 10: Process & Fugitive Emissions Data Sources
ListofFigures
Figure 1: Resort-Wide Emissions by Sector
Figure 2: Sustainable Slopes Endorsement Badge
Figure 3: Inventory Development Process (EPA, 2024)
Figure 4: Global Warming Potential Measures (IPCC, 2021)
Figure5: DistributionofResort-WideEmissionsBySector
ExecutiveSummary
Overview
Brundage Mountain Resort, a four-season resort located in the Northern Rocky Mountains, spans 3,330 acres on the Payette National Forest (PNF) and 388 acres of private land at the base area. Situated approximately 100 miles north of Boise, Idaho, and eight miles northwest of McCall, Brundage offers a diverse range of recreational activities year-round. The resort is known for its exceptional snowfall, family-friendly atmosphere, and commitment to the local community and environment
OperationsandSeasonality
Brundage employs a significant number of staff to manage its extensive facilities, including multiple ski lifts and a snowcat skiing program covering 18,000 acres. Operations vary with the seasons, with peak activities during the winter for skiing and snowboarding, and summer for mountain biking and hiking Seasonal variations significantly influence the resort's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to changes in energy use and transportation needs
ClimateChallenges
The 2023-2024 season presents unique challenges due to the El Niño phenomenon, which has exacerbated the effects of a warming climate. These conditions have made it increasingly difficult to maintain consistent winter operations and have heightened the need for adaptive measures to ensure the resort's sustainability and resilience.
SustainabilityCommitment
Brundage is committed to environmental stewardship and has signed onto the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Sustainable Slopes initiative This commitment aligns with previous efforts to promote community and workplace sustainability, underscoringtheneedtointegrateenvironmentalsustainabilityintothecorevaluesandoperationalpracticesoftheresort.
MissionAlignment
Brundage's mission statement emphasizes a deep connection to the mountain and a dedication to creating an exceptional environment for future generations. This vision is supported by guiding principles that prioritize nature, family, community, and employee well-being The GHG inventory and subsequent mitigation strategies are integral to living out these values and ensuringthattheresortremainsacherisheddestination
idi P i i l
G
Introduction
The impact of rising greenhouse gas emissions and climate change is becoming not only more pertinent but more visible for ski resorts across North America. The acceleration of these environmental shifts not only threatens the ecological integrity of resorts but also presents significant economic and social risks to the ski industry as a whole. The estimated social cost of carbonis$417perton,accordingtoProtectOurWinters.Bytakingproactivestepstoinventoryandassessitsgreenhousegas emissions, Brundage Mountain Resort (Brundage) is taking a foundational step towards sustainability, resilience, and longevity. This report provides an opportunity for Brundage to understand its current footprint and implement measures to minimizeitsenvironmentalimpact,ensuringlong-termviabilityandresilienceinthefaceofachangingclimate.
Areasoffocusforthisreportincludeemissionsinventoriesof:
FoodandBeverage;Retail(InformationOnly)&UpstreamImpacts
Buildings&FacilitiesEnergy
ResortOperations&EmployeeTransportation
SolidWaste
Water&WastewaterTreatment
This report additionally provides recommendations to help improve the resort's operational efficiency, further business resilience, and optimize revenue while mitigating its environmental impact. By quantifying its emissions output and articulating a roadmap for emissions reduction, Brundage Ski Resort can fortify its position as a sustainable business leader andsetaprecedentforresponsiblestewardshipwithintheAmericanskiresortindustry.
OverviewofGHGTotalEmissions andScopeBreakdown
The GHG inventory for Brundage Mountain Resort for the selected inventory year provides a comprehensive analysis of emissions across various scopes and sectors. The report identifies the major sources of emissions and offers insight into areas where mitigation efforts can be focused.
