Just In! for January 13, 2024

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.

Governor Hochul Endorses Key Provisions of the NY HEAT ACT – The Governor’s State of the State book, released on Tuesday, 2024 01 09, states: “This year, Governor Hochul will advance the Affordable Gas Transition Act, legislation supporting responsible, equitable, and effective gas system transition planning, including the elimination of the so-called ‘100-foot’ rule and other provisions of law that restrict the Public Service Commission from protecting consumers and ensuring an effective transition to clean energy.” The Governor has received widespread praise for taking this step - which echoes the provisions of the NY HEAT Act - from the clean energy and climate justice communities. The fossil fuel industry is mobilizing to push back, and the results of these opposing forces will manifest in the state budget, which will be negotiated between the Governor, Senate and Assembly. In that connection Renewable Heat Now (RHN) is organizing a Rally and Lobby Day on January 23^rd to bring citizen power to bear on the negotiating process. Please consider joining on the 23^rd and click on the 2^nd image below to find out more. To read RHN’s response to the Governor’s State of the State message  click here.



Kennedy/Rivera Bill Would Increase NYS Geo Tax Credit Cap to $10,000 and Make it Refundable – Sponsored by Senator Tim Kennedy and Assemblymember Jon Rivera - S8106/A8588 - if included as part of the NY State budget - will raise the cap on New York’s 25% income tax credit for geo installations from $5,000 to $10,000. It will also make the credit a cash refund for low to moderate income New Yorkers and those who live in defined Disadvantaged Communities. All fans of geothermal heating and cooling are urged to call Governor Hochul at 518-474-8390 and ask that she include S8106/A8588 as part of the final, negotiated budget. Please email billnowa@gmail.com if you are interested in helping build support for this bill. See S8106/A8588 here.  

Con Edison Select Pricing Plan Saves Geo Customers Who Benefit an Average of $103 per Month ! – Con Edison has completed a report - SC1 Rate IV Assessment, Bill Impacts and Potential Improvements - that evaluates an electric rate designed to accurately reflect the savings that result when customers maintain a steady demand on the electric grid. This rate should cut bills for geothermal customers because geo ground loops provide energy consistently throughout the year. As the chart below shows, almost 90% of geo customers saved, and their average savings was $103 per month. For a copy of the report, email billnowa@gmail.com. Link to Con Ed’s Select Pricing Plan web page here.

Boston Mayor Champions Fossil-Free Buildings – Phil Tenser – WCVB TV – From Mayor Michele Wu’s State of the City speech – “Last year I promised to ban fossil fuels in new City buildings, and we did. And this year we will introduce zero net carbon zoning to make Boston the greenest city in the country. I'm also proud to announce that, with National Grid, we will launch Boston's first-ever networked geothermal system -- delivering clean energy for heating and cooling to hundreds of families in the Franklin Field community," Article and inspiring 1-minute video link here.

21 Injured in Another Gas Explosion – Jesus Jiménez and Mary Beth Gahan – NY Times - “The episode, which the authorities said was most likely caused by a gas leak, caused substantial damage to the Sandman Signature hotel in downtown Fort Worth. One person was in critical condition and four were seriously injured, the police said in an evening update.  Fourteen people were transported to a hospital, and one person went to a hospital on their own, the police said.” Article & 23 second video link here.

7 MA Communities Get Green Light on Fossil-Fuel-Free Requirements - Lisa Cunningham, ZeroCarbonMA – WBUR - "After years of deliberations, negotiations and regulatory rollout — and some well-publicized "agita"… seven Massachusetts cities and towns can now … require new construction and major renovation to embrace fossil fuel-free infrastructure for uses like heating and cooling. Acton, Aquinnah, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lincoln and Lexington can now begin enforcing those policies, effectively mandating that most construction or significant renovation projects inside their borders abstain from oil and gas hookups. Effective dates (and bylaw specifics) vary by community." Article link here.

