Just In! 2024 05 25

Just In! for May 25, 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.

Industry Updates:

Credit Union’s Geothermal VRF System – NY-GEO member Credit Human, headquartered in San Antonio Texas, has built “a 12-story, 200,000-square-foot office space, opened in January 2021 as a showcase of their vision, leaving no stone unturned regarding the details… The HVAC system serving the Credit Human building achieves the highest level of energy efficiency and sustainability,” remarked Steve Straus, president of Glumac (the project design engineer). “The ground-source geothermal system consisting of 300-foot-deep wells supports the Mitsubishi Electric water-source VRF system. In the winter, the system is able to utilize the abundant heat in the ground that’s been stored through the summer months. In the summer, heat is reclaimed from air conditioning for domestic hot water.” Thanks to ACHR News for this tip. Link.

Advocates, Lawmakers Urge Assembly To Fight For Full Ny Heat Act - readMedia - 2024 05 22 - “Despite majority support for landmark climate and environmental justice legislation, Assembly leadership has still not brought the NY HEAT Act to a vote; Group called on Assembly to put constituents over utility companies' bottom line and prioritize legislation that would save NYers on their energy bills, end the fracked gas mandate, and fight climate change… More than 150 environmental advocates, residents and state lawmakers rallied at the Capitol to demand the Assembly pass the NY HEAT Act (A4592-B / S2016-B) this session. The bill has majority support in the chamber, and it is a priority for the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian (BPHA) Caucus - but the Assembly has refused to hold a vote on the bill.” Link.

Clean Heat Advocates Line the Hall Legislators Need to Travel Between Their Office and the Senate and Assembly Chambers

Mark Ruffalo Is Obsessed with NY Politics – Rebecca C. Lewis - City & State – “The Marvel Star… has gotten a lot busier – and more famous – since his early fracking days, but he says he still ‘lend(s) a hand’ where he can, whether it was to help promote the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act before it passed in 2019 or to advocate for a ban on carbon dioxide fracking earlier this year… He has also focused some of his recent efforts on the passage of the NY HEAT Act, another major climate priority for activists. He created a video on the legislation that he shared on social media in April, urging his fellow New Yorkers to get in touch with state leaders to pass the bill.” He has also written to City and State, “The state needs to do an I Love New York style campaign for the climate that inspires and empowers people to get involved and become part of the solution and I have been advocating to the state government to do just that… I know a lot of artists and actors who would volunteer their time for such a worthy endeavor.” Link.

Kelles/Parker Offer Cap& Invest Guardrails Bill – Assemblymember Anna Kelles - E-Mail to Constituents – “This past week, I hosted a legislative briefing and press conference on my bill (A8469) that would establish an economy-wide cap and invest program to support our GHG reductions. This bill provides a counterweight to the pre-proposal released this January by NYSERDA based on a cap and trade model (with draft regulations that are expected to be released soon). The bill I have introduced with Senator Parker offers a crucial counterpoint to the pre-proposal’s focus on emissions trading and profits that has insufficient targeted protections for disadvantaged communities most impacted by climate change and our current fossil fuel-heavy energy infrastructure. The bill prioritizes a clear roadmap for proceeds of the sale of emissions allowances to go towards reinvestment of revenues through a community-directed Climate Solutions Grants program for community-based organizations, projects and initiatives not assisted by other assistance programs, with 75% going to disadvantaged communities throughout the state.” Link to 7-minute video.

Capital Tonight's Susan Arbetter (left) Assemblymember Kelles (right)

Keeping Classrooms at a Safe Temperature - Katelyn Cordero – POLITICO, Weekly NY & NJ Energy - The New York State United Teachers union brought in saunas to the state Capitol today to show lawmakers what it feels like for a student sitting in a hot classroom trying to learn. The demonstration is part of their push to pass legislation that would cap classroom temperatures at 88 degrees. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. James Skoufis and Assemblymember Chris Eackus, would require schools to create a plan to lower the heat in classrooms that reach 82 degrees and evacuate the space if it exceeds 88 degrees. Geothermal heating and cooling would eliminate this issue. See about ½ way down the page under the heading TURN DOWN THE HEAT at this link.

