Just In! for April 8, 2023

The weekly newsletter of the New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO)

Just In! is NY-GEO's weekly news feed for members. NY-GEO's calendar-year memberships are open to everyone and available for as little as $35. See more information on memberships here. If we send you a complementary copy and you're not a member of NY-GEO, it means we value your role in the transition to renewable heating, but without a membership, please don't count on getting Just In! weekly.

Week’s Top Story: Humans 1 - Fossil Fuel Interests 0 – For Now – In a dramatic turn of events, New York’s climate movement has reversed a massively funded move by special interests that would prolong fossil fuels as NY’s primary source of energy. NY Senate bill S6030, which substantially shrinks the scope of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions NY needs to reduce under its Climate Act, was introduced on March 27^th. Four days later, the Assembly version of the bill was filed. On April 3^rd, the USA TODAY network published an Op Ed from top Hochul administration energy officials, essentially signaling the Governor’s endorsement of including the provisions of S6030 in New York’s soon to be adopted budget.  As word of S6030 spread, a wide range of organizations mobilized and united while key elected officials, including the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, stepped forward to oppose the measure. On April 5^th, after meeting with the Governor, the same administration officials declared to reporters that revising New York’s GHG accounting standard would not be a priority in budget negotiations. This move was greeted as an important victory by climate organizers, but they remain on alert as several important climate measures hang in the balance as ongoing budget negotiations continue. It is also unclear how efforts to weaken the Climate Law will play out as the legislative session extends through to June, after the budget is adopted. The issues and actions around this development are too complex to cover fully here, but the 10-day saga may have best been summarized in a tweet from Climate Action Council member Bob Howarth: “It is truly impressive how many people responded on pretty short notice to defend our NY climate law! Makes me proud to be a New Yorker.”  Just In! has compiled a linked listing of articles, actions, tweets, videos, responses and analyses of this important story here.  This list is not strictly ordered.

Seven Villages Sign on for GridRewards Challenge – Kris DiLorenzo - The Rivertowns Enterprise - Mayors in Westchester County Rivertowns engage in friendly competition; encouraging residents to sign up for Sustainable Westchester’s GridRewards to illustrate the importance of collective action when it comes to energy reduction and demand response. 97% of GridRewards participants got paid last year. GridRewards website here.

Global Heat Pump Sales Continue Double-Digit Growth – Yannick Monschauer, Chiara Delmastro, Rafael Martinez-Gordon - International Energy Agency (IEA) – “Global sales of heat pumps grew by 11% in 2022, according to the latest IEA analysis, marking a second year of double-digit growth for the central technology in the world’s transition to secure and sustainable heating. Increased policy support and incentives for heat pumps in light of high natural gas prices and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were key drivers behind the strong uptake. In Europe, heat pumps enjoyed a record year, with sales growing by nearly 40%...Globally, heat pumps, when used as a main heating device, cover around 10% of heating needs in buildings today. This corresponds to over 100 million households” Thanks to NY-GEO member Bob Wyman for this tip. Article link here.

Con Ed’s Revamped SmartCharge Program Accesses EVs Directly – Jeff St. John – Canary Media – “This new version of SmartCharge New York, launched by utility parent company Consolidated Edison and its tech partner ev.energy, is notable because it will be one of the largest “managed-charging” programs in the country powered by telematics — the onboard computers and communications tech inside EVs. That means that instead of relying on an EV charger or custom hardware to monitor and reward drivers for not charging during hours of peak power-grid stress, it will tap technology that’s already built in to the EVs themselves… SmartCharge New York participants can expect to earn about $400 per year on average, according to the program’s incentive calculator.”  Article link here.

Wind Power Added Capacity In 2022 – Maria Galucci and Maria Virginia Olano – Canary Media – “The world added nearly 78,000 megawatts of wind power projects in 2022, marking the industry’s third-best year for new capacity — but representing a sizable drop from the previous year’s installations.  Supply-chain constraints, inflation and market uncertainty contributed to the decrease. However, global wind power capacity still inched closer to the 1-terawatt milestone.” Full story here.

What’s The Future of Gas Stations In An EV World? – Dan Gearino – Inside Climate News – A new forecast says the number of public fast-charging ports for electric vehicles will increase by 60-fold between 2022 and 2050 in the U.S. and Canada. Real estate (existing gas stations/convenience stores may be prime locations), grid capacity, and user profiles are key factors. The two main user categories could be people on long trips and those who don’t have access to charging at home or work. Full story here.