Climate Law Deadlines Missed – Rebecca C. Lewis - City & State First Read – “Under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) were supposed to release and circulate regulations to ensure New York meets its greenhouse gas emission limits. (by January 1, 2024)…Instead of releasing completed regulations, the two agencies released a “pre-proposal outline” for the cap-and-invest program established in last year’s budget they were tasked with fleshing out. It serves as the main driver for the state’s emission reduction goals.” Article link here.

And a related item…

Assemblymember Kelles Introduces Bill on Cap & Invest Guardrails – Kate Lisa - State of Politics - “New legislation introduced in the state Assembly…by Anna Kelles, a member of the Environmental Conservation Committee… poses stricter guardrails for New York's Cap-and-Invest program than an early framework of the emission-reduction program state agencies released days before Christmas. The program would cap the state's annual permitted greenhouse gas emissions to meet mandates of the 2019 Climate Act, and require businesses to buy credits to emit pollutants if they exceed the limit… Kelles takes issue with a provision…, which allows businesses to hold onto, or sell, allowances they don't use — creating a secondary market." Article link here.



NYLCV Releases Policy Agenda, Endorses Repeal of the “100-Foot Rule” and the Utility “Obligation to Serve” Gas – The NY League of Conservation Voters has released their 16-page 2024 Policy Agenda. Included in the recommendations is the following: “Adopt legislation to remove subsidies that encourage new gas hookups. Remove the loophole that puts the cost of new gas hookups on existing gas customers if the new hookups fall within 100 feet of an existing gas line, ‘commonly referred to as the 100-foot rule.’ Repeal the obligation for gas utilities to provide gas service to new customers in their service area and replace it with an obligation for the utilities to serve new customers with ‘zero-emission heat’ ”. Document link here.

This picture of the geothermally heated and cooled ETC building, is featured in the NYLCV Policy Agenda booklet. The system energy is provided by 190 boreholes.



Energy Efficient Home is Valuable to Consumers – Michele Lerner - Green Builder - “While climate-change-driven disasters accumulate and the world’s attention focuses on solutions, energy efficient buildings are increasingly important to homeowners, renters and landlords…When asked if energy efficient upgrades were worth the money, the majority of every generation said they are worth it for the long-term savings.”  Article link here.

Power Companies Pay Civil Rights Leaders in the South for Advocacy - Mario Alejandro Ariza and Kristi E Swartz for Floodlight; Adam Mahoney for Capital B – The Guardian – “At least one venerable civil rights organization – the NAACP – urged its local chapters to stop taking power company money in 2020 after an internal struggle sparked by donations from Florida Power & Light.  But big-dollar corporate sponsorship can be hard to resist as such donations are hard to come by for social justice non-profits…” Thanks to author Bill McKibben for this tip. Article link here.

German Emissions at a 70 Year Low as Coal Use Drops – PhysOrg - “German emissions were at their lowest point in around 70 years as Europe's largest economy managed to reduce its dependence on coal faster than expected…The figure was 46 percent lower than in 1990, getting closer to the European Union's 2030 target to have cut emissions by 55 percent compared with the same reference year…Germany resorted to the fuel (coal) in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when Moscow cut off gas supplies to the European giant. But since then, Berlin has managed to pare back its use significantly.” Article link here.

Huge Battery Replaces Last Coal Plant in Hawaii – Julian Spector – Canary Media – Tesla Megapacks with185 megawatts of instantaneous discharge capacity match what the old coal plant could inject into the grid. This is the only large-scale battery known to Canary Media capable of combining the key functions of basic peak capacity, frequency response, synthetic inertia and grid-rebooting.  Article link here

Great Pics from the South Fork Offshore Wind Farm – Text by Patrick McGeehan, Visuals by Joe Buglewicz - NY Times – “More than 30 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, the first colossal steel turbines have started spinning at South Fork Wind, turning offshore breezes into electricity that lights homes on Long Island. The rest of the wind farm’s 12 towering turbines are set to be assembled and connected to New York’s power grid early this year…In December, electricity began flowing from the substation to homes and businesses on Long Island’s East End, passing through a cable that is more than 50 miles long and buried under the ocean. The developers say that South Fork, at full strength, could produce 132 megawatts of electricity — enough to power 70,000 homes." This piece includes several pictures of the project going up and a nice orientation map. Article link here.