TotalEmissions
ThetotalGHGemissionsforBrundageMountainResortarecalculatedasfollows:
Scope1(DirectEmissions):551metrictonsCO2e
Scope2(IndirectEmissionsfromEnergyConsumption):844metrictonsCO2e
Scope3(OtherIndirectEmissions):2,872metrictonsCO2e
TotalEmissions:4,267metrictonsCO2e
Seasonal Variability: Significant variations in emissions were observed between winter and summer operations primarily due to differences in energy consumption and transportation activities
EmployeeCommute(61.3%)
Building&Facilities(20.8%)
Transportation&MobileServices(812%)
VehicleFleet(7.91%)
Water&Wastewater(424%)
Process&FugitiveEmissions(3.64%)
SolidWaste(22%)
Figure1:Resort-WideEmissionsby Sector
IntroductiontoClimateChange
Climate change refers to long-term alterations in average weather patterns that define Earths local, regional, and global climates. Since the mid-20th century, these changes have been primarily driven by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere and raises Earth's average surface temperature [1] Natural processes, like cyclical ocean patterns and volcanic activity, also contribute to climate variability but are now overwhelmed by human-induced changes
Scientists monitor and study climate change using ground, air, and space observations combined with computer models These tools provide evidence of key climate change indicators, such as rising global temperatures, sea level increases, ice loss, and more frequent and severe extreme weather events. It is important to distinguish between "climate change," which refers to longterm changes, and "global warming," which specifically denotes the longterm heating of Earth's surface due to human activities Similarly, "weather" refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while "climate" describes long-term regional or global patterns
ClimateChangeImpactsonIdaho
At Brundage, were acutely aware of the shifting climate patterns that are impacting our beloved Idaho landscape. Studies predict rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and an increase in wildfires all of which pose significant challenges for our community and the surrounding environment As stewards of this land, we recognize the importance of adapting to these changes while preserving the natural beauty that defines our region
Idahos climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers is experiencing significant changes due to climate change With
[3]Runkle,J KE Kunkel R Frankson SM Champion,LE Stevens andJ Abatzoglou 2022:IdahoStateClimateSummary2022 NOAATechnica ReportNESDIS150-ID NOAA/NESDS,SilverSprng MD 4pp [4]SouthwestIdahoLandscapeProect (2023 September26) ArcGISStoryMaps https://storymapsarcgscom/stories/326b883b9d1b46498435a2a904a937d1
ImpactsonSkiResorts
The warming climate is significantly impacting North American ski resorts, particularly in the US, where warmer winters and reduced snowfall are becoming increasingly prevalent [5][6]. This warming trend is causing ski seasons to shrink, with resorts experiencing an average reduction of 34 days between 1982 and 2016. As a result, the winter sports industry is facing substantial economic losses, with potential annual revenue losses of up to $2 billion by 2090 under the most severe climate scenarios [3] Moreover, resorts are grappling with escalating operational costs due to the necessity for artificial snowmaking, which not only increases expenses but also raises environmental concerns regarding the use of fossil fuels. To adapt to these challenges, many resorts are investing in advanced snowmaking technologies and diversifying their activities to include year-round tourism with summer offerings like mountain biking and hiking [7]. While resorts situated at higher elevations demonstrate greater resilience, projections indicate that by 2050, season lengths could be reduced by over 50% at numerous North American resorts, and by 2090, reductions could surpass 80% in certain areas[5] Ultimately, the future of North American ski resorts depends on urgent effortstomitigategreenhousegasemissionsandadapttonewclimaticrealities.Balancingshort-termadaptationmeasureswith long-termsustainabilitygoalswillbecrucialforensuringthesurvivaloftheseresortsinawarmingworld
[5]Zook D (2019 December4) C matestudysuggestsgrimscenarioforskiresorts ProtectOurWinters https://protectourwintersorg/climate-study-suggests-grim-scenario-for-ski-resorts/ [6]Gerretsen, (2023 Apri 14) Howclimatechangethreatenstocloseskiresorts BBCNews https://wwwbbccom/future/article/20230124-how-clmate-change-threatens-to-close-ski-resorts [7]Butcher,A (2024 February2) Howdoesthefutureofskiresortslookinthefaceofc matechange?https://wwwnationalgeographccom/travel/article/how-does-the-future-of-ski-resorts-look-climatechange
GreenhouseGasInventoryasa StepTowardSustainability
Brundage Mountain Resort is embarking on a transformative journey to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, minimize its environmental impact, and commit to sustainable initiatives and development At the forefront of this effort is the resorts comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory, which serves as a critical step towards understanding and mitigating its carbon footprint By quantifying emissions from various sources such as energy consumption, transportation, and waste management, Brundage aims to identify opportunities for reducing its environmental impact.
