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Just In! for October 17th, 2026
The weekly newsletter of the New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO)
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Check out our new STREAMLINED format. If, like most of us, you’ve got limited time and lots on your mind, just scan the first four sections, which now contain significantly fewer items, and be assured you’ve likely seen the most significant current geo news. If you’re ready for a deep dive and want to be sure you’re not missing anything, continue on to the Rounding Out the Picture section where you might turn up a gem or two you’re glad you’ve caught.
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.
Today’s contributors who’ve suggested news items include: Adam Flint,Betta Broad, Bill McKibben, Dan Delurey, Jamie Van Nostrand, Joe Dammel, Joseph Osso, Ryan Shea and Sammy Roth.
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PSC Advances Two Utility Thermal Energy Network Pilot Projects – PSC press release - “The New York State Public Service Commission today authorized the advance of two Utility Thermal Energy Network (UTEN) pilot projects in New York State. These projects - the National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. project in Buffalo and the Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc. West Loop project in the Village of Haverstraw — will move forward with customer enrollment and construction to utilize thermal energy from wastewater and geothermal borefields and connect multiple buildings through unified networks to bring clean heating and cooling to New Yorkers and stimulate jobs and economic growth.” See items 536 (press release) and 537 (Commission order) filed 202610 15 at this link. Editor’s notes:
- NY-GEO members have been heavily involved in the approved pilots. LaBella Associates (design engineers), with assistance from GEOptimize and Aztech have contributed to the Buffalo proposal, while Moravec Geothermal is expected to drill the test bore. Salas O’Brien (design engineers), with Rototec and Aztech (both involved in the test bore & TC test) for the Haverstraw proposal.
- In evaluating the UTENs, Department of Public Service (DPS) PSC staff was required to compare the UTENs proposals with individual ground source and air source systems. The Commission order includes several charts and text passages comparing projected results.
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It’s also notable that nine (9) of the proposed eleven (11) UTEN projects statewide are not authorized to move forward. Primary reasons for denial stated in the order were generally a combination of very large construction costs and/or excessive projected annual operating costs, both which look to be an excessive burden on utility ratepayers for many years to come.
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Slide from Department of Public Service staff presentation at the 2026 10 15 PSC meeting.
Con Edison Offers Electrification Incentive as Substitute for Gas Line Replacement – See the program webpage as well as a 1- minute “How it Works” video at this link.
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National Grid Has a Similar Program in the Works. See item 147 filed
2026 02 24 At this link.
| | “Money for Nothing”: Time to Take Away the E-Z Pass for Pipe Replacement Programs – Jamie Van Nostrand, Policy Director – Future of Heat Initiative (FOHI) - “Our major finding (in the FOHI report Spending and Safety Outcomes in U.S. Gas Distribution Systems) is that the framework for regulating gas distribution system safety that has taken shape under DIMP (the federal Distribution Integrity Management Program rule) and the Call to Action has produced an unprecedented increase in capital spending by gas distribution utilities – about $250 billion over 15 years, primarily for pipe replacement – without any commensurate improvements in measured safety. (The vertical line in Figure ES-1 below from our report denotes the timing of PHMSA’s issuance of the DIMP and the Call to Action.)” Link. | National Grid Customers in NYC Will See Higher Gas Bills this Winter – Rosemary Misdary – Gothamist - “National Grid customers in parts of New York City will see their natural gas bills increase this winter. Bills for approximately 1.2 million customers in parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island will rise by an average of $87 over five months this coming winter compared to last year, the utility said on Wednesday. While this season's gas prices are expected to be lower compared to a year ago, the bigger bill – which will cover November through March – is due to higher delivery costs. Those costs, which the state approved in 2024, are due to go up by an average of $211 over the same period.” Link. | Gas Utility Depreciation: Recommendations for an Uncertain Future - Joe Dammel, Mike Henchen, and Alaa Qarooni - RMI - “How commissions can adapt cost recovery strategies to manage uncertainty, protect ratepayers, and reduce long-term financial risk in the United States.” Link. | | Editor’s note: Some of the building decarbonization articles we cover focus on air source heat pumps (ASHPs). The ascribed benefits of ASHPs usually also apply to ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), but these two technologies can have significantly different impacts. ASHP efficiency drops during extreme temperatures, increasing peak demand and potentially straining the electric grid. In contrast, GSHPs maintain high efficiency year-round, helping meet climate goals without overloading the grid. NY-GEO continues to advocate for policies that make ultra-efficient GSHPs the default choice in New York. | | |
NY-GEO Conference Highlights
| | All 1,400 Photos from the NY-GEO 2026 Conference in Brooklyn are posted! - See if you can find your picture at this easy to navigate Google Photos link. | | |
Presentation Recordings Are Now Available for All Sessions @ NY-GEO 2026 Brooklyn - We are pleased to announce that the curated content from NY-GEO 2026 Brooklyn is now available on our website. You can access all the NY-GEO 2026 recordings and slide deck materials here.
