Just In! for December 23, 2023

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

Just In! is NY-GEO's weekly news feed for members. See more information on memberships here. If we send you a complimentary 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. For past issues, check out the Just In! Archive available on the NY-GEO.org website.

NY-GEO 2024 CONFERENCES –

See details in the 2024 listings in the Events section below in green type.

NYS Releases Cap & Invest Documents - "Today, (2023 12 20) the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the release of two key documents in the ongoing development of New York’s Cap-and-Invest Program (NYCI). The Pre-Proposal Outline and Climate Affordability Study are now available on the New York Cap-and-Invest webpage. These documents are a framework for the cap-and-invest program design and a study on the distribution of benefits.”  NYCI is designed to steadily wind down climate emissions in NY State while generating revenues to help New Yorkers make the transition. DEC and NYSERDA will be holding 3 stakeholder workshops on the Cap & Invest program January 23^, 25 and 26 – see the events section below. Press release link here.

Figure from the NY State Climate Affordability Study

90+ Organizations Call for a Ban on CO2 Fracking in NY State – Food & Water Watch – “The gas industry – by a company called ‘Southern Tier CO2 to Clean Energy Solutions’ – recently announced a proposal to drill and frack in New York using carbon dioxide (CO2), including test wells as soon as this spring. Almost a decade after New York…(banned) high-volume hydraulic fracking, this dangerous proposal to get around our state’s fracking ban using CO2 poses many of the same threats to our water, health, and climate. Today, (2023 12 19) more than 90 organizations released a letter to Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, and DEC Commissioner Seggos calling for a ban on CO2 fracking." Article link here.  

Labor, Clean Energy Organizations File Joint Endorsement of Several Utility Thermal Energy Network (UYEN) Projects – On December 21^st, the Building Decarbonization Coalition; New York State AFL-CIO; New York State Building and Construction Trades Council; United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Sprinkler Fitters in NY; New York League of Conservation Voters; Sierra Club - Atlantic Chapter; Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE); and WE ACT for Environmental Justice filed a letter urging the Public Service Commission to advance 11 of the 13 Utility Thermal Network projects currently under the Commission’s purview “to Stage 2 as soon as possible. Each of the projects represent distinct opportunities and learning potential.” The 6-page letter gives a brief one-paragraph overview of each project citing perceived strengths and weaknesses. Link to filing here.

NYC Adjusts Zoning to Ease Renewable Installations - Sean Wolfe – Renewable Energy World – “New York City Council has approved the ‘City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality’ proposal, a set of citywide zoning changes aiming to remove barriers to rooftop solar, building electrification, and electric vehicle (EV) charging.” The building electrification provisions include “Lightening restrictions on the height and thickness of walls that restrict building electrification and retrofits for efficiency. This policy aims to add flexibility, making these modifications possible while maintaining the look and feel of the city’s neighborhoods. These changes will facilitate environmentally friendly retrofits for more than 50,000 buildings, including 1 million+ homes where retrofits are currently restricted by city zoning.” Article link here.

Mayor Adams announces City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality initiative in an 80-second interview.

NYLCV Releases 2023 NYS Environmental Scorecard – The 2023 edition of this annual report grades all legislators for their 2023 votes on 14 bills including the Geothermal Borehole 500 Foot Bill and the NY HEAT Act.  NY-GEO thanks NYLCV for their support of these important initiatives!  Report link here.

Picture of the University of Albany’s all-electric ETEC Building mechanical room, featured in the NYLCV report. Geoexchange pipes for the geothermal heating and cooling system are at the right.

Side Stepping the Court Rejection of Berkeley’s Gas Ban – Grist – "Amid an uncertain legal landscape, lawmakers are finding new ways to electrify buildings." Cities and states like Seattle; Ashland, Oregon; and Washington state are sidestepping Berkeley’s legal challenges by finding creative alternatives to banning gas outright — including by setting emissions targets, updating building codes, and restricting indoor air pollution.  Article link here.



Why Are My Energy Bills Going Up? – Renewable Heat Now – This one-page “explainer” gives a quick look the forces behind rising gas bills.  Link here.

NYSERDA’s Clean Career Watch Parties – “Get ready to dive into an electrifying experience! Join our exclusive ‘Empowered State’ Watch Party showcasing the compelling Roadtrip Nation docuseries powered by NYSERDA. We're rolling out four must-watch episodes Tuesday, December 26, 2023, through Friday, December 29, 2023 sharing a new episode each day. You can join the journey with three young New Yorkers as they hit the road, exploring the exciting clean energy revolution happening right in their own backyard.”

Dandelion Energy’s Co-Founder and President Kathy Hannun is interviewed as a part of the ‘Empowered State’ video series presented by NYSERDA. Kathy's in the 12/27 video.