Gas Utility Spending Could Lead to Unsustainable Rate Increases – Nicholas Cunningham – Gas Outlook – “A new report finds that U.S. gas utilities could spend up to $1.4 trillion on gas infrastructure through 2050. It warns that regulators need to manage the transition away from gas to avoid the continued build-up of stranded asset risk. Business-as-usual spending by U.S. gas utilities on infrastructure, including plans to grow their networks even as the shift to electrification gathers momentum, could result in ‘unsustainable rate increases’ for millions of people in the coming decades, according to a new report.” Link.

Gas Industry’s Take on the Future of Gas – Tom DiChristopher - S&P Global – “In the US, at least 14 states have opened future of gas proceedings, according to the AGA. These regulatory proceedings seek to align gas system planning with state climate goals, often through reduced investment in fossil fuel infrastructure. The early proceedings tended to take a negative view on the gas industry, but companies have lately sought to turn these venues to their advantage, said Daniel Lapato, AGA's associate vice president for state affairs. Gas utilities highlight their safety records, as well as their role in keeping energy costs low, supporting economic development and maintaining reliable service during periods of peak demand, he said during a May 19 panel.” Link.

Fossil Gas Fires & Explosions Injure or Kill an Average of 95 Folks a Year in the UK - Michael Scholand – M₂S₂ Energy - Debunking the Hydrogen Hype - Why Europe should pursue electrification instead of Hydrogen for cooking and heating – “Having an open flame in your home – gas or hydrogen – is inherently unsafe. UK data on “fires, explosions, casualties and fatalities from domestic gas explosions” recorded 2287 gas-related incidents over a seven-year period (between 2015 and 2022) – which equates to nearly one incident per day. Injuries and fatalities occurred in 669 of those incidents, and 49 people lost their lives.” Page 1 at this link.

From Saving Pucks to Saving the Planet: NY-GEO member Mike Richter – Peter Gerke – Renewable Energy World – “U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Mike Richter has now enjoyed a renewable energy career longer than the one that made him famous. ‘When you get done playing, you feel like you’re 1,000 years old’, Richter laughs…Richter started his second career at a private equity shop downtown in New York City, investing in electronic waste recycling and brownfield management. The firm washed out during the economic downturn of the late aughts.” He then went on to start a small solar firm before becoming President of Brightcore Energy, a NY-GEO member company. “Brightcore’s goal is decarbonizing the schools, multi-family homes, and businesses that account for about a third of our overall carbon footprint…You have to upgrade the operating systems of these buildings” Richter proclaims. “And that’s precisely what we do.” Link.

New Nationwide Initiative to Help States Cut Energy Costs and Pollution from Buildings - Michael Waite, Director of Codes and Building Standards, ACEEE – “The National Energy Codes Collaborative is a new nationwide network to help states and jurisdictions effectively and sustainably implement updated building energy codes, driving innovation through convening and collaboration, technical assistance, community engagement, capacity building, and thought leadership. By providing this support and connecting states and localities facing similar challenges across the U.S., our goal is to see more states and localities on the path to regularly updating their energy codes, resulting in the widespread improvements in energy efficiency and decarbonization that are imperative to addressing climate change.” Link.

Habitat Homes Weighed Down by Gas – The Guardian – “US gas utilities are partnering with one of the nation’s most trusted non-profits as part of a ‘cynical PR stunt’ to combat efforts to curb fossil fuel usage, a Guardian investigation has found. Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates have teamed up with at least four utilities across 10 states to build ‘zero-net energy homes’, which are meant to produce more energy than they use. The houses, which are sold at affordable rates to low-income families, are weatherized and meticulously insulated to boost efficiency and equipped with rooftop solar panels. But they also come with appliances powered by gas, a planet-heating fossil fuel that has been shown to degrade indoor air quality….Atmos has privately described the project as something closer to a public relations tactic, intentionally launched in a state that is ‘on the frontlines’ of attempts to quell reliance on gas. Atmos has since expanded the Habitat partnerships to seven communities, with plans to launch similar initiatives in at least two more. National Fuel in the north-east, SoCal Gas in southern California, and Nicor in Illinois have also partnered with Habitat on zero-net energy (ZNE) projects. Link.

