Just In! for April 15, 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.

Ithaca’s Crazy Plan to Be Our First All-Electric City – Brian Kahn – Rolling Stone - "PICK A COLLEGE town that would be at the forefront of the climate revolution, and Berkeley is probably top of mind. But the real action is happening more than 2,700 miles away, in snowy Ithaca, New York. The city has one of the most aggressive climate plans in the country, with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. It’s using a unique public-private partnership to decarbonize its 6,000 buildings in what could be a model for how to electrify cities. If all goes according to plan, residents across Ithaca will wake up on a late-spring morning in 2030 not unlike this one. They’ll cook a quick breakfast on their induction stoves before taking their bikes or electric cars to work or school. As the front door shuts, a smart thermostat will tell the heat pump in the basement to turn down the temperature a few degrees so more energy being generated by the solar panels on the roof can be stored in a battery in the garage, ready for use later, after the sun goes down." Thanks to Assembly Member Anna Kelles for this tip. Article link here.

Washington State Holds Cap & Invest Auction – Lisa Stiffler - Geek Wire – “To reach Washington’s required target of net zero by 2050, the state is setting a cap on overall greenhouse gas emissions and auctioning pollution permits to businesses and organizations. The volume of emissions allowed ratchets down over time. The program applies to most businesses whose annual emissions exceed 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, with exceptions such as aviation fuels and agricultural operations. About 75% of the state’s emissions are covered by the effort.”  In the first auction, held February 28^th “The price paid per allowance — which covers one metric ton of carbon — was $48.50, an amount more than double the minimum bid allowed. It’s also higher than the $27.85 paid per ton at a joint auction in February held by California and Quebec. But the price was well below the ceiling amount of $81.47, and all of the Washington permits sold." Article link here.

Legislators Advocate on Energy Costs – NYPRIG – Read Media - Glick, Krueger, Gallagher, Kavanagh, Dinowitz, Rosenthal, Kelles, Otis, Shrestha, Epstein, Shimsky, and Simone, outline cost savings of getting off gas and making polluters – not taxpayers – pay. "I welcome Governor Hochul's concern about the energy costs New Yorkers face, and I guarantee there's not a single legislator in Albany who wants to see those costs go up. But rather than responding with a last-minute proposal to kneecap our climate law and lock our state into an expensive and dirty gas future, it would make much more sense to embrace the fact-based, thoroughly vetted proposals that will actually save New Yorkers money while bringing us closer to our climate goals. The All-Electric Buildings Act, the NY HEAT Act, and the Climate Change Superfund Act together will help to ensure that our utility bills are more predictable and affordable, and that a significant amount of the costs of climate adaptation are borne by Big Oil, not New York taxpayers and businesses." said Senator Liz Krueger. Thanks to Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch for this tip. Release and video link here.

Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick addresses the press on April 10th.

NYISO Gold Book is Out – NY Independent System Operator (ISO) – NYISO operates New York’s grid, matching the supply of electricity from various generators with the electric loads of New York’s utilities.  needs The 2023 Draft Gold Book, NYISO's annual Load & Capacity Data Report, has been published. Comments are due Thursday, April 20. Thanks to NY-GEO member Bob Wyman for this tip. The Draft graph below shows the NYISO’s projection of how peak demand will change over time if New York’s Climate Law is successfully enacted. Draft report here

Dueling Campaigns on Electrification - Fossil fuel interests are aggressively attacking efforts to decarbonize New York’s buildings through electrification. For example, “Smarter NY Energy”, the group funded by propane and heating oil industries, started a new social media ad campaign April 11^th. They currently have three active campaigns to have letters opposing all-electric new construction sent to legislators and the governor. You can see the details here. On the positive side, Renewable Heat How has developed a new Action Network letter-sending tool that makes it quick and easy to send a pro electrification message to Albany: Pass a Climate Budget by Cutting Pollution from Buildings! Thanks to Anshul Gupta from the Climate Reality Project for this tip.

NY Renews Video on Climate Funding – This new 1:30 minute video expresses the importance of adequately funding NY’s Climate Law. Thanks to Zasu Scott, NY Renews Digital Organizer for this tip. Video link here.

Geodelphia: Philly Tunes In to Geo – “We came together out of our concern for the climate, climate justice and the future viability of Philadelphia’s publicly owned gas utility. After looking at many alternatives, we feel geothermal has the most promise as a responsible alternative to fossil fuel heating and cooling systems. We created a vision and are working to help Philadelphia move towards it. We meet every Tuesday evening to support each other with these efforts." Thanks to NY-GEO members Jack DiEnna for being a founding member of Geodelphia and to Gaylord Olson for this tip. Website link here.

Building Modernization Legislative Toolkit – Regulatory Assistance Project – “Energy efficiency and electrification are the dynamic duo of a modern building. Technology advances in both these areas mean that we have the ability to improve the comfort and health of a building’s residents, save them money, reduce air pollution and better manage demand on the power system. In a time of rising costs and rising concern about environmental impacts, the opportunity to modernize buildings is more urgent than ever. But various barriers to building modernization continue to exist…The key to breaking this status quo and catalyzing change is held by state policymakers and legislators, who can pass new policies to give regulators, consumers and utilities the tools they need to modernize buildings. That’s why we’re introducing our Building Modernization Legislative Toolkit, a resource for policymakers seeking to help move forward the energy transition in buildings.” Graphic below from the Toolkit.

