Ski resorts in Vermont are upgrading their snowmaking equipment with help from a statewide energy efficiency program.
Efficiency Vermont is offering rebates from $500 up to $4,000 in a snow gun exchange program.
Jim Merriam, executive director of Efficiency Vermont, tells Vermont Public Radio nearly every resort in the state is taking part in what he believes is a first-of-its-kind program. Resorts trade in four older snow guns for every five new ones they buy.
Merriam says they hope to replace between 2,000 and 3,000 older snow guns with ones that are 85 percent to 90 percent more efficient and save utility costs. The old ones will be scrapped and proceeds would be donated to the Vermont Ski Areas Association's Learn to Ski and Ride programs.
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