Just In! for January 6, 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.

DOE Seeks Input on Zero Emission Building Definition – “DOE’s Technologies Office (BTO) has released a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on Part 1 of a draft National Definition for a Zero Emissions Building. Part 1 of the definition will focus on zero operating emissions. Future parts of this definition will likely include embodied carbon, refrigerants, and other key elements. As is proposed currently, the definition of a zero operating emissions building is one that is:

1. Highly energy efficient,
2. Free of on-site emissions from energy use, and
3. Powered solely from clean energy” Article link here.

Zero Place is a net-zero, geothermally heated and cooled multi-use building in New Paltz, New York

Comments Sought on Cost Effectiveness of Energy Code Updates - “NYSERDA is requesting comments on the new Part 510 of Title 21 of the Official Compilations of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (Proposed Rule).

The purpose of this Proposed Rule is to:

1. Establish a methodology for determining whether the life-cycle costs for a building will be recovered through savings in energy costs over the design life of the building under a life-cycle cost analysis
2. Define societal effects to be considered in the cost effectiveness determination
3. Provide a method for quantifying the societal effects so that they can be included in the overall cost effectiveness analysis.”

To learn more about the Proposed Rule and to submit comments please click this link.

Webinar screen from a meeting of the NYS Fire Prevention and Building Codes Council

Analysis of PSC Order on National Fuel’s Plan – Lissa Harris – Empire of Dirt – “The PSC didn’t exactly tell National Fuel their gas plan is garbage. But they did tell them to go back and do a bunch of homework on their unrealistic claims about hydrogen and RNG. And they will also have to work on programs that provide alternatives to gas heat, like heat pumps.” Thanks to Anshul Gupta of the Climate Reality Project for this tip. Article link here (scroll down to Catching National Fuel...) 



Appliance Standards, Electrification and their Impacts on Gas Prices – Joe Wachunas – Electrify Now Webinars - “…energy efficiency standards for gas furnaces and water heaters have hardly changed in over 30 years. The Department of Energy is poised to update standards on these two home appliances and the new efficiency requirements could dramatically accelerate the use of heat pumps nationally… These increased efficiency standards combined with the continuing phase out of fossil gas combustion through city and state electrification mandates and air quality regulations, are expected to increase fossil gas prices over the coming years. As more homes are electrified and leave the gas system, a new study from ACEEE … finds that average gas utility costs per customer can increase between 21% and 129%.” The following link describes this analysis and includes registration for a January 25^th webinar on the topic. Article link here.

Gloom Not Doom: The Latest in the Berkeley Decarbonization Case – Daniel Carpenter-Gold, Staff Attorney - Public Health Law Center at Mitchell Hamline School of Law – “This week, the Ninth Circuit decided not to review its decision in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley, which struck down a Berkeley ordinance prohibiting gas infrastructure in most new buildings… Clearly this decision is a blow to both building decarbonization and to local control, but it only stops one type of regulation, in one part of the country. It will be crucial for policymakers and advocates to understand the limits of this opinion as well as its impacts, so as not to unnecessarily delay badly needed health and climate regulations.” Blog link here.

Guidance is Released on Investments in Disadvantaged Communities – NYSERDA Press Office – “The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today (2023 01 03) released draft guidance for State entities to inform the investments and benefits reporting on compliance with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (Climate Act) requirement that a minimum of 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the State’s clean energy investments benefit disadvantaged communities…Written comments on the proposed guidance may be submitted until close of business February 23, 2024.” Thanks to Irene Weiser of Fossil Free Tompkins for this tip. Press release link here.

NY Disadvantaged Communities Map – here is a link to a scalable and searchable version of the map

Interview on Climate Policies in NY City - Inside City Hall – Spectrum News – Errol Louis held a 9-minute interview with Pete Sikora of NY Communities for Change on climate issues including the City’s local laws 97 and 154. The later requires new buildings in the city to be all electric. The interview touched on the NY HEAT Act and around the 8-minute mark Sikora talked about geothermal heating and cooling: “It’s great stuff. The basic trade-off is Geothermal is more efficient but more expensive up front so it saves more money later.” Interview link here.