The Year States Passed on Gas – Emily Pontecorvo – Heatmap – “ In February, the Building Decarbonization Coalition reported that 98 municipalities and four states — California, Washington, Maryland, and Colorado — had adopted policies promoting a switch to electric appliances. When the gas stove hysteria erupted, one in five Americans was already living under laws that encouraged or required landlords and developers to eschew gas. A lot has happened in the months since, and not every state is swimming in the same direction on the issue. But in 2023, policymakers took big leaps toward a future without gas in buildings in three key ways:

1. The first statewide ban on gas in new buildings (in New York)…

2. Limits on investment in the gas system…

3. Prohibitions on charging customers for marketing and lobbying.”  Article link here.

You’re Invited – Click here or see more in the Events section below.

Canary Media Calls New Hydrogen Regs “on the Right Track” – Jesse D. Jenkins – Canary Media – “The proposal for clean hydrogen tax credits is built on ‘three pillars’ that will ensure hydrogen actually fights climate change instead of making it worse... An overwhelming consensus has emerged in the research community that three key requirements must be met in order to ensure clean hydrogen is truly clean: Electrolysis must be powered by clean electricity that is 1) drawn from newly built carbon-free sources, 2) physically deliverable to the electrolysis facility, and 3) matched hourly with the electrolyzer’s power consumption (as opposed to a producer simply buying renewable energy certificates, stapling them on to their grid power, and calling it clean, as is the current default).” Article link here.

Author of this in-depth hydrogen article, Jesse D. Jenkins is an assistant professor and macro-scale energy systems engineer at Princeton University

Chestnuts Roasting on an Electric Fire - Introducing the Decarbonized, All-Electric Hearth – Naomi Cole, Wachunas – Decarbonize Your Life – “Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, called the hearth the ‘the psychological center of the home’ and designed all his residences around a central fireplace… according to the National Association of Home Builders… 55 and 48 percent of home buyers rate gas and wood burning fireplaces, respectively, as desirable or essential, and this share has been increasing since 2003…(However) Electric fireplaces are, by far, the most inexpensive type of fireplace to buy and install. The unit itself averages $1000, but you can find models as low as $200, compared to $1500 to $3500 for a gas fireplace insert.”  Article link here.

2023 Wrapped: Decarb Edition – Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC) – “Seeing double? Within two short years, the number of all-electric buildings projects completed by members of the American Institute of Architects doubled, according to their own tracking. This is a promising sign that all-electric buildings are becoming mainstream… And it’s not just heat pumps. Walk into a big box store in 2023 and you’ll find significantly expanded models and price points for induction cooktops, heat pump dryers, and heat pump water heaters compared to even a few years ago. We’re seeing an increased commitment from the nation’s retailers to support the transition to clean energy technologies. In fact, Lowes, the nation’s second-largest retailer, has explicitly committed to transitioning from gas to electric products across their portfolio as a part of their sustainability plan.” While BDC’s heat pump comments in this blog primarily focus on air source, they do devote a section to thermal energy networks. Article link here.

Dangers of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) by Rail - Tonight with John Oliver covered LNG by rail risks in the show's most recent segment on railroad safety. Thanks to Caleb Heeringa of Gas Leaks for this tip. 45-seond John Oliver video link here.

The US Hits New Highs for Oil And Gas Production - Maria Virginia Olano – Canary Media – “It’s the hottest year on record, and the U.N. just set a global goal to phase out fossil fuels — but the U.S. is drilling for more oil and gas than ever before.” Article link here.

Lessons From Portugal’s All-Renewables Streak – Julian Spector – Canary Media – There are 5 lessons to be learned from the recent period when Portugal went 6 consecutive days using only 100% renewable electricity:

1. ·       "the grid had sufficient capacity;
2. ·       buildout pays off and must be an ongoing process. Portugal started hydro projects in 1970s, wind projects in1990s, and is now accelerating solar;
3. ·       diversification of renewable sources is key;
4. ·       storage, but not necessarily batteries, is needed; and
5. ·       climate goals require gradually minimizing use of fossil gas as a back-up source." Article link here.

Climate Updates:

Climate Abandonment Areas - The First Street Foundation has been conducting sophisticated research on the impact climate threats are already having on migration patterns within the United States. On December 19^th they released a study with the tag line “Over 3.2 Million Americans Have Left High Flood Risk Neighborhoods Creating ‘Climate Abandonment Areas’ " Article link here.

Al Gore Reviews COP 28 – Climate Reality Project - Per former Vice President Al Gore, “Fossil fuel interests went all out to control the outcome, but the passionate work of millions of climate activists around the world inspired and motivated delegates from many nations to loosen the industry’s grip.  Whether this is a turning point that truly marks the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era depends on the actions that come next and the mobilization of finance required to achieve them.”  Link to 4-minute video here.