Through strategic measures such as energy-efficient practices, renewable energy adoption, and waste reduction strategies, Brundage is actively working towards achieving significant reductions in its greenhouse gas emissions. By embracing sustainable practices throughout its operations, the resort aims to minimize its carbon footprint while continuing to provide exceptional recreational experiences for guests
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Brundage is committed to implementing sustainable initiatives and development practices that prioritize environmental stewardship. This includes investing in eco-friendly infrastructure, promoting responsible resource management, and engaging in conservation efforts to protect the surrounding natural habitat
By taking proactive steps to reduce its environmental impact and embrace sustainable development, Brundage Mountain Resort is setting a precedent for responsible business practices within the ski industry. Through ongoing commitment to sustainability, the resort is not only preserving the environment for future generations but also ensuring the long-term viability of its operations in harmony with nature.
[5]Zook D (2019,December4) Climatestudysuggestsgrimscenarioforskiresorts ProtectOurWinters https://protectourwintersorg/climate-study-suggests-grim- scenario-for-ski-resorts/
SustainabilityFrameworkforSkiAreas
AtBrundage,werecommittedtofacingthesechallengeshead-on,whichiswhywe partcipate and endorse the Sustainable Slopes Framework through the National Ski Area Association (NSAA) By embracing innovation, collaboration, and sound stewardshippractices,we'reworkingtoensurethatfuturegenerationscancontinue to enjoy the beauty and wonder of our Idaho wilderness. Together, we can protect our land, our community, and the spirit of adventure that defines Brundage Mountain.
TheEPACenterforCorporateClimateLeadershipofferscomprehensiveguidanceon developing greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, crucial for organizations aiming to manage GHG risks participate in GHG programs, or achieve recognition for sustainability efforts [8] Aligned with The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard, their guidance emphasizes foundational principles and provides specific methodologies for calculating GHG emissions The GHG inventory development process involves four key steps: reviewing accounting standards, collecting data, formalizingdatacollectionprocedures,andsettingemissionreductiontargets.Each stepisoutlinedwithdetailedinstructionsandresources,includingchaptersfromthe GHGProtocolCorporateStandardandEPAscomplementaryguidancedocuments.
TheGHGInventoryDevelopmentprocessconsistsoffourkeysteps[8]:
Review accounting standards and methods, determine organizational and operational boundaries, choose a base year, and consider third-party verification.
1. Identify data requirements, develop collection procedures and tools, compile facility data, estimate missing data, choose emission factors, and calculate emissions.
2 Formalize data collection procedures in a GHG Inventory Management Plan
4.
3. Set GHG emission reduction targets and track and report progress.
This report represents the completion of the GHG Inventory Development process Steps 1-3 andprovidesafoundationforfutureworktoreducegreenhousegasemissionsforBrundage
InventoryMethodology
UnderstandingaGreenhouseGasEmissionsInventory
To develop an accurate account of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, companies utilize specific methodologies tailored to different emission categories. The process begins with identifying GHG sources within organizational boundaries, including stationary combustion, mobile combustion, process emissions, and fugitive emissions [9] These sources cover various activities across industries, and the GHG Protocol calculation tools are structured accordingly. Companies first identify scope 1 emissions, involving direct emission sources, followed by scope 2 emissions, which are indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat, or steam The optional step of identifying scope 3 emissions extends the inventory boundary to include other indirect emissions from upstream and downstream activities, providing a comprehensive view of the organizations GHG footprint [9].