Pete Sikora, the climate campaigns director for the advocacy group, New York Communities for Change, joined Errol Louis on "Inside City Hall." (Spectrum News NY1)

The Clean Heat We Lose Down Our Drains – Anna Turns – BBC – “The residents of False Creek, a recently redeveloped neighbourhood of Vancouver, on the west coast of Canada, get their energy from a rather unusual renewable source – their sewage wastewater. Increasingly, municipalities around the globe are harnessing this underground form of excess heat as they decarbonise their energy networks…Once the heat running through False Creek's sewage pipes is recovered by heat pumps a five-mile-long (8.3km) pipe network, known as a thermal grid, distributes heat back to the district's 44 buildings. ” Thanks to NY-GEO member Paul Coons for this tip. Article link here. 

NYSERDA’s 8 Steps to Lower Your Carbon Footprint – High on the list is “Switch to Clean Heating and Cooling…New Yorkers who install an air source heat pump, ground source heat pump, or heat pump water heater in their home or business can qualify for NYS Clean Heat incentives and IRA tax credits. Note that ground source heat pumps also qualify for a New York State tax credit of up to $5,000 or 25% of the project cost.” Article link here.

You’re Invited to an Albany Event to Pass the NY HEAT Act – Click here or see more in the Events section below.

Another Take on Recent Hydrogen Tax Credits Announcements – Fatima Hussein and Jennifer McDermott - Associated Press in Power Engineering – “The proposal outlines a tiered system to determine which hydrogen producers get the most credits, with cleaner energy projects receiving more, and smaller, but still meaningful credits going to those that use fossil fuel to produce hydrogen.” Article link here

Canada: 100% Zero Emission New Car Vehicle Sales by 2035 – Mark Segal – ESG Today – “The government of Canada announced the publication of its completed new standard on the availability of electric vehicles, mandating annual increases in the proportion of sales of new zero emissions light duty vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks, with a target to reach 100% zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) sales by 2035.” Thanks to Jens Ponikau from Buffalo Geothermal for this tip. Article link here.

Contractor's Corner:

Plug Your Project on the NESEA 2024 Pro Tour – Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) – “Building Energy Pro Tours are accredited tours of high performance buildings that bring together the interdisciplinary teams that made them possible. They allow members of our community to learn about all aspects of cutting-edge projects, from design strategies and materials selection to construction techniques and energy systems.” Proposals are due January 16th Web link here.

Learn About Direct Pay Tax Credits – The Inflation Reduction Act creates the opportunity for local governments, churches, non-profits, etc. to get the direct payment of an incentive that would otherwise be a 30% tax credit for tax paying entities. See January 9^th in the events section below (green typeface) for an IRS webinar on this opportunity.

Slide from GeoExchange President Ryan Dougherty’s recent presentation on Direct Pay for the Beneficial Electrification League

Climate Updates:

Real Political Courage – Maybe the Dubai Declaration Really Did Mean Something - Bill McKibben – The Crucial Years – “…something important happened in London this afternoon (2023 01 05) that I imagine will go unreported in America—something courageous and something with real implications… Earlier today, Chris Skidmore, a Conservative MP and former Secretary of Energy in the Tory government, announced his resignation from Parliament.  Why?  Because next week that government, led by Rishi Sunak, is going to try and open up the North Sea to a huge new wave of oil and gas drilling.  It’s as if a Republican Senator said, I’m not running again because my party has become a subsidiary of the fossil fuel industry.” Skidmore’s statement references the Dubai commitment to “Transitioning away from fossil fuels” and he concludes: “We cannot expect other countries to phase out their fossil fuels when at the same time we continue to issue new licenses or to open new oil fields.” 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

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 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 09 – Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address - – 1:00 pm ET – Listen as the Governor outlines her plans for this year’s budget and legislative session. RSVP here.

*2024 01 09 - IRS Webinar on Direct/Elective Pay (Refundable) Tax Credits – 2pm 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 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 11 –Top 10 Key Performance Indicators for HVAC Contractors – 1:00 pm ET – Contractor University - “Every great business owner has key performance indicators they monitor in their business… But what should those KPIs be? Choosing the wrong KPIs, or not establishing them at all, could spell disaster. Join us in a can’t-miss webinar to learn those KPIs and determine:

• Are your prices set correctly?
• Are your sales close rates sufficient?
• Do you have enough service agreement customers?
• Are your service and maintenance techs turning over enough new leads?
• And much more! “  Register here

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 – 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 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 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 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

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.