50% More Renewable Electricity Generated in 2023 than in 2022 - International Energy Agency – The “world added 50% more renewable capacity in 2023 than in 2022 and (the) next 5 years will see (the) fastest growth yet, but lack of financing for emerging and developing economies is (a) key issue. The world’s capacity to generate renewable electricity is expanding faster than at any time in the last three decades, giving it a real chance of achieving the goal of tripling global capacity by 2030 that governments set at the COP28 climate change conference last month, the IEA says in a new report.” Thanks to author Bill McKibben for this tip. Article link here.

Contractor's Corner:

10,000 Americans Surveyed on Decarbonizing Their Homes - Allison Takemura – Canary Media – “A new study of 10,000 Americans suggests decarbonization programs should focus on reducing upfront costs and emphasize health, comfort — and even aesthetic benefits… The team… found significant regional variation… respondents based in the West were more interested in reducing harmful health and environmental impacts than those in other regions… In the Midwest, people are more motivated by cost savings and boosting home safety. In the Southeast, residents are more driven by a home’s aesthetics." Article link here.

Building Industry Survey – Sarah Gutterman - Green Builder - “Green Builder Media’s market intelligence division, COGNITION Smart Data, keeps its finger on the pulse of builder and consumer insights. The recent State of the Building Industry survey revealed marked progress in the adoption of sustainable products and technologies, and cautious optimism about the market… Nearly 75 percent of builders claimed that they are interested in building and selling all-electric homes. The 25 percent that were unwilling or unsure expressed concerns about fluctuations in future grid-tied energy costs.” 4-Minute article link here.

Climate Updates:

Arctic Blast Map Shows States Bracing for 50 Degree Temperature Drop – Anna Skinner – Newsweek – “An arctic blast will plunge most of the United States into "dangerously cold" territory this weekend, and maps shared by AccuWeather and the National Weather Service (NWS) reveal which states can expect to get hit the hardest by the arctic weather—one of which (Montana) will face temperatures up to 60 degrees below zero. An AccuWeather report described the incoming arctic blast as "dangerously cold," especially when the wind chill is taken into account.”  Scientists are studying the link between global warming and expansions of the polar vortex, of which this could be an example. Article link here.

Climate Change and Tipping Points – Mark Summer – Daily KOS – A new report draws attention to dangerous “tipping points” beyond the incremental changes normally associated with climate change (e.g., more gradual increases in temperature or shifts in rainfall patterns). The tipping points include collapse of ice sheets and cessation of ocean currents. This article also notes the report describes some positive tipping points, such as sharp reductions in the cost of renewable energy, but the article concludes: “It’s not hotter summers or wetter winters that should be at the top of the list of concerns. It’s how rising temperatures may trigger events that fall like a line of dominoes, taking much of the environment and human society down with them.” Article link here

Cessation of the Gulf Stream as the climate changes is an example of a tipping point that would have catastrophic impacts, severely lowering temperatures in Europe.

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

2024 01 16 – Live - 10 Week Online Certified GeoExchange Design (CGD) Course or Pre-Recorded Option with Ed Lohrenz – The Live course starts Jan. 16^th and runs until March 19^th – Tuesdays Noon to 1:30 pm 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 16 & 17 – Well Driller Annual Meeting – The Empire State Water Well Drillers Association meeting will be held at the Turning Stone Casino 30 miles East of Syracuse. The event features a Geothermal Update and Panel Discussion at 3:30 pm ET on the 16^th., as well as a Primer for General Drilling & Pump Installers from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm on the 16^th.   Call Julie Boyd at (845)225-3196 to register, and look here for more details.