Methodologies for GHG inventory development involve selecting appropriate calculation approaches based on available data and context. Emission factors are commonly used to calculate emissions, relating GHG emissions to activity measures at emission sources. Companies collect activity data and choose emission factors, often relying on published or third-party sources for accuracy Calculation tools provided by the GHG Protocol Initiative offer sector-specific and cross-sector options, facilitating emissions calculations with step-bystep guidance and automated worksheets [9]. These tools ensure consistency and accuracy in GHG accounting, aiding companies in identifying significant emission sources and potential reduction opportunities throughout their value chain
Three greenhouse gases are included in this inventory: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) Many of the charts in this report represent emissions in “carbon dioxide equivalent” (CO2e) values, calculated using the Global Warming Potentials (GWP) for methane and nitrous oxide from the IPCC 6th Assessment Report.
GHGInventoryandEmissionsProtocolforCompanies
At Brundage, our commitment to environmental stewardship is paramount To ensure a comprehensive and accurate account of our GHG emissions, we have adopted a systematic approach by categorizing emissions into specific sectors, based on the GHG Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute (WRI). This methodology allows us to accurately calculate emissions from various sources, including stationary combustion from our heating equipment, mobile combustion from our vehicle fleet, process emissions from our snowmaking operations, and fugitive emissions from food and beverage outlets and rental retail By identifying these sources, we ensure that all direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2 and 3) emissions are accounted for, thus providing a holistic view of our environmental impact
Our inventory process begins with the identification of all emission sources within our resort boundaries This includes not only our stationary and mobile combustion sources but also emissions from our use of purchased electricity and other indirect activities We then apply industry-standard calculation tools and methodologies, such as those provided by the GHG Protocol Initiative. These tools, reviewed by experts and industry leaders, enable us to calculate our emissions with precision For instance, emissions from our ski lifts and snow grooming equipment are meticulously recorded and analyzed. By following this protocol, we aim to identify opportunities for significant GHG emission reductions, enhancing our sustainability efforts and contributing to the preservation of the beautiful Brundage environment
The company inventory in this report includes emissions from the various activities:
Use of electricity by the Resort buildings and facilities
Use of fuel in vehicle fleet, transit fleet, and facilities
On-road passenger employee commute
Use of energy in potable water and wastewater treatment and distribution
Water and wastewater treatment processes
Food and Beverage
Generation of solid waste by the Resort
Upstream activities
Resort operations fleet
QuantifyingGreenhouseGasEmissions
SourcesandActivities
Ski resorts, including Brundage, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in many ways Two central categorizations of emissions are used in the community inventory: 1) GHG emissions that are produced by “ sources ” located within the resort boundary, and 2) GHG emissions produced as a consequence of resort “activities.”
BaseYear
To effectively measure progress in reducing GHG emissions, Brundage Mountain Resort has established a base year against which future emissions will be compared The base year serves as a reference point for evaluating changes in emissions over time. For Brundage Mountain Resort, the base year chosen is FY 2022-2023. This year was selected based on the availability of reliable data and the stability of operations, providing a consistent benchmark for future comparisons
To accurately quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at Brundage Mountain Resort, we categorize emissions into several key sources and activities These include:
Table1:Sourcevs.Activity ExampleswithDefinitions
Combustonoffuelsinstationaryequipment;operatonof heatingsystemsforbuildingandfaclities
Combustonoffuelsintransportationdevices
Useofsnowcat operationofsnowmobilesandUTVS, resortshuttles trucksforoperationalsupport
ProcessEmissions Snowmakingequipmentusage
Fue combustioningeneratorsforliftsandsnowmaking
FugitiveEmissions Fuesfromrefrigeration
Emissionsfromairconditioningservces
IndirectEmissions
Consumptionofpurchasedelectricityforlifts lighting,and heatingsystems
Electricityuseinlodge restaurants shops
Combustionoffuelsinstationaryequipment
Combustionoffuelsintransportation
Emissionsfromphysicalorchemical processes
Intentionalandunintentionalreeasesfrom equipmentandprocesses
Emissionsresultingfromtheconsumptionof purchasedelectricity heat orsteam
QuantificationMethods
GHG emissions can be quantified in two main methods:
Measurement-based Methodologies: This involves directly measuring emissions using monitoring systems It is used for sources like power plants, industrial facilities, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. Instruments such as gas analyzers measure the concentration and flow rate of emissions.
Calculation-based Methodologies: This method calculates emissions using activity data and emission factors.