New CO₂ Removal Plant Needs Customers – Maria Galucci – Canary Media - The “direct air capture” (DAC) facility near Denver CO is venting captured CO₂ until it can find an “off taker” for the CO₂. The U.S. is poised to pump billions of dollars into DAC, and private investment in carbon-removal technology is skyrocketing. However, DAC is extremely energy-intensive and highly expensive to operate. DAC has a role to play, but scientists have stressed that methods such as DAC are “futile” without radical and immediate cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Full story here

2023 RHN Legislative and Budget Agenda - The Renewable Heat Now Campaign (RHN) is organizing to win funding and policies that will move fossil fuels out of our buildings affordably and equitably. The legislative package includes the All-Electric New Building Act (S00562-A/A00920-A - Kavanaugh/Gallagher) that would sunset fossil fuels in new construction starting January 1, 2024. It also includes the NY Home Energy Equitable Transition (HEAT) Act – (S2016/A4592 – Krueger/Fahy) and the Energy Efficiency, Equity and Jobs Act (S3126c/A3996c – Parker/Hunter). In addition, RHN has also released an agenda for the NYS budget, which is currently being negotiated by the Governor and the Legislature. See more on the Renewable Heat Now Legislative Package here.

Contractors Corner:

NY Communities Eligible for an Extra 10% Tax Credit on Commercial Geo and Solar Projects – John Engel - Renewable Energy World - The Biden administration has released highly-anticipated eligibility requirements for a bonus credit in the Inflation Reduction Act that incentivizes clean energy development in so-called energy communities. The credit of up to 10% is an adder to the Investment Tax Credit or Production Tax Credit for clean energy or energy storage project development. The Internal Revenue Service issued a notice on April 4 that defined three categories of energy communities: 1) a brownfield site, 2) a community that has or had at least 0.17% direct fossil fuel employment or at least 25% local tax revenues from fossil fuels and an unemployment rate at or above the national average, 3) a community in which a coal (plant) closed after Dec. 31, 2009.  Thanks to Keith Martin of Norton Rose Fullbright for this tip. Article link here.

Web page for this map – click here

Are You Smarter Than ChatGPT When It Comes to Building Science? - Cory Allyn – Energy Circle - “We’ll be talking a lot more about (artificial intelligence) AI and the ways that it may or may not be used by insulation, HVAC, and solar contractors. But first, we wanted to see exactly how ‘smart’ chatbots are.” This article poses field tech questions to Chat GPT with a panel of experts reviewing the answers. Article link here.

NY-GEO Member Map-Here's the map we refer folks to when we get requests for services or interest in a geothermal install.

Click here or on the image above to see the live version of the map

Climate Updates:

The US is Earth’s Punching Bag for Nasty Weather - Seth Borenstein – Associated Press – “Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Flash floods. Droughts. Wildfires. Blizzards. Ice storms. Nor’easters. Lake-effect snow. Heat waves. Severe thunderstorms. Hail. Lightning. Atmospheric rivers. Derechos. Dust storms. Monsoons. Bomb cyclones. And the dreaded polar vortex.” This paragraph is part of an insightful article on how the US geography, coupled with a warming climate, drives weather catastrophes. Article link here.

South Pole to Planet Earth: Drop Dead. – Bill McKibben – The Crucial Years - A new study shows that "melting ice around Antarctica will cause a rapid slowdown of a major global deep ocean current by 2050 that could alter the world’s climate for centuries and accelerate sea level rise. If greenhouse gas emissions continue at today’s levels, the current in the deepest parts of the ocean could slow down by 40% in only three decades. This, the scientists said, could generate a cascade of impacts that could push up sea levels, alter weather patterns and starve marine life of a vital source of nutrients.” Article link here.

Frequent Sources for Just In! briefs:

Green Energy Times

City & State First Read

POLITICO Weekly NY & NJ Energy email)

Canary Media

National Building Electrification Network & Sunstone Strategies



Just in! thanks NY-GEO board member John Ciovacco of Aztech Geothermal for his frequent proofreading contributions to this publication and Paul Maliszewski for his work on the briefs.

EVENTS:

*Indicates a New Listing or Updated Information

2023 04 26-27 – Conference Registration Is OPEN - NY-GEO’s annual conference brings together the best of the best in the geothermal heat pump industry. The conference will be hosted at the Albany Marriott and will include dynamic Main Stage presenters, educational breakout sessions, dynamic exhibitors showcasing equipment and information, along with plenty of time to mix, mingle and connect. To register and learn more, click here. 

