HANCOCK, Massachusetts — You can “name that tune,” and “name your own price,” but now the public has a chance to “name that turbine.” When Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Western Massachusetts makes ski industry history this summer with North America’s first ski area wind turbine, they’re hoping to have a new name for their new $3.9 million GE wind turbine.

The 378-ft. tall turbine actually has a model number ??“ 1.5sle ??“ but the marketing folks at Jiminy felt a technical name full of numbers and letters didn’t quite convey a sense of excitement, nor promised to stimulate schoolchildren to learn more about the potential of wind energy.The new one- to three-word name being sought by Jiminy has to be catchy, memorable and creative. A nickname, perhaps, like “Lady Liberty.”

The individual who comes up with the winning name will receive a 2007-08 season’s ski/snowboard pass to Jiminy Peak, a pewter model of the wind turbine, and VIP treatment at the wind turbine dedication, tentatively set for “Windsday,” Aug. 15, 2007.

Name That Turbine contest judges will be:

• Former Madison Avenue executive Chuck Mascola, president of Jiminy’s ad agency, Mascola Advertising, New Haven, Conn.
• William Moomaw, Professor of International
• environmental Policy and Director of the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, Tufts University
• Michael Supranowicz, President, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
• Mary Ellen Donna, Principal, Hancock Elementary School

To enter, log onto www.jiminypeak.com and submit your suggested name. Or fill out a paper entry ballot in the lobby of the resort’s Country Inn ??“ look for the six-foot tall turbine replica. The winning name will be announced on June 13 in nearby Pittsfield, Mass., to the 400 people attending the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Good News Business Salute breakfast.

Once in place, Jiminy’s wind turbine will generate 1.5 megawatts of energy ??“ about 33 percent of the total electricity consumption of the resort or enough to light up the TVs, DVDs, microwaves and refrigerators in 613 homes for a year.

By using the wind turbine, and introducing other energy conservation efforts at the resort, Jiminy expects to reduce its energy dependence by almost 50 percent on the first day the turbine is turned on. The wind turbine is expected to pay for itself within seven years, according Jiminy’s Brian Fairbank, president and CEO.

“Put on your thinking caps. Give it your best shot. We need a name for what promises to be our homegrown, yet hopefully trend-setting effort to conserve non-renewable resources and maintain the health of the planet,” said Fairbank.

For more information on Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, log onto www.jiminypeak.com.