Catholic Divestment – Daniel R. Dileo – National Catholic Reporter – “Last summer, the Catholic Theological Society of America, or CTSA, the principal association of Catholic theologians in North America, resolved to divest from fossil fuels. This commitment responded to the Vatican's call, followed the Vatican's example and applied the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' revised socially responsible investment (or SRI) guidelines. This fall, the Catholic Theological Society of America fulfilled its divestment resolution. CTSA's story models how critical theological dialogue on justice and the signs of the times can inspire Catholic action.” Thanks to author Bill McKibben for this tip, in which he notes the fossil fuel divestment movement has soared past the 1,600-endowments/$40 trillion-in-assets benchmark. Article link here.

Light Hearted for the Holidays:

All We Want for Christmas…Renewable Heat Now (RHN) is conducting a social media campaign to send holiday messages to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to include the provisions of the NY HEAT Act in her soon to be unveiled 2024 budget proposal. RHN urges you to take a picture of yourself with a sign promoting the NY HEAT Act. You can then post it on twitter, tagging @GovKathyHochul using the hashtags #CleanerHeatLowerBills, #NYHEATand #RenewableHeatNow. They’ve even got a bundle of graphics at the website below for your use if you don’t want to take a picture. RHN urges you to have fun and be creative if you like. For more on the campaign, click 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.

(and Go Bills !!! :)

EVENTS:

*Indicates a New Listing or Updated Information

*2023 12 26 through 29 – NYSERDA’s Clean Career Watch Parties – 1:00 pm ET – “Get ready to dive into an electrifying experience! Join our exclusive ‘Empowered State’ Watch Party showcasing the compelling Roadtrip Nation docuseries powered by NYSERDA. We're rolling out four must-watch episodes Tuesday, December 26, 2023, through Friday, December 29, 2023 sharing a new episode each day. You can join the journey with three young New Yorkers as they hit the road, exploring the exciting clean energy revolution happening right in their own backyard. Tune in to watch live to the official NYSERDA YouTube channel the following dates and times:"

• December 26 at 1:00 pm ET: Power for Good
• December 27 at 1:00 pm ET: Under the Ground and Through the Air
• December 28 at 1:00 pm ET: A More Equitable Revolution
• December 29 at 1:00 pm ET: We Power New York

2024 01 08 – NY Renews Climate State of the State Press Conference – 11 am ET – “Join us for our virtual ‘Climate State of the State’ press conference to discuss this year's climate justice priorities: the People's Climate Justice Budget and Climate Jobs and Justice Package. The press conference will include a bench of legislative speakers, as well as a Q&A for press only, at the end of the event.” Register here.

2024 01 10 – IGSHPA Town Hall with Pete Prydybasz on The Importance of a Site Survey – 11:30 am ET – “Pete Prydybasz of B.J. Terroni will be speaking…on how a geothermal heat pump operates and what conditions must exist and be addressed at the site in order for the installation to be successful.” Register here.

2024 01 16 – Live - 10 Week Online Certified GeoExchange Design (CDG) Course or Pre-Recorded Option with Ed Lohrenz – The Live course starts Jan. 16^th and runs until March 19^th – Tuesdays Noon to 11:30 am ET – “This workshop is designed to provide a solid understanding of GeoExchange systems for mechanical designers …This course was developed for IGSHPA with accreditation offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).” For more information and to select either the Live or Pre-Recorded course including options on course materials go to this link.

*2024 01 18 - Treasury Guidance on Direct/Elective Pay (Refundable) Tax Credits – 1pm ET – Beneficial Electrification League - With new changes to tax law, non-profit organizations are now able to directly take advantage of tax credits via direct payments from the US Treasury for eligible clean energy investments. In this webinar tax experts will discuss the intricacies of direct pay incentives, shedding light on important guidance and considerations for infrastructure investment. This webinar will be focused on electric sector investment, particularly related to electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. A representative from the US Treasury Dept. and from the GeoExchange Organization are among panelists. Register here.

2024 01 22 to 24 – Online IGSHPA Accredited Installer Training with Ewbank Testing – “This Accredited Installer Course will be taught online over the course of three days. Cost includes all materials (digital) needed for course, 3 years of IGSHPA membership & AI Certification.” Register here. To register through Farmingdale State College, click here.

2024 01 23 - Renewable Heat Now’s Rally & Lobby Day for the NY HEAT Act in Albany – 11 am to 4pm ET – “Join Renewable Heat Now and multiple allied groups in calling on Governor Hochul and the Legislature to put the NY HEAT Act in the budget!"

·      11:00 We will gather in an area of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) known as the 3rd Floor Terrace. There you'll sign in and meet up with your lobby team leader. Coffee and bagels will be provided. You can leave your coat etc. in this area during the day.

·      12:00-12:30 Rally on the Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol Building.