NY-GEO Conference Archive 2023-2025 Resource Now Available
With the addition of the Brooklyn 2026 program, NY-GEO now offers 141 educational sessions online, spanning 2023 through 2025. This extensive resource is designed to answer your questions and further the progress of GHP and Thermal Technologies. We extend our sincere gratitude to the professionals whose support makes NY-GEO Conferences possible. Find NY-GEO Conference Archive 2023-2025 landing page here.
NY-GEO 2027 Saratoga Springs - Looking ahead, please join us in Saratoga Springs April 26-28. As a valued member of our community, you are receiving the first opportunity to register, exhibit, and sponsor. Begin your preparations now for NY-GEO 2027 Saratoga Springs - Learn more here.
| Not a member of NY-GEO? Why Not? Seriously - you should join here. | | "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 | Taking Bets on the Overshoot – Cecilia Keating, Robert McSweeney - Carbon Brief - “Last week, around 180 scientists, researchers and legal experts gathered in Laxenburg, Austria to attend the first-ever international conference focused on the controversial topic of climate ‘overshoot’. This hypothesised scenario would see global temperatures initially ‘overshoot’ the Paris Agreement’s aspirational limit of 1.5C, before they are brought back down through techniques that would remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.” Editor’s note: That passage comes across as a bit too optimistically glib on the potential for the success of carbon removal. Link. | |
Sample of quotes cited in this article.
Isaias Made It to Northern Alabama. The Consequences Were Deadly. Lee Hedgepeth - Inside Climate News – “Devolin ‘Bobo’ Webster was killed by a falling tree as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias swept through Alabama. His death illustrates the dangers tropical systems pose far inland… Webster is one of eight people whose deaths officials have attributed to Isaias and its aftermath: two in Alabama and six in Florida… Because of Birmingham’s location hundreds of miles from the Gulf Coast, (nephew Paul) Evans said his uncle likely hadn’t done much to prepare for the weather event.” Link.
| Climate Change Is Increasing Simultaneous Exposure to Heat Waves and Wildfire Smoke – Katie Surma – Inside Climate News – “Heat and wildfire smoke are dangerous on their own. A new study says more people are facing both at once.” Link. | |
EVENTS:
*Indicates a New Listing
** Indicates Updated Information
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*2026 10 19 - Messaging Climate in the Largest U.S. City: Lessons from the NYC Climate Office - Noon ET – Yale School of the Environment - “Under New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the NYC Climate Office has proposed several initiatives to improve affordability, health, and climate change… How is New York City effectively engaging its residents in climate solutions, and what can other urban areas learn from its approach? Please join us for a conversation with NYC Chief Climate Officer Louise Young, moderated by Dr. Karen Seto, Professor at the Yale School of the Environment and Director of the Hixon Center for Urban Sustainability.” Register here.
*2026 10 20th to 23rd – Greenbuild International Conference & Expo - Javitz Center – NY, NY - “With 100+ sessions and 300+ industry speakers at Greenbuild 2026, whether you're focused on new construction, existing buildings, affordable housing, or any other building topic, Greenbuild's speakers share global perspectives and recent case studies that will guide you through your challenges.” Register here.
2026 10 21 - Geothermal in Action: Real-World Strategies for Optimizing Complex Facilities - 1:00 pm ET – International District Energy Association - “…a practical look at how geothermal solutions are being put to work in complex facilities—and the real-world strategies helping organizations optimize performance, efficiency and long-term value. Can’t make it live? Register anyway, and we’ll send the recording and slides straight to your inbox the very next day.” Register here.
2026 10 23 - New Piping and Multi-Source Design Concepts for ATL Systems - – 11:30 am ET – IGSHPA October Town Hall – Gaylord Olson, inventor or co-inventor of 12 patents - “As ATL (Ambient Temperature Loop) Thermal Energy Network (District) Systems continue to evolve, there are significant opportunities to optimize the available land space, combine with thermal storage, incorporate hybrid systems, and use methods for piping that can maximize all sources of energy transfer. This presentation will explore design concepts that the presenter recommends for additional research. The goal is a design with a lower total cost of ownership than what is currently being done and a network that is easily expandable in all directions. Register here.