$ Now Available for Electrification for HEAP Recipients – Abby McHugh Griff - Climate Solutions Accelerator May Newsletter – “NYSERDA has received approximately $9.5 million from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to serve all current program year Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) recipients with envelope and heat pump measures. Up to $20,000 in funding is now available per household on a first come first served basis…To be considered for funding, households must be identified with an approved application no later than July 1, 2024, and work must be completed by September 30, 2025. Our Energy Advisors are available to help with the application process.” Link.

Solar Savings to Benefit Low-Income New Yorkers – Marie J. French – POLITICO, Weekly NY & NJ Energy – “Low-income households receiving assistance with their utility bills who live in state-designated areas historically impacted by pollution will next year automatically get additional credits on their bill from solar and storage projects. The state Public Service Commission on Thursday approved a “Statewide Solar for All” program that allows utilities to procure community solar projects and pass the credits for energy generated on to certain low-income customers. Currently, the program requires most residents to have to proactively sign up for the type of credit, but the new program would require no action unless eligible customers opt out.” - See about 1/3 of the way down the page under the heading SOLAR FOR MORE at this link.

NY-GEO Conference Presentation:

Spread The Word!!

The NY-Geo Spring Conference Pictures Are Out!!!

Click here to see all 618 photos!

New York State Heat Pump Incentives: Utility and NYSERDA Program Highlights

In this session, you will learn about a broad range of incentive programs offered by New York State. The NYS Clean Heat Rebate Program and heat pump related programs offered by NYSERDA presented by the utilities and NYSERDA program managers. This session is designed to create broad awareness of the NYS programs available and identify resources to access programs of interest to your project(s).

Moderator:

• Will Xai / NYSERDA

Panel:

• Nicole Williams / NYSEG RG&E - NYS Clean Heat

• David Orellano / Con Edison - NYS Clean Heat

• Jonathan Tham / PSEG- Long Island Programs

• Hannah Morgan / NYSERDA - P-12 Program and FlexTech Program

• Cory Nicosia / NYSERDA - Marketing, Residential Contractor, & Training Programs

Presentation Deck

YouTube Recording

For Details on the Upcoming October NY-GEO Conference in Brooklyn see 2024 10 21 in the Green Events Section Below or Go Directly to the NY-GEO Website

Contractor’s Corner:

Managing Extreme Heat in Geothermal Installations – The Driller – “In Episode 110 of The Driller Newscast, join host Brock Yordy as he explores critical safety strategies for construction workers facing extreme summer heat. This episode features an engaging (30-minute) discussion with Kevin Austin, a seasoned geothermal drilling expert, focusing on meticulous planning and the significance of continuous communication to uphold safety standards in challenging conditions. Learn about innovative measures and practical advice to enhance worker safety during peak heat periods.” Link.

NY-GEO Seeks Installer Opinions on the Need for Help with Incentives/Rebates - NY-GEO notes that some GHP installers do not participate in incentive/rebate programs provided by NYS utilities and/or NYSERDA mainly because the administrative burden can be unproductive, frustrating, time consuming and provide little profit once the process is completed. For these installers, the economic return just isn’t worth the hassle. NY-GEO is interested in learning how/if providing GHP installers with a 3rd party administrative service focused on making the incentive/rebate process profitable would be of interest to you. The 3rd party would be knowledgeable of incentives/rebates and an extension of your efforts, allowing you to expand what you do best; installing GHP systems. If you are a GHP installer and would be interested in learning more about the possibilities of a 3rd party “win-win” program, please fill out this short survey, by June 5. Link. For questions contact John Rath NY-GEO Director of Operations at jrfree49@yahoo.com or cell 817-442-8418.

