Just In! for February 4, 2023

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

Just In! is NY-GEO's weekly news feed for members. NY-GEO's calendar-year memberships are open to everyone and available for as little as $35. See more information on memberships here. If we send you a complementary 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.

Governor Hochul Releases Executive Budget Which Includes Bill Language Aimed at Moving Past Fossil Fuels – “Included in the Executive Budget is a proposed Climate Action Fund which is expected to deliver more than $1 billion in future Cap-and-Invest proceeds to New Yorkers every year.  The Executive Budget includes a proposal to advance renewable generation in New York State by granting the New York Power Authority the ability to help the State meet its aggressive renewable energy targets. The Executive Budget also includes nation-leading building decarbonization proposals that will prohibit fossil fuel equipment and building systems in new construction, phase out the sale and installation of fossil fuel space and water heating equipment in existing buildings, and establish building benchmarking and energy grades.”  The Executive Budget is released in the form of a series of bills. The Senate and Assembly will subsequently release their own “one-house budget” bills. Negotiations will ensue and when a final budget is adopted - scheduled for April 1^st - the adopted language becomes state law. See briefs below for more on the budget bill. Quote above is from the Governor’s Executive Budget website.

NY-GEO on the Executive Budget – NY-GEO has released the following statement following the release of Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget: "After two years of rigorous study and debate, with over 30,000 public comments received, NY’s Climate Action Council (CAC) has concluded that the only way, and the least expensive way, to reach our climate goals in the building sector is to quickly transition from fossil fuels to clean electricity as the source of our energy. This guidance should be front and center as Governor Hochul negotiates the budget with the Senate and the Assembly.”

Renewable Heat Now’s Release – RHN’s response acknowledged Governor Hochul’s “support for phasing out fossil fuel heating and appliances in new construction” but was critical of many elements of the budget bill, including the delay in the net zero new construction provisions, which would not start until December 31, 2025 in the Executive Budget language. RHN’s release also called for “a Green Affordable Pre-Electrification (GAP) fund, low interest financing, and additional funding for the NYSERDA’s Regional Clean Energy Hubs.”  RHN statement here.

Iowa Town Includes 12 Downtown Buildings in its Geo System – Jeff Geerts – Iowa Economic Development Authority – This article includes instructive details on how a town planned for and developed a district geothermal heating and cooling system. “West Union is a progressive county seat community of 2,486 people in far northeast Iowa …Interest in the system continues with the two largest downtown buildings, including the county courthouse, connecting to the system in the last year bringing to 12 the total number of businesses using the system. The district system has operated nearly flawless since coming online December 2013. System efficiency has been fantastic. It appears the system has much greater capacity than originally estimated based on system performance and the loads of current participating buildings” Thanks to NY-GEO member Brian Eden for this tip. Website here.

Rivera Introduces Geo Sales Tax Exemption Bill – With 27 Co-sponsors, Assembly Member Jon Rivera from Buffalo has introduced A-01575, a bill to exempt geothermal heat pump installations from sales taxes – a provision that currently applies to solar panels and commercial fuel cell electricity generating systems. Rivera is the Assembly lead sponsor of the residential geothermal tax credit, which was adopted as part of last year’s budget.  Bill language here.

A Look Inside a Geothermal System’s Performance – California Geothermal’s President Bill Martin often posts fascinating data and narratives. He recently posted the graphic below showing the performance of his geothermal system on a day that reached a low of 13 degrees F. Historic weather extremes at his Quincy, California home have reached -24 and +114 F. Note the steady temperatures in both his Zone 2 living space and the water temperature as it enters his heat pump, as well as the wild swing in his unheated attic temperature as the sun rises and falls.

Heat Pumps and the Super Soaker – Mike Munsell – Canary Media. The invention of the wildly popular Super Soaker water gun by climatetech entrepreneur Lonnie Johnson was inspired by Johnson’s work, in 1982, on a heat pump using water in place of freon. Johnson: “So the idea was for water to come through a nozzle, so that when the water vapor flash evaporates into a low-pressure region, that evaporation process will drop the temperature of the water… I was experimenting with some nozzles…and I had a nozzle I made in my shop hooked up to the bathroom sink, and I shot the stream of water across the bathroom, and I thought as a toy, it would be a lot more fun.” Full article here.

UK Neighborhood Goes Geo – Evie Townsend – Future Planet - “Ceri Simmons' home is toasty warm. Her living room is a jungle of hanging plants and, through the kitchen, glimpses of a wood-lined studio reveal Simmons' job as an aerial-yoga teacher. ‘It's not just lovely for me to have a warm house, it's also important for my clients,’ she says. The remote village of Stithians, close to the most south-westerly tip of the UK mainland, where the Simmons family live has become an unlikely frontier in the race to decarbonise heating. It is piloting a new approach to low-carbon heating which could be key to the rapid scale-up needed worldwide.” Thanks to NY-GEO member Paul Coons for this tip. Full article here

Rewiring America’s Heat Pump Fan Club Newsletter – “We are undeniably pro pump, but it’s not just us – our enthusiasm is backed up by national and global market trends.” Graphic below is from the newsletter.  Newsletter can be found here.

Current Status of Heating in New York City - Rachel Holliday Smith – The City - “A lack of heat in a New York City apartment is a common, chronic problem. Tens of thousands of complaints about a lack of heat or hot water are filed with the city’s housing department every year, making it the single most common recorded problem for tenants. So far this heat season, the city received nearly 116,000 complaints, records show.” Full article here.