·      12:30-1:30 Lunch on the 3rd Floor Terrace of the LOB

·      1:30-4:00 Lobby visits with your team Click here for more.

*2024 01 23, 25 and 26 – Cap & Invest Webinars – “DEC and NYSERDA are continuing the public process to develop NYCI regulatory proposals prior to issuing a draft regulatory package and starting the formal regulatory process." The agencies are holding virtual stakeholder meetings next month that include:

Jan. 23, 3 to 4:30 p.m. – The Role of Cap-and-Invest

Jan. 25, 1 to 4 p.m. – Pre-Proposal Outline Overview

Jan. 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Preliminary Analysis Overview

Recordings of the webinars will be posted online following the events.”

Register here.

2024 01 26 – IGSHPA Dig Deeper - GHP Impact Analysis – 11:30 am ET – Speaker: Jeff Winick & Sean Porse of U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office, “In Fiscal Year 2022, with GTO support, ORNL and NREL conducted a modeling assessment of the grid impacts resulting from the mass deployment of GHPs. Modeled changes in end use load profiles for the US building stock and their impacts on the bulk power system were analyzed under various carbon policy, electrification, and sensitivity scenarios using capacity expansion modeling (ReEDS) and production cost modeling (PLEXOS). The results demonstrate GHPs’ significant aggregate value to a decarbonizing grid through reduced infrastructure requirements, reduced emissions, and improved grid efficiency.” Register here. 

*2024 03 14 – 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 not available yet .

2024 – NY-GEO 2024 Conferences

Yes That’s Plural

We are excited to share there will be two conference events in 2024 with content focused on both the diverse residential and commercial markets in NYS. The programs will include dynamic keynote speakers and panels, educational tracks that are relevant and applicable, and an opportunity to network with exhibitors showcasing products and services that will support and advance your knowledge. For information on the NY City Conference see 2024 10 21 to 23 listing below.

2024 04 08 and 09 - Albany - Once again hosted at the Albany Marriott, we bring together the best of the best in the Geothermal Heat Pump Industry. We will open with an exhibitor mixer on April 8 followed by a full day of programming on the 9th with focused attention on Upstate.  NY-GEO 2023 maxed out with attendees and exhibitors, so register today if you don’t want to miss out. 

·      To register and learn more about becoming a sponsor and or exhibitor - Click Here 

·      Book your stay at the Albany Marriott by Clicking Here

Not a Member? CLICK HERE to Join! 

2024 05 28 to 30 – IGSHPA Research Conference - The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) is pleased to announce that the next IGSHPA Research Conference will be held at Polytechnique Montréal. This is the fourth in a series of research conferences held in Denver (2017), Stockholm (2018), and Las Vegas (2022).  Conference website here

2024 10 21 to 23 – NY-GEO 2024 – New York City - The New York Brooklyn Bridge Marriott will host a two-day conference with sessions and tracks, the NY-GEO Annual Dinner, and a day of local project site tours. This is NY-GEO's first conference Downstate and will emphasize content on how to address densely populated areas and large commercial buildings.

·      To register and learn more about becoming a sponsor and or exhibitor - Click Here 

·      Book your stay at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott by Clicking Here

NY-GEO Members can attend the conferences at a discounted rate, so now is a good time to renew your membership through 2024.

JOBS !                                                                    * = new listing

NY-GEO Job Postings - Include NY-GEO in your posting for job openings - gain visibility and help recruit new employees to your organization. This feature is available to all NY-GEO members, simply log into your account, select the NY-GEO Job Listings in the left toolbar, select Add in the upper right, and complete the form. If you need assistance, let us know at christine@ny-geo.org.

New Yorkers for Clean Power is proud to lead the charge for green jobs through Clean Energy Careers NY, a collaborative initiative to create equitable clean energy careers pathways in New York to help achieve the state’s climate and clean energy goals…”We're excited to launch the Clean Energy Careers New York Newsletter! The newsletter is chock-full of Clean Energy Careers NY resources, event information, job opportunities, and more. If you're a job seeker, a trainer, an employer, or a clean energy advocate, this newsletter is for you! (listed 2023 07 22) Read the newsletter here.

The Building Performance Contractors Association (BPCA) Career Center is here. 

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:

Become an NY-GEO Member

NY GEO is the driving force in the mass adoption of Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps for residential, commercial, and utility-scale heating and cooling in New York State. NY-GEO's mission is to grow the geothermal heat pump industry and develop its workforce while educating policymakers building/property developers and residents about the benefits of geothermal heat pumps.

We are a member-funded, non-profit trade organization and we depend on YOUR SUPPORT to expand the use of clean, renewable, geothermal heating and cooling systems for the benefit

of all.

Learn more about the benefits of becoming an NY-GEO member and why your membership is important to advancing GHP, Click here.