NYC Using Bores to Measure Water Table Depth – The City - “The New York City Department of Environmental Protection hired the U.S. Geological Survey to collect scientific data on the depth of the water table as a first step to understanding the landscape and how factors like rain, sea level rise and projects to manage stormwater affect the groundwater…The USGS is starting to monitor a network of over 150 wells throughout the boroughs, some installed as early as the 1970s. The first step is to find the wells, which may have been paved or developed over…The efforts come as some residents and elected officials sound the alarm about ongoing groundwater flooding in their communities. Knowing where the groundwater is and how it changes is a first step to dealing with that flooding, city officials say.” Link.

Climate Updates:

Seniors More Vulnerable to Heat Waves and Hurricanes, Both Forecasted to Be Severe this Summer - Kiley Price – Inside Climate News – “When Hurricane Ian whipped through Florida in 2022, it left a path of devastation in its wake. Cars sank alongside boats on flooded streets, while once-extravagant houses were reduced to piles of jagged wood by the time this category 4 storm finally relented. The hurricane claimed the lives of 156 individuals—more than half of whom were 60 years or older…For today’s newsletter, I am exploring why elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable during climate-fueled hurricanes and heat waves, and what experts say needs to happen to protect older populations in disasters.” Link

Wheelchairs line the hallways of St. Rita’s nursing home near New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Thirty-five people drowned at the facility. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Howler Monkeys Are Dropping Dead from the Trees in Southeastern Mexico – Maria Louisa Paul – The Washington Post - “In southern Mexico, the deep and raspy roars of howler monkeys reverberate through the lush jungles enveloping the city of Comalcalco. The sound — akin to the rumble of distant thunder or the grumble of a large engine — usually crescendos around dawn and dusk, signaling to residents the beginning and end of each day… But those booming, guttural growls have grown fainter in recent weeks as at least 147 monkeys died amid excessive heat raging in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas, Comalcalco-based veterinarian Víctor Morato said.” Link.

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"We know from a recent study that every tenth of a degree in temperature rise that we prevent keeps 140 million of our brothers and sisters in habitable zones on this planet. And nothing has changed my basic conviction about the key: we need to keep building huge movements to finally break the political power of the fossil fuel industry and force the emergency conversion to clean energy." —Bill McKibben

You've Got to Be Kidding:

"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense."

—Tom Clancy

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

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 05 29 – NYC- Stockholm Retrofit Exchange – 9:30-11:00 am ET – “Last summer, Building Energy Exchange and NYSERDA organized a delegation of U.S. companies to embark on a fact-finding mission to Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm has become an international frontrunner in sustainable urban development, with leading examples of district-level smart growth encompassing buildings, transportation, waste, and community engagement. …With support from NYSERDA, BE-Ex has gathered all the lessons learned and perspectives gained into a compelling report, International Exchanges – Solutions for Low Carbon Building: Stockholm, which distills the best practices observed in Stockholm by our U.S. delegation.” This webinar will introduce the report. Register here.

2024 05 30 – Data Resource on Residential Electrification Incentives - 1:00 pm ET – Building Decarbonization Coalition – “The National Open Data for Electrification (NODE) Collective is a nonprofit alliance creating the most comprehensive and up-to-date open data repository of every residential electrification incentive program in the nation, with plans to make the resource open and accessible to all. Join this webinar to hear from NODE’s founding organizations – Eli Technologies, Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC), Rewiring America, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, and RMI – discuss the progress to date, the NODE Collective roadmap, and how this initiative can spur market innovation and make residential electrification more affordable for consumers." Register here.

2024 05 31 - 06 03 – Tour: The Public Health Case for All-Electric Buildings - “Join Concerned Health Professionals of New York and Better Buildings New York at these local events. Experts will be sharing the latest groundbreaking data on the health and safety impacts of gas appliances in our homes and buildings and learn how you can make the switch to electric. We’ll also share the policies, proceedings and projects addressing the dangers of gas and helping facilitate the all-electric transition locally and statewide.”