Activity Data: Quantitative data such as fuel consumption, electricity use, or production output
Emission Factors: Specific values that estimate the GHG emissions per unit of activity.
These methodologies provide essential data for GHG inventories and help in formulating emission reduction strategies.
The basic formula is:
total resort emissions for the FY 22-23 inventory are shown in Table 2 and Figure 7.
*Blankcelsarearesultofvariabilityintheformatofavailabledatabysectorandfue orsourcetype **TheTranstFleetisOwnedandOperatedbyMountainCommunity/TreasureValleyTransitnotBrundageMountainResort BrundageMountainResort doespartiallyfundtransitoperations.
EmployeeCommute(613%)
Building&Facilities(20.8%)
Transportation&MobileServices(8.12%)
VehicleFleet(791%)
Water&Wastewater(424%)
Process&FugitiveEmissions(364%)
SolidWaste(22%)
Figure5:Resort-WideEmissionsbySector
Figure5showsthedistributionofresort-wideemissionsbysector.Transportationis thelargestcontributor,followedbyBuilding&FacilitiesEnergy-Use.
ComparisonDiscussionBetweenBrundage andOtherResorts
BrundageMountainResortisengagedinseveralsustainabilityinitiatives,suchasreusingdieselandmotoroil,conserving Whitebarkpine,promotingride-sharingandshuttleservices,convertingfluorescentlightstoLEDs,andinstallingwaterbottlefilling stations Additionally,theresortuseseco-friendlywaxwithoutHFCsandemploysRFIDticketstoreducewastebyreusingmedia Whiletheseeffortsdemonstrateacommitmenttosustainability,thereareareaswhereBrundage'sinitiativesdonotmeasureupto themorecomprehensiveprogramsatsomeotherskiresorts.
BogusBasin:
BogusBasinhasbeenpurchasing100%renewableenergyforthreeyears,significantlyreducingitscarbonfootprint Theresorts recyclingeffortsincludereusingmotoroiltoheatfacilities,recyclingsteelandaluminum,andminimizingwasteinfoodand beverageoperations BogusBasinalsoengagesinhabitatrestorationprojectsandprovidespublictransportationandcarpooling initiatives.Theresort'sfocusonrenewableenergyandlarge-scalerecyclingprojectsshowcasesamoreextensivecommitmentto sustainabilitycomparedtoBrundagescurrentefforts.
Snowbird:
Snowbird’s"PlayForever"programisaholisticsustainabilityinitiativethatcoversenvironmentalstewardship,communitysupport, andoperationalimprovements.Snowbirdhasmadesubstantialprogressinwastereduction,includingdiverting350,000poundsof compostfromlandfillsandrecycling330,000poundsofglass TheresorthasalsosignificantlyreducedCO2emissionsthroughits powersystemsandengagesincommunitysupportthroughfinancialdonationsandpartnerships.Snowbird'sintegratedapproach tosustainability,whichincludesbothenvironmentalandsocialdimensions,highlightsamorecomprehensiveandimpactful strategythanBrundage'scurrentinitiatives.
PowderhornMountainResort:
Powderhorn’ssustainabilityeffortsincludeahighlyenergy-efficientgravity-fedsnowmakingsystem,waterbottlefillingstations, andextensiverecyclingprograms Theresortpromotesride-sharingamongemployeesandusesbiodegradablepackaging Powderhorn'sparticipationintheNSAAClimateChallengedemonstratesitscommitmenttomeasuringandreducingitscarbon footprintwhilepromotingsustainableoperations Theresort'sadvancedsnowmakingsystemandbroaderwastereduction strategiessurpasstheinitiativescurrentlyimplementedatBrundage.
WolfCreekSkiArea:
WolfCreekemphasizesrenewableenergyandwaterconservation.Theresortpurchases100%ofitspowerfromwindenergy sourcesanduseswater-freerestroomstoconservewater WolfCreekalsoconductsextensivewaterqualityresearchanduses biodegradablehydraulicoils.Theircomprehensiverecyclingprogramscoverawiderangeofmaterials,andtheresortsupports carpoolingwithbusservicesforemployees WolfCreek'sadvancedrenewableenergyuseandextensiveconservationefforts highlightastrongercommitmenttoenvironmentalsustainabilitycomparedtoBrundage.