*2023 04 11 - GHG Reduction Fund – 1:30-3:00 pm ET - Hear from experts on the updated parameters of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund as well as how it may affect your community. We will discuss green financing as a tool to leverage project funding and ways to potentially engage in funding opportunities in your state. Lastly, we will share opportunities for advocacy and ways to provide feedback to the EPA about the implementation of this fund. Register here.

*2023 04 11 - How the Legislature Works – 6:00 pm ET – from NY Renews - Join us as we dive into the inside baseball of Albany! Our panelists will discuss the legislative process or the “how” and “why” of legislative decisions and their influences. As the budget process and session continue, we will be assessing the broad suite of issues we are seeing this session, and what we can expect going forwards as we continue our efforts to make legislative history! Moderator: Katherine Nadeau, Executive Director at Catskill Mountain Keeper and NY Renews Steering Committee member Panelists: Blair Horner, Executive Director at New York Public Interest Research Group Elizabeth Moran, Policy Advocate at Earth Justice Northeast Office. This is a 2 part series and the 2nd part will run *2023 04 12 at noon ET. Register here.

*2023 04 12 – Demand Response Webinar for Businesses, Nonprofits and Houses of Worship with Con Ed Utility in Westchester & NYC – 12:00-12:30 pm ET – “Join Nonprofit Westchester and the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce for a webinar about Sustainable Westchester's GridRewards by Logical Buildings, a tool that can pay your business to reduce electricity usage at key times.  On average, buildings use 10% less energy to lower utility costs by 15% with Logical Buildings.  Commercial and multifamily properties paying a Con Edison utility bill can participate.  Municipalities with NYPA power can also participate. Learn how to enroll your buildings, reduce energy costs and prevent pollution.” Registration link here. 

*2023 04 12 - Funding equitable building electrification in the US – 2:00 pm ET - How local governments are using federal funding to decarbonize buildings in underserved communities - While most building electrification policies so far have focused on new construction, more local governments and advocates are looking at how to electrify existing buildings. This is critical work so that everyone in our communities gets the health and safety benefits of decarbonization and so we can lower our emissions from buildings, which are the largest source of greenhouse gasses in North America. One of the biggest challenges is how to fund home retrofits for people with low and lower incomes and for people who rent their homes. Register here.

2023 04 13 - Renewable Heat Now Power Hour – 7:00-8:00 pm ET – Renewable Heat Now (RHN) is organizing intensively for a package of NY legislature bills designed to aid NY’s transition to clean, fossil-fuel free heating. Join RHN for its monthly strategy meeting designed to inspire and inform. Register here.

*2023 04 18 - Pulling Back the Curtain: The Strategy, Tactics and Tools of Canada’s Fossil Fuel Greenwashing – 1:00-2:15 pm ET - “Re.Climate’s expert panel will pull back the curtain and examine the strategies, tactics and tools of greenwashing Canada's fossil fuel corporations. Join us for an information-packed webinar featuring findings from a recent report followed by a panel discussion with leading climate disinformation researchers.” Register here.

2023 06 08 – Clean Heat Program Stakeholders Meeting – 9:00-10:00 am ET - The NYS Clean Heat Utility Joint Management Committee (JMC) will host the next quarterly meeting of the Working Group Series for Participating Contractors and Industry Partners. This series is billed as an ongoing platform for contractors and industry partners affiliated with NYS Clean Heat to discuss program improvements and address questions related to the program. Registration link here.



Can You Find Your Picture from NY-GEO 2022? – Over 1,000 pictures from NY-GEO’s annual conference have made it to the web. See if you can find yourself among the 450 who took part in this groundbreaking event that annually celebrates and advances the most efficient and economical way to heat and cool our homes and places of work. Check out these pictures shot by Rachel Collett and John Ciovacco. Here’s Day 1 and here’s Day 2

List of Climate Tech Job Boards - Elaine Reddy – Ad Hoc Group – The Ad Hoc Group has put together a list of 27 climate tech related job boards.

Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) seeks:

- an Outreach Manager to develop outreach strategies for the newly created Central New York Clean Energy Hub, which will connect people to the clean energy economy and its benefits, including clean energy careers, improved energy affordability, home improvements, and rebates for businesses and transportation. The Outreach Manager will be managing a 4-person outreach team and coordinating all aspects of outreach to community members throughout the Central New York Region.

- four Energy Advisors for the CNY Clean Energy Hub to reach diverse communities throughout CNY with Hub materials, workshops, and energy affordability/clean energy opportunities.