Events scheduled for:

*2024 06 05 – Marketing and Promoting Electrification Using Behavioral Science - 1:00pm ET – ”A new nationwide survey of nearly 2,000 homeowners and renters found that among those interested in transitioning their homes from fossil fuels to efficient electric systems, the most common reasons were the environment, health and safety, and energy efficiency. Perceptions of the expensiveness of switching to electricity and specific preferences about cooking with gas dominate the barriers to electrification. And customers with specific beliefs and experiences are most likely to switch. Putting these findings into practice is the real challenge. How do we encourage electrification more broadly using behavioral science? Register here.

2024 06 11 – Michigan Geothermal Energy Association Annual Conference - 8am - 4pm ET - This conference features Missy Stults, City of Ann Arbor as our keynote speaker. Educational session will be in three (3) separate tracks, Residential, Commercial and Utility. Ryan Dougherty from GEO Exchange to provide the national perspective. Conference Registration.

*2024 10 21 to 23 – NY-GEO 2024 – Fall Conference – Brooklyn – The New York Brooklyn Bridge Marriott will host a two-day conference with a day of local project site tours, over 40 educational sessions, and the NY-GEO Annual Dinner. This is NY-GEO's first conference Downstate and will emphasize content on how to address densely populated areas and large commercial buildings. As NY-GEO gears up for an extraordinary event, we invite you to register for two days of informative education sessions, and a showcase of geothermal energy solutions presented by our committed sponsors and exhibitors. To register for NYC and learn more about becoming a sponsor and or exhibitor click here.

Key Notes include:

Doreen Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA

Matthew Ketschke, President, Con Edison of New York

This event goes beyond the ordinary by offering attendees the unique opportunity to visit geothermal sites in NYC on October 21, providing firsthand experience and insights. Networking opportunities and access to top industry experts, this gathering is a must for professionals, policymakers, businesses, and building owners dedicated to decarbonizing New York State. Immerse yourself in the world of geothermal technology and join us in Brooklyn October 21-23. Learn more and register

Top Job 2024 Competition @ NY-GEO Conference in Brooklyn, NY

The Top Job Competition presented by GeoStar has been an integral part of the NY-GEO annual conference since its inception in 2015. Its objective is to highlight and recognize the incredible skill, talent, and creative imagination that exists in geothermal system designers and installers. We are thrilled to announce that in 2024 we will be recognizing and awarding three winners, one each, in the categories of:

Residential
Commercial
Drilling

Why Apply? Top Jobs provides an opportunity for us to learn about the latest advancements in geothermal technology. How it is being implemented in a wide range of building types and applications and showcasing the benefits of geothermal systems, from their energy efficiency and cost-savings to their positive impact on the environment. Top Jobs projects allows the geothermal industry to communicate to those outside the industry including policymakers the variety of ways this technology can be applied, especially in situations where daunting challenges seem impossible to overcome and yet they are.

Please share your Top Jobs project that will inspires, motivates and explores the possibilities of geothermal energy. Learn more and submit.

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

NY-GEO 2024 Spring Conference - Albany Recordings Available

Access the conference recordings now to stay at the forefront of geothermal advance and drive sustainable change here.

2025 03 11^th-13th – 2025 IGSHPA Annual Conference – Breaking New Ground– From the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA): “Join us in Champaign, IL next March for our 2025 Annual Conference in collaboration with the Geothermal Alliance Of Illinois! Don't miss out on early bird pricing, and as always, if you are a GAOI or IGSHPA member you get to register at a discount!” Conference website here.

JOBS !

We NEED Your NY-GEO Member Job Postings – Please add any job openings you may 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.

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. All qualified individuals will be evaluated for each relevant position for which they apply. Check this page periodically to learn about new career opportunities.

Become a 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 a NY-GEO member and why your membership is important to advancing GHP, Click here.