Ipsum suspendisse vestibulum accumsan vestibulum varius elit. Curabitur consectetur placerat quam, dignissim porttitor turpis blandit a. Nullam tempor varius mauris, dictum blandit nunc. Euismod congue quisque nam, facilisi congue.
Ski Vermont President Molly Mahar traveled to Washington DC in early March to participate in Ceres LEAD on a Clean Economy 2025 along with representatives from more than 80 other companies and trade groups. LEAD, or Lawmaker Education and Advocacy Days, is an annual event that brings businesses to Capitol Hill to advocate for climate solutions. This year’s participating companies generate $750 billion in annual revenues and employ nearly a million Americans.
With the dramatic shift on climate policy in Washington, this year’s LEAD came at a critical time as Congress worked on the budget reconciliation and tax policy. Along with Ski Vermont, the National Ski Areas Association, other state ski associations, representatives from Vail Resorts, Alterra, and Boyne Resorts and several ski areas formed a ski cohort advocating for the continuation of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) clean energy and electric vehicle tax credits. Over two days, the ski industry group met with members or the offices of Representatives Becca Balint (D-VT), Ben Cline (R-VA), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Blake Moore (R-UT), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mike Simpson (R-ID), and Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Peter Welch (D-VT).
"Businesses across industries and states recognize that federal clean economy incentives are driving investment and delivering widespread benefits — revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and lowering costs for businesses and families,” said Zach Friedman, senior director, federal policy, Ceres. “Clean energy tax credits have a long history of bipartisan support, and the long-term certainty they provide are necessary to meeting rising energy demand while keeping rates low, creating new jobs, and bolstering domestic supply chains — ensuring American industry thrives and outcompetes China. At this pivotal moment for U.S. energy and tax policy, we appreciate the commitment to preserving these essential incentives.”
For Democrats the message was one of thanks for their leadership on climate and asking them to keep fighting to continue these important IRA tax incentives. The message for Republicans was that clean energy is an important part of the solution to America’s increasing future energy demands that will help our country compete internationally and keep costs down. Following the LEAD visits, Politico reported that 21 Republicans, including some the ski group had met with, had signed a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson in support of the clean energy tax credits because the incentives benefit their states.
"Vermont’s ski industry has a decades-long history on the forefront of efficiency and sustainable practices, but climate issues can’t be solved solely at the state level,” says Molly Mahar, President of Ski Vermont. “There are also business interests to consider with this effort and aligning with industries nationwide shows we aren’t alone in that sentiment. This isn’t a single-issue effort, but like the other LEAD members, Ski Vermont is committed to combatting climate change and protecting the future of the state’s ski industry.”