*2024 01 17 - IRS Webinar on Direct/Elective Pay (Refundable) Tax Credits – 1:30 pm ET – “IRS announced the launch of the IRS Energy Credits Online pre-filing registration tool for taxpayers who intend to receive a direct payment or transfer a clean energy credit. Established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Elective Pay (or “direct pay”) and Transferability are credit monetization mechanisms to help states, local governments, non-profits, and other eligible entities access clean energy tax credits. Entities will use IRS Energy Credits Online to complete a required pre-filing registration process and receive a registration number…Treasury will host an Elective Pay webinar and provide an overview of the pre-filing registration process.” Register here.

2024 01 17 – A Geo Contractors’ Roundtable –  3:00 pm ET - California GEO – Our next “feature for THE UNDERGROUND will be a panel (of) three geo veterans... Jeff Brower, Mark Morelli, and Kent Penning. Each has operated a geo-focused firm in northern California. You're going to get an entire hour to hear the ups and downs of this business from those who've taken the ride. We are aiming this program at contractors, including those who wish to consider adding geo heat pumps to their existing repertoire. As an inducement to reach that audience, this session will be FREE when you register." Register here.

*2024 01 18 - Renewable Heat Now January Power Hour – 7:00-8:00 pm ET – Renewable Heat Now (RHN) is organizing intensively for NY’s transition to clean, fossil-fuel free heating. Join RHN for its monthly Power Hour, a strategy meeting designed to inspire and inform. “All are welcome to attend, and if you’re new to the movement for renewable heat, these meetings are a great place to learn and get plugged in!”.  Contact lisa@nyforcleanpower.org for registration information.

*2024 01 22 – NY Renews ClimateJobsJustice Mass Call – 6:00 pm ET– “We’re fighting to win this year! And what’s more? We actually have a chance: Governor Hochul included key components of the NY Heat Act in her executive budget proposal, signaling that we have real momentum entering the budget process. With NY HEAT and the rest of the Climate, Jobs, and Justice Package, we can secure good, green jobs for all New Yorkers, more clean energy, and green infrastructure for all. But it’ll take a lot more organizing energy to secure this future for all New Yorkers.” 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 4 pm 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 25 – Appliance Standards, Electrification and Gas Prices – 12:00 pm ET – Electrify Now and the Advanced Water Heating Initiative - “The proposed new gas furnace standards would mean that replacing an old low efficiency furnace with a new high efficiency gas furnace would typically require costly venting upgrades. Switching to a heat pump would avoid those added costs and therefore make heat pumps an even more attractive option for millions of homes with aging gas furnaces… Join Electrify Now and the Advanced Water Heating Initiative as we explore these two important and interrelated topics of federal appliance standards and gas price increases.” 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 06 – NY Thermal Energy Networks Summit – 8:30 am to 12:30 pm ET – “The Building Decarbonization Coalition, NYS Pipe Trades Association and City & State NY are proud to present The NY Thermal Energy Networks (TENS) Summit:  Scale up! Decarbonizing NY’s Neighborhoods at the Albany Capital Center…New York has positioned itself to be a national leader in using TENs with utility projects for several of these neighborhood-scale decarbonization infrastructure projects proposed for development across the state.” Register here for this free live (non virtual) event.



 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 .

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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 New York State. 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.

2024 04 08 and 09 – NY-GEO 2024 - 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 for Albany and learn more about becoming a sponsor and or exhibitor click here.

·      Book your stay at the Albany Marriott by clicking 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 for NYC 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.

NY-GEO members: to receive the discounted member rates, employees of your organization must be populated in the member database. Reach out to NY-GEO Executive Director Christine Hoffer at christine@ny-geo.org for assistance.

Not a Member? Click here to Join! 

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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

JOBS !                                                                    * = new listing

We NEED Your NY-GEO Member Job Postings – We only have 6 jobs posted right now so please add any openings members have to our NY-GEO Job Listings to 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.