AreasforImprovementforBrundage’s SustainabilityEfforts
Areas for Improvement
Brundage Mountain Resort could enhance its sustainability efforts in the following ways to better compare with other leading resorts:
Renewable Energy: 1.
Unlike Bogus Basin and Wolf Creek, Brundage has not yet committed to using 100% renewable energy. Implementing renewable energy sources could significantly reduce the resort's carbon footprint.
Comprehensive Recycling Programs: 2.
Expanding recycling programs to include more materials and adopting large-scale recycling efforts like those at Bogus Basin and Snowbird could improve Brundage’s waste management.
Water Conservation: 3.
Implementing advanced water conservation measures, such as water-free restrooms and comprehensive water quality monitoring like those at Wolf Creek, would enhance Brundage’s sustainability efforts
Community Engagement: 4.
Developing a more integrated community support program similar to Snowbird's "Play Forever" initiative could strengthen Brundage’s social sustainability impact
Energy-Efficient Systems: 5.
Investing in advanced snowmaking systems and other energy-efficient technologies, as seen at Powderhorn, could further reduce energy consumption and operational costs.
By addressing these areas, Brundage Mountain Resort can elevate its sustainability initiatives to match the comprehensive and impactful programs of other leading ski resorts.
CertifiedWhitebarkPine-Friendly SkiArea
Brundage Mountain Resort is certified as a Whitebark Pine Friendly Ski Area’ by the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation. Our resort hosts a thriving population of Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), which is among the top 25% genetically resistant to white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola). This high genetic resistance underscores the importance of conserving future seed crops and cone-producing trees. We actively support Whitebark pine restoration efforts, collaborating with the US Forest Service (USFS) and the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation to reduce fire danger, manage competition around mature trees, and preserve those affected by blister rust Our initiatives include the collection of seeds from resistant trees and planting them in minimally impacted habitats to ensure their continued survival and growth
NextStepsforBrundage
The inventory should be used to focus and prioritize actions to reduce emissions and inform the future Climate Action Plan for Brundage Mountain Resort Based on the inventory results, the following areas have the greatest potential for emissions reduction at the resort level:
Energy Consumption in Buildings: 1.
Lodges and Facilities: Implement energy efficiency measures in lodges, rental shops, and other resort facilities. This includes upgrading insulation, optimizing heating systems, and installing energy-efficient lighting.
Snowmaking Operations: Optimize snowmaking equipment to reduce energy consumption, considering energy-efficient snow guns and weather-responsive operation schedules
2.
Transportation:
3.
4.
Guest and Employee Travel: Encourage carpooling, improve shuttle services, and promote the use of electric vehicles by installing charging stations.
On-Site Transportation: Transition resort-owned vehicles to electric or hybrid options and optimize fuel usage for snow grooming equipment.
Waste Management:
Reduce and Recycle: Build recycling programs and reduce waste generation through composting and waste diversion initiatives
Sustainable Procurement: Source sustainable and low-emission products for resort operations
Renewable Energy Adoption:
Solar, Wind, and Geothermal Power: Invest in renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal energy production to power resort operations and reduce reliance on grid electricity.
Completion of another GHG inventory every two to five years is recommended to assess progress resulting from any actions implemented The detailed methodology section of this report, as well as notes and attached data files in the ClearPath Climate Planner tool and a master data Excel file provided to Brundage Mountain Resort, will be helpful to complete a future inventory consistent with this one. This continuous evaluation will ensure that the resort remains on track with its emissions reduction goals and can adapt strategies as needed.
NextSteps-BrundageOperations
The inventory should be used to focus and prioritize actions to reduce emissions and inform Brundage Mountain Resorts Climate Action Plan strategies for emissionsreduction.Basedontheinventoryresults,thefollowingareashavethegreatestpotentialforemissionsreduction:
BuildingsandFacilities:1.
Energy Conversion: Convert existing resort buildings from natural gas to electricity and analyze on-site renewable energy potential, including optionsforRenewableEnergyCertificates(RECs).