- a Regulatory Attorney/Regulatory Advocate to spearhead our work in utility rate cases and regulatory proceedings in New York State advancing building electrification, ending our dependence on methane gas, increasing energy efficiency, energy affordability, and renewable energy generation, and preventing false solutions from capturing public funding.

- a Communications Director to build a public face for AGREE in our local Central New York community as well as across the state in order to support ongoing campaigns, respond to real-time developments and policy emergencies, and strategically raise AGREE’s profile and increase our constituent base.

(listed January 14, 2023) The postings are available here.



PWGC Environmental Engineers, Bohemia, NY - Geothermal Engineer – PWGC, a multi-year award-winning environmental engineering firm seeks an experienced professional engineer for closed loop geothermal projects in the downstate New York area. Expert knowledge of commercial building sciences, mechanical system design, conventional HVAC, heat pump technologies, building automation and energy modeling applications. This position requires 5-10 years related experience, bachelor’s degree in civil, mechanical or chemical engineering and a PE License. Advanced knowledge of CAD 3D and 4D software and REVIT. Interested? Send your resume to hr@pwgrosser.com or apply on our website at pwgrosser.com/careers 

PUSH Policy Coordinator - People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH Buffalo) seeks a Policy Coordinator to support the work of the Policy & Strategy department, with a focus on local, state, and regional climate and environmental justice policies in the areas of transportation electrification, power generation, building decarbonization, and equitable investment. (listed 2022 08 27) The posting is available here



Sustainable Westchester - Clean Energy Associate, EnergySmart Homes. (Location: Mount Kisco, NY) - The Community Energy Advisor (CEA) is a full time position at Sustainable Westchester. This position will provide assistance, direction, organization, coordination of programs that work to inform residents, multifamily building owners, and small businesses, with an emphasis in low-to-moderate income and priority communities, of the options for adopting clean energy strategies in their homes and businesses. $50k-$60k/year. (listed 2022 08 06) The posting is available here

Sustainable Westchester - Marketing, Communications and Outreach Director. (Location: Mount Kisco, NY) The Director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach will be responsible for developing and implementing Sustainable Westchester’s marketing, communication and outreach plans & strategies including public relations, digital communications, key messaging, storytelling and brand experience. $75k-$80k/year.  (listed 2022 08 06) The posting is available here

Clean Energy Associate (PAID INTERNSHIP) - Sustainable Westchester aims to educate and train the next generation of leaders in sustainability in Westchester. We hire students and recent graduates who have the skills, passion, intelligence and maturity to take on significant responsibility to help bring clean energy solutions to our residents. Throughout the duration of the position, associates may work with elected officials, municipal leaders, community members, subject matter experts, and consultants to provide a one-of-a-kind experience. We are committed to providing these valuable work opportunities to people from communities that have been underrepresented in the environmental field. (listed 2022 08 06) See Sustainable Westchester website for more.

Rewiring America – Federal Senior Policy Manager – The FSPM will own and drive critical efforts to influence federal policy initiatives. This role will manage the Federal policy team and lobbyists, lead the strategy and execution of federal policy, oversee targeted research and the drafting of key content, and provide critical perspectives in support of the multi-pronged policy strategy for Rewiring. This important work will continue and grow Rewiring America’s ability to affect federal policy, removing key barriers for electrification. (listed 2022 07 09) The posting is available here.

Rewiring America – Local Policy Director - With a clear vision, smart strategies, and significant and sustained financial support, Rewiring America is growing rapidly. As the Local Policy Manager on the Policy team you will lead on efforts to influence local policy initiatives around the country, particularly in public schools. This role will drive policy strategy, targeted research, support the drafting of policy and campaign documents, and provide input into the policy team’s public school electrification work. (listed 2022 07 09) The posting is available here.

Sierra Club Campaign Representative - Building Electrification (Location: MA/CT) - The Sierra Club seeks a strategic, collaborative, and equity-focused Campaign Representative to advance initiatives to end fossil fuel use in homes and buildings across Massachusetts and Connecticut. In this newly created position, the Campaign Representative will join a regional team that is working to address the climate crisis by moving the Northeast from dirty to clean energy… They represent Sierra Club to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, allies and other organizations, and the public. (listed 2022 07 09) The posting is available here. 

 The Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee Finger Lakes Region – Is looking to hire two staff members: 

·    The Manager of Organizational Programs will lead our efforts to educate, inspire, and support businesses and nonprofits that want to take action on climate.

·    The Program Director will be in charge of developing an exciting new program that we're not allowed to talk about until our contract with the funder is fully executed (which makes the hiring process a bit complicated). (listed 2022 05 28). The posting is available here. 