2026 10 27 and 28 -HEET Hosts IGSHPA Installer and Service Technician Trainings in Framingham, MA – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm ET at 19 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA – “HEET is excited to host the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) to lead GSHP Residential Installer and GSHP Residential Service Technician trainings. In support of HEET’s DOE award and the Framingham Networked Geothermal Expansion, these trainings aim to develop the skilled and certified geothermal workforce in advance of the project’s building-side construction work in 2027. The Residential Installer training will be on the 27th, and the Service Technician training on the 28th. Thanks to the City of Framingham for allowing us to use their geothermally conditioned space! Email kari.bender@heet.org with any questions.”
*2026 10 28 – Incentives for ASHP & GSHP Heat Pumps in New Construction and Round Seven of the Buildings of Excellence Competition – 10:00 am ET – NYSERDA - “With up to $1.5 million available for selected projects, the Buildings of Excellence Competition recognizes and rewards the design, construction, and operation of resilient, high-performance multifamily buildings that are healthier for residents and their communities. NYSERDA will also highlight new offerings available for residential new construction projects through the New Efficient Homes New York Enhanced Design Support and Heat Pump Incentive programs." Register here.
2026 11 04 - LMI EE/BE Quarterly Forum - 10:00 am – 3:15 ET – “DPS Staff invites you to attend the latest Low & Moderate Income (LMI) Energy Efficiency/Building Electrification (EE/BE) Quarterly Forum. This conference continues the quarterly discussions of LMI EE/BE program performance. It will be held in-person in New York City with an option to join virtually via Webex.” Register Here.
2026 11 10 - Projected Design Life of Plastic Piping Used in Geothermal Ground Heat Exchangers - 11:30 am ET - NY-GEO Lunch n Learn - -Piping Updates to CSA/ANSI/IGSHPA C448 Series: 25 presented by: Lance MacNevin, P.Eng., The Plastics Pipe Institute. Register here.
Remaining Building Performance + HVAC Conferences Happening in 2026 – Compiled by Britt Heller at Heatspring Magazine
*2027 02 – 8th to 10th - Building Performance Contractors Conference – Saratoga Springs - “The 2027 BPCA Elevating Building Performance Conference brings together contractors, industry professionals, program administrators, and partners from across New York State for another great opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate.” Register here.
2027 02 – 16th to 19th – Campus Energy 2027 – International District Energy Association (IDEA) – “CampusEnergy2027 brings together the broad campus district energy community—including campus leaders, operators and engineers, along with business partners, policymakers and innovators from across North America and around the world—to share practical experience, exchange ideas, and explore the technologies and strategies shaping the future of district energy.” Register Here.
2027 04 26th to 28th - NY-GEO 2027 Saratoga Springs - As a valued member of our community, you are receiving the first opportunity to register, exhibit, and sponsor. Begin your preparations now for NY-GEO 2027 Saratoga Springs - Learn more here.
2027 06 15th to 17th – Ground2Grid Thermal Energy Summit – BNP Media & The Driller – “…The first national event fully dedicated to the lifecycle of Thermal Energy Networks (TENs). Taking place…at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, Ground2Grid will convene a diverse community of industry pioneers, policymakers, engineers, financiers, developers, drillers, and community stakeholders to forge partnerships and accelerate the clean energy transition… Registration opens February 20, 2026.” More information.
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A New Gas Line or Cash to Electrify? California Lets Households Choose. - Alison F. Takemura – Canary Media – “Before replacing gas service lines, utilities will need to offer customers a financial incentive to electrify instead, thanks to a new law.” Link. Editor’s note: This program is similar to the ones mentioned above for Con Edison and National Grid. It is significant though in that it applies statewide in California.
New York PSC Audits Utility AI Use, Cites Risk in ‘Growing Dependency’ Robert Walton – Utility Dive – “Increasing use of AI systems to manage public utilities creates new risks for critical infrastructure, regulators said… The Sept. 17 order requires electric, gas and water utilities to respond within 60 days with ‘a written inventory report that describes all use cases of AI systems in their operations…’ New York regulators are concerned they are ‘susceptible to hallucinations, algorithmic biases, transparency issues, data privacy concerns, misconfiguration errors, cybersecurity attacks, and functional brittleness…’ ‘The rapid evolution of AI is a double-edged sword for utilities,’ PSC Chair Rory Christian said in a statement. ‘While AI can be a powerful tool that can result in cost efficiencies and improved operations, it also presents serious risks that must be evaluated and addressed appropriately.’ ” Link.