Efficiency Upgrades: Implement energy efficient upgrades such as improved insulation advanced heating systems and energy saving
Conclusion
CompletingtheGreenhouseGasInventoryisacriticalmilestoneforBrundageMountainResort,markingthebeginningofour dedicatedjourneytowardclimateactionandsustainability Thisinventoryprovidesaclearunderstandingofourcurrent emissionsandhighlightskeyareaswherewecanmakesignificantimprovements.Bytakingdeliberateandproactivesteps toreduceourcarbonfootprint,wenotonlyenhancetheresilienceofourresortbutalsocontributepositivelytotheglobal fightagainstclimatechange.
Climateactionisnotjustaresponsibilitybutanecessitytoensurethatfuturegenerationscanenjoythepristinebeautyand outdooradventuresthatBrundageMountainoffers.Ourcommitmenttosustainabilityisacommitmenttopreservingthe naturalenvironmentthatformsthefoundationofourresortandtheexperiencesweprovide.Asstewardsofthisincredible landscape,wehaveadutytoprotectandenhanceitforthosewhocomeafterus.
Byembracingsustainablepractices,investinginrenewableenergy,andcontinuouslyimprovingourenvironmentalimpact, BrundageMountainResortaimstosetabenchmarkforresponsibletourism.Together,wecancreatealegacyof environmentalstewardship,ensuringthatourbelovedoutdoorspacesremainvibrantandaccessibleforgenerationsto come.Letusembarkonthisjourneywithdedicationandasharedvisionforasustainablefuture,leavingapositiveimpact onourplanetandabetterworldforthosewhowillfollowinourfootsteps.
BrundageEmissionsinConcreteTerms
Employee Commute
6,695,712 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered vehicle
294,588 gallons of gasoline consumed 517 homes’ electricity use for one year
Buildings & Facilities
979,746 pounds of coal burned
40,840 cylinders used for home barbeques
116 homes energy use for one year
Vehicle Fleet
846,555 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered vehicle
32,515 gallons of diesel consumed
Water & Wastewater Treatment Facilities
20,029 gallons of gasoline consumed
196,170 pounds of coal burned
Process and Fugitive Emissions
302 homes electricity use for one year
36.4 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year
Solid Waste Facilities
101,391 pounds of coal burned
6,073,535 number of smartphones charged 10,352 gallons of gasoline consumed
Brundages FY 22-23 GHGI highlights the significant environmental impact of its operations From employee commutes to vehicle fleet usage and building energy consumption, its clear that our activities contribute notably to greenhouse gas emissions.
Resort-Wide
ResidentialElectricity
AppendixA:MethodologyDetails
CommercialElectricity
ResidentialNon-Utility
CommercialNon-Utility
IdahoPower
IdahoPower DylanMartin
BrundageMountainResort GeneralManagement& FacilitiesDepartment
EIAStateProfilesandEnergy Estimates,USCensusBureau
Residentialconstructionwillcommence 2024
Thisrecordiscomprisedofenergy usagedataatallBrundageoutlets, buildings,andfacilities,including DowntownRetail,ActivityBarn,&allski lifts.
Residentialconstructionwillcommence in2024.
FarmersSupplyCo-op
AllaccountsunderFarmersSupply CoopforBrundageFY22-23. Identificationoftanklocations forthcoming Needtomeasure locationsfornextinventorytofindany potentialleaks.
IdahoPowerdidnot separatelyreportCH4 andN2Oemissions factorsfor2021-eGrid emissionsfactorswere used
Table 3: Energy Data Sources
Table 4: Idaho Power and eGrid NWPP Emissions Factors for Electricity Consumption
Transportation
Table5:TransportationDataSources
Activity
DataSource
Public Transportation Mountain Community Transit N/A
DataGaps/Assumptions
Employee Commute
Vehicle Fleet- Gasoline
Staff Self-Reported Survey, N= 66
Employee commute emissions were calculated based on self-reported commute mileage and vehicle on a per employee level. Emissions factors were assigned based on Table 9
Link to Employee Commuter Spreadsheet Data: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:efe934f2-3a5c-4545822b-80d57d8b3361
Link to Employee Commuter Survey: https://formsofficecom/r/1mfKZHgM7q
Vehicle Fleet- Diesel
Based on Annual Gallons
Purchased/paid for per Chief
Financial Officer (See "Fuels Usage 2223xlsx")
Vehicle proportions based on List of Vehicle Fleet Assets for 2022 per
Vehicle Maintenance Department.