2007 Phase Out of Gas in Federal Buildings Was Never Implemented – Jeff Brady – NPR “A 2007 law requires new and remodeled federal buildings to stop using fossil fuels by 2030. But implementation stalled. The Department of Energy finally appears ready to put regulations in place.” Tip from Peter Jensen at the National Building Electrification Network and Sunstone Strategies. Link to article and 4-minute broadcast here.

Pediatrician Support for All-Electric Building Act - Both New York Clinicians for Climate Action and the New York State District of the American Academy of Pediatrics support passage of the NY All Building Electrification Act. The NY AAP’s Memorandum of Support is below. Thanks to Yu Ann Tan of RMI for this tip. Memorandum of support here.

Before We Invest Billions in This Clean Fuel, Let’s Make Sure It’s Actually Clean – Leah Stokes – New York Times – “Down on Page 118 of the ambitious climate law Congress passed last summer is a detail that has the potential to transform America’s energy system: a tax credit for what’s known as ‘clean hydrogen,’ a powerful fuel produced with low or even zero carbon emissions. It’s a provision that could replace a lot of the dirty fossil fuels in the sectors of the economy that are hardest to clean up, like heavy industry and aviation. But depending on how it’s executed, it also has the potential to make things worse. In the balance hangs President Biden’s climate legacy — and the possibility of going in the wrong direction on climate change."  Thanks to author Bill McKibben for this tip. Article link here.

Canadian Grants – Up to $10K for Air Source Heat Pumps - Zakiya Kassam – Real Estate News – “Canadians are being encouraged to tap into a new federal grant program to fund the purchase and installation of an energy-efficient heat pump. Through the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, eligible low- and median-income homeowners who are currently heating their homes with oil can register to receive an upfront payment of $10,000 to help make the switch.” Canadian friends of NY-GEO report the program does not apply to ground source heat pumps Article link here.

Compressed Air Energy Storage – NY-GEO finds that geothermal loops are the most economical form of long-duration energy storage. As we look to decarbonize the housing and transportation sectors through electrification, the value of ground loops in damping electrical peaks will become more and more significant. In addition though, some storage of electric generation capacity will be needed to meet increased peak demand. This article reviews the growing potential for compressed air energy storage (CAES) to meet peak demand. “Two CAES projects have been running efficiently for decades in Huntorf, Germany (320 MW) and McIntosh, Alabama (110 MW). These installations use off-peak power to run compressors that inject air into an underground storage chamber such as a salt cavern. During hours of high electric demand, compressed air is withdrawn from the cavern, preheated, and introduced to combustors where natural gas is fired to further heat the air. Hot expanding gases drive expansion turbines that are connected to a generator and produce electricity for the grid” The article also discusses CAES projects that don’t use combustion. Article link here.

Windowless Bedrooms? – Dan Avery – Architectural Digest – NYC Mayor Eric Adams has suggested changing building codes, for example lifting the requirement that bedrooms have windows, could help ease the city’s acute housing shortage. Windowless bedrooms expedite the conversion of unneeded office spaces to residential spaces, a process well underway in cities such as Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. However, there is a divergence of expert opinion regarding the benefits and drawbacks of windowless living spaces. 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.

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 Planet Will Warm Past 1.5°C. What Now? - Tom Athanasiou – The Nation – “The only way of ensuring that the overshoot is temporary is to decisively defeat the fossil fuel cartel… As Peter Thorne, a physical geographer at Maynooth University in Ireland, noted at the report’s launch, ‘Almost irrespective of our emissions choices in the near term, we will probably reach 1.5 degrees early in the next decade.… The real question is whether we reach 1.5 degrees and then maybe go a little bit over and come back down or whether we go blasting through one and a half degrees and two degrees and keep on going.’ The challenge now is to limit the depth and duration of the 1.5°C overshoot and thus the destruction that occurs during and after it. This means, among much else, rapidly phasing out fossil fuels, a tremendously challenging prospect that will disrupt economies and political alliances around the world. Such a phaseout can succeed only if it unfolds in a manner that is widely accepted as fair.” Article link here.

The IPCC Takes Its Last, Best Shot for the Planet – Climate Reality Project – This blog includes a 14 word phrase that sums up the state of humanity’s struggle with climate change, and which resonates with the current NY legislative session: “So what's holding us back? Political will, for one. Fossil fuel interests, for another.” Shoring up political will and keeping fossil fuel interests in their place are the key tasks of our time. Blog link here.

And Here in New York… - from Marie French at POLITICO

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 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 04 19 – A Gas Utility Goes Electric – 3:00 pm ET- Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) is exploring innovative ways to transition to a clean energy future by embracing the clean energy technologies that other utilities all over the US are actively fighting against. VGS has rolled out programs to install electric heat pumps for water heating and space heating and are exploring business opportunities around on-bill financing, district heating and geo-thermal heat pumps. Register here. 

*2023 05 11 - 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 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.