The counter here is that oftentimes, snow melting systems like in the OP use waste heat that would otherwise get sent into the atmosphere or a lake. There is no power being generated specifically for melting snow. Using waste energy could be seen as a “free” way to melt the snow.
The counter here is that oftentimes, snow melting systems like in the OP use waste heat that would otherwise get sent into the atmosphere or a lake. There is no power being generated specifically for melting snow. Using waste energy could be seen as a “free” way to melt the snow.