Selling Natural Gas as Low Carbon – Jeffrey Ball - Canary Media - Seemingly weekly, a major U.S. industry player — a gas producer, a gas-pipeline operator, an LNG exporter — announces a claim that some of the gas from which it makes money has been produced in a way that’s extra-climate-conscious. At least eight of the 10 biggest producers of U.S. natural gas — among them ExxonMobil, BP, Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy — have made green-gas claims. S&P estimates that about one-quarter of all the natural gas produced in the U.S. is now being sold with some sort of certification of its carbon content, up from essentially zero a few years ago.” Full article here.

NYSERDA Weekly Energy and Fuels Markets Report – NYSERDA produces a weekly report that tracks fuel supplies and prices. Report website here.

Stove Study in NYCHA Apartments - WE ACT for Environmental Justice has completed a 2-year pilot program and study on the impacts on indoor air pollution when transitioning from gas to induction stoves. The pilot, called Out of Gas, In with Justice was conducted at 1471 Watson Avenue in the Bronx, which is slated to be the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) first all-electric building conversion. WE ACT noted “The study is the first in the United States to monitor indoor air quality in homes transitioning from gas stoves to electric induction stoves with residents in-place in affordable housing…During WE ACT’s 10-month air quality monitoring period, we found households with induction stoves experienced a 35 percent reduction in daily nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations compared to those using gas stoves, when controlling for temperature and apartment-level factors” Links to the study report and a 3 minute video can be found here.

NYS Agencies Outline Programs Providing Winter Energy Assistance – On January 26^th, several NYS agencies held a webinar outlining available state assistance programs, funding levels, incentives, procedures and eligibility for residents and contractors seeking information about home winterization. Topics included heating and cooling systems, building improvements, windows, winterization techniques, home audits and education resources. Thanks to NY-GEO Director of Operations JR Rath for this tip. A YouTube recording of the session is available here.

2023 RHN Legislative and Budget Agenda - The Renewable Heat Now Campaign (RHN) is organizing to win funding and policies that will move fossil fuels out of our buildings affordably and equitably. The legislative package includes the All-Electric New Building Act (S00562-A/A00920-A) - Kavanaugh/Gallagher) that would sunset fossil fuels in new construction starting January 1, 2024. It also includes the NY Home Energy Equitable Transition (HEAT) Act – (S2016 - Krueger) and the Energy Efficiency, Equity and Jobs Act (S3126c/A3996c) – Parker/Hunter). In addition, RHN has also released an agenda for the NYS budget, which is currently being negotiated by the Governor and the Legislature. See more on the Renewable Heat Now Legislative Package here.

NY-GEO Member Map-Here's the map we refer folks to when we get requests for services or interest in a geothermal install.

Click here or on the image above to see the live version of the map

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

2023 04 26-27 – Conference Registration Is OPEN - NY-GEO’s annual conference brings together the best of the best in the geothermal heat pump industry. The conference will be hosted at the Albany Marriott April 26-27 and will include dynamic Main Stage presenters, educational breakout sessions, dynamic exhibitors showcasing equipment and information, along with plenty of time to mix, mingle and connect. To register and learn more, click here. The intro overview details the early bird and member discounts. To learn more about sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities click here. To reserve a room at the Albany Marriott at the NY-GEO 2023 rate (which expires April 14^th) click here.

2023 02 08 - Delivering a Geo Solution in Dense Urban Areas- 11:30 am ET – Tony Amis of Endurant – “This presentation will discuss how energy foundations were successfully used on a commercial building as part of delivering an all-electric building in lower Manhattan, New York, and will provide some lessons learned and guidance on future projects.” Register here.

*2023 02 08 –Home of the Future – How to Electrify Your Life - 1:00 pm ET – Canary Media hosts “…three experts who are helping Americans from all walks of life shift their homes to clean energy and make those homes more comfortable and healthy. Register here.

2023 02 09 – Renewable Heat Now Power Hour – 7:00-8:00 pm ET – Renewable Heat Now (RHN) is organizing intensively for a package of NY legislature bills designed to aid NY’s transition to clean, fossil-fuel free heating. Join RHN for its monthly strategy meeting designed to inspire and inform. Register here.

2023 02 16 - Networked Geothermal Heat Pump Systems as an Alternative to Natural Gas - 11:00 am -12:00 pm ET John P. Ciovacco, CGD, the President of Aztech Geothermal will be giving a virtual presentation the rapidly emerging topic of Networked Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. The seminar will cover the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), expanding and extending federal tax incentives, the Utility Thermal Energy & Jobs Act (UTENJA) requiring all major utilities to file their plans for networked geothermal pilot projects and NYSERDA’s Community Heat Pump Systems program. This seminar is only one session in the larger two-day Capital District Engineers Week designed to give engineers the opportunity to earn up to 10 PDH credits over two days (5 sessions/day), February 16^th & 17^th for a flat $150 registration fee. Information and registration.

2023 03 09 – 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 link here.

Can You Find Your Picture from NY-GEO 2022? – Over 1,000 pictures from NY-GEO’s annual conference have made it to the web. See if you can find yourself among the 450 who took part in this groundbreaking event that annually celebrates and advances the most efficient and economical way to heat and cool our homes and places of work. Check out these pictures shot by Rachel Collett and John Ciovacco. Here’s Day 1 and here’s Day 2

List of Climate Tech Job Boards - Elaine Reddy – Ad Hoc Group – The Ad Hoc Group has put together a list of 27 climate tech related job boards.

Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) seeks:

- an Outreach Manager to develop outreach strategies for the newly created Central New York Clean Energy Hub, which will connect people to the clean energy economy and its benefits, including clean energy careers, improved energy affordability, home improvements, and rebates for businesses and transportation. The Outreach Manager will be managing a 4-person outreach team and coordinating all aspects of outreach to community members throughout the Central New York Region.

