"Part of a government's job is to lead," said Councilwoman Liza Simpson, explaining that conservation is well within the purview of government.

In the short term, the ski town is hoping to create a wind farm on top of Quinn's Junction, near a planned hospital and housing project. The Board of Adjustment approved two towers to be used for testing this week.

"It's groovy," said Williams, who has made sustainability a hallmark of his administration.

Park City created a special office for sustainability about 18 months ago. Under the umbrella of the planning department, the sustainability staffers look at everything from open space to environmental consciousness to housing and culture.

"It's incumbent upon us (to be sustainable)," Williams said. "Our job is to be the voice for what the majority of the community wants. ... What is fundamentally different in Park City is that the economy is a function of the environment."

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E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com