Calculation-based method used. Future Fleet Inventory should use DeptDept actual usage/vehicle/mileage per fueling billing report
If pursuing Dept-Dept breakdown for 22/23, mark this record as "Information ONLY" at top right
**Stationary Fuel Combustion**
Based on Annual Gallons
Purchased/paid for per Chief
Financial Officer (See "Fuels Usage 22.23.xlsx")
Vehicle proportions based on List of Vehicle Fleet Assets for 2022 per
Vehicle Maintenance Department
Calculation-based method used. Future Fleet Inventory should use DeptDept actual usage/vehicle/mileage per fueling billing report
If pursuing Dept-Dept breakdown for 22/23, mark this record as "Information ONLY" at top right
Any gasoline/diesel utilized in OHVs or utility tools (chainsaws, generators, backup power for lifts) included in fleet fuel use due to lack of tracked data using same fuel pumps Opportunity for improvement possible
Transportation
For vehicle transportation, it is necessary to apply average miles per gallon and emissions factorsforCH4andN2Otoeachvehicletype.ThefactorsusedareshowninTable5.
Table 6: MPG and Emissions Factors by Vehicle Type
Table7:WastewaterDataSources
SepticSystem
Calculationofaveragepopulationserved
AverageguestsforFY22-23=150000.Thisnumberwas dividedbythe134daysofthewinterseason Then350 employeeswereaddedtothefinalnumber 1,119.4+350=1,469.4
TonnagenotavailableonMeckelinvoices-exceptforasmall amountofinvoiceswhereithadaccuratedataforweight
AssumptionbasedonDailySepticSystem BOD5Load(kg/day)=132.21;CH4 EmissionsFactor0048213MTCH$/dailykg BOD5
ProcessandFugitiveEmissions
FoodandBeverage
BrundageMountainResort--Foodand BeverageDepartmentmenus
DataGaps/Assumptions
Recipeswerenotprovidedbyeachrestaurant Tohelpaccountforthis,similar recipeswerefoundonlineandlinkednexttoeachCO2amountonthe spreadsheet IngredientswerethenputintotheFloopapptohelptrackthe equivalentcarbonemissionsforeachoverallrecipe OriginalvaluefromFloop: 45622.67lbsCO2.
RentalandRetail
BrundageMountainResortFinance Department--SiriuswareProfitand Loss(P&L)&CostofGoodsSold (COGS)Report
TheBrundageRetailInventorycaptureseveryitemsoldaswellastotal receiptsforeachitem.Whilethisisahelpfulaccountthatcouldbeusedata latertimetocalculatetotalemissions currentresearchandtoolsfortextile andretailemissionsremainunder-researchedandinaccurateatbestfor small-scaleretailers(asdetailedbelow).Assuch,werecommend maintainingarecordofallinventory,inquiringaboutsustainabilityeffortswith suppliersandpartofthepurchasingprocess,andfocusingonreducing redundanciesinstockwherepossible.
InventoryCalculations
The FY 2022-2023 inventory was calculated following the US Local Government Protocol as a proxy for an organizational boundary courtesy of the City of McCall Community Development Department with ICLEI’s ClearPath Climate Planner software. As discussed in Inventory Methodology, the IPCC 6th Assessment was used for global warming potential (GWP) values to convert methane and nitrous oxide to CO2 equivalent units. ClearPath Climate Planner Climate Planner’s inventory calculators allow for input of the sector activity (i.e. kWh or VMT) and emission factor to calculate the final carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions.
Brundage Mountain collaborated with the City of McCall with graduate students attending Western Colorado University to complete the Process and Fugitive Emissions from the Food and Beverage Department product upstream emissions The full report on this sector methodology is available upon request.