New York Candidates for Governor Clash Over Energy Policy – Lauren Dalban – Inside Climate News - “High utility bills, the state’s clean energy transition and data centers’ growing electricity needs emerged as flashpoints during a gubernatorial debate.” Link
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Opportunity for Heat Pumps to Put Downward Pressure on Electricity Rates - Ryan Shea, Xing Chen, Cameron Reaves, and Brett Webster – RMI – “A state-by-state assessment of how many homes could install heat pumps within today’s electric grid, how they will benefit electric rates and emissions, and recommended policies.” Link. Editor’s note: The issues raised in this report are important ones. We agree that increasing electricity demand during low demand periods (also known as grid utilization) can lower electricity bills. However, NY-GEO has a different view on the significance and timeline of winter peak. Air source heat pumps lose efficiency on the coldest days of the year while ground source heat pumps maintain efficiency as their heat source is a consistent underground temperature. As the heating sector is electrified, it is crucial that a significant percentage of heat pumps installed are ground source to avoid crushing infrastructure costs to increase winter grid capacity, and this trend needs to start as soon as possible in order to be effective.
Residential Virtual Power Plants Could Slash the Average Household’s Bill Increase in Half Over the Next Five Years – Robert Walton - Utility Dive - “If all U.S. electric utilities were to achieve a 4% system peak reduction utilizing residential virtual power plants, the resource could help reduce bill increases for average households by more than half over the next five years, according to a report from The Brattle Group. The 4% target is already being achieved by the top 10% of utility demand response programs, the report noted. A ‘substantial pool of flexible capacity already exists’ in connected thermostats, electric vehicles and batteries, Brattle said.”. Link.
NYPA Disadvantaged Community Funding Includes Geo Among Eligible Clean Energy Projects– Kylie Murphy – New York Power Authority (NYPA) Request for Applications – “Through this program, the Clean Energy for Community Impact (CECI) Initiative will provide funding (to municipalities, non- profit institutions of higher learning and recipients of NYPA power programs) for the identification, origination and development of clean energy projects that have potential for positive community impact and would otherwise not be originated or subsequently developed if not for this support. This funding specifically supports targeted activities that advance eligible clean energy projects while improving affordability for New York State’s Disadvantaged Communities and communities with a nexus to NYPA and contributes to New York State’s broader climate and clean energy goals.” Link.
US Clean Energy Jobs Fell in 2025 for the First Time in Years - Julian Spector – Canary Media – “Employment in the sector dipped in Donald Trump’s first year back in office — and many more expected jobs won’t materialize thanks to canceled clean energy projects.” Link.
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3 Million NY Energy Rebate Checks Delivered; 5.2 Million More on the Way – WHAM – “About 3 million New Yorkers have received energy rebate checks of up to $200, with another 5.2 million checks expected to be sent in the coming weeks, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday (2026 10 15). The one-time payments are part of the state's $1 billion Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate (POWER) program… No application is required. The state Tax Department is automatically mailing checks to eligible New Yorkers.” Link.
Why the Solar Industry Keeps Banking on Republicans – Sammy Roth – Climate Colored Goggles – “Highlights from my conversation with Tim Pawlenty, the Solar Energy Industries Association’s new president and CEO.” Link.
NYSERDA’s Weekly Energy and Fuel Markets Report - Joseph Osso at NYSERDA - Link.
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Frequent Sources for Just In! briefs:
City & State First Read
POLITICO (Weekly NY & NJ Energy email)
Canary Media
Sunstone Strategies & the National Building Electrification Network
HEATMAP - We don't directly link to HEATMAP articles because they're behind a paywall, but HEATMAP is well worth subscribing to.
Author Bill McKibben's Crucial Years Blog
Renewable Energy World
ACHR News
Inside Climate News
Building Decarbonization Coalition
Renewable Heat Now
NY State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Just in! is produced each week by NY-GEO board member Bill Nowak. Thanks to fellow NY-GEO board member John Ciovacco of Aztech Geothermal for his weekly proofreading contributions to this publication. We welcome your feedback and suggestions sent to billnowa@gmail.com.
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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.
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