Hudson Valley Climate Leadership Coordinator-The Hudson Valley Regional Council is hiring for a full-time Climate Leadership Coordinator. The successful applicant will carry out tasks related to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Leadership Support Services Program for the seven-county Mid-Hudson Region. The Regional Council is looking forward to welcoming another collaborative, passionate, and motivated member to the team!  (listed 2022 05 14) The posting is available here.

Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) – is excited to announce that our organization is growing, and we are looking to fill the key position of Research Fellow. We seek passionate, intelligent, and kind people who work well both independently and as part of a team, and who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuff done.” (listed 2022 04 09).

Acadia Center is Hiring - for an energy efficiency and building energy justice manager, a senior energy attorney and a climate and energy policy analyst (listed 2022 03 05)  Click here for more information.

“Energy Department Will Recruit 1,000 Additional Staffers For New Corps To Tackle The Climate Crisis • The DOE is starting up a Clean Energy Corps to help implement the bipartisan infrastructure law and develop clean-energy solutions to the climate crisis, the agency said. It will hire 1,000 new employees through a newly launched hiring portal.” (from 2022 01 14 Green Energy News) [CNN]

HVAC Project Manager – Aztech Geothermal, Ballston Spa, NY – Aztech Geothermal, a well-respected Geothermal Heat Pump design-build contractor, is seeking an experienced HVAC Project Manager responsible for estimating project costs, purchasing/sourcing materials & equipment, project planning including management of technicians and subcontractors. This position requires 3-5+ years' experience in Residential &/or Commercial HVAC, including AC/heat pump equipment, power and control wiring, HVAC plumbing, and sheetmetal/air distribution systems. Strong candidates must be comfortable with computers and common Microsoft programs with ability to learn industry specific analysis software. Interested? Send your resume to info@aztechgeo.com.

Mechanical Design Engineer – Geothermal Focus – CHA Consulting - CHA Consulting, Inc. is an innovative, full-service engineering consulting and construction management firm working to responsibly improve the world we live in. Currently seeking a PE mechanical engineer with experience in the design of geothermal systems to support building scale and district geothermal project development, feasibility, design and construction. CGD certification preferred. Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Northern NJ or Boston based. More here (Listed 2021 10 04)

UHAB is Hiring -UHAB (Urban Homesteading Assistance Board ) is hiring a Project Associate focusing on Energy Services, including Co-ops Go Solar, Clean Heat for Co-ops, and other energy efficiency and energy-reducing renewable technology partnerships... We also have a few other positions posted, for a part-time Affordable Housing Loan Officer, and a full-time Project Associate on the Co-op Improvement Program who’ll provide services to distressed affordable buildings. All of the job postings are viewable on our website here. I appreciate your help to get the word out within your networks!” From email from Emily Ng.

Aztech Geothermal is Hiring- Seeking an Experienced Heat Pump Technician in NY's Capital District - Aztech Geothermal is looking for an Experienced Residential HVAC Technician in the Capital Region to join our growing installation and service business based in Ballston Spa. Geothermal heat pump experience a plus. but not required; we are willing to train the right individual. Our company is based in Ballston Spa and principally serves the Capital District, Hudson Valley and Western Massachusetts. More Information

“Dandelion Energy is growing its Drilling Department and we are looking for Senior/Master Drillers to operate our new rigs and lead our on-site drilling efforts for residential geothermal projects.In this role, you will make a significant impact in redefining how residential ground heat exchangers are installed which will lay the groundwork for Dandelion’s future growth and success. The Senior Driller will be directly responsible for the production rate of geothermal boreholes, the operation, and maintenance of equipment, the safety of on-site workers, and delivering feedback to both the Operations and Engineering team on how to optimize the overall process. For more information about the Senior Driller opening please apply here: https://boards.greenhouse.io/dandelionenergy/jobs/4879245002

Not a Senior Driller? check out our other exciting opportunities on our career site: https://dandelionenergy.com/jobs”

 

Ongoing – NYSERDA is hiring! The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has ongoing recruitment opportunities. Join our email list or check this page periodically to learn about new career opportunities. All qualified individuals will be evaluated for each relevant position for which they apply. Opportunities include:

NYSERDA Career Opportunities

NY Green Bank Career Opportunities

Paid Fellowship Opportunities

Paid Internship Opportunities

To learn more about NYSERDA, please visit our social media channels.



NY-GEO is not necessarily notified when jobs are filled. If you find one of these jobs are no longer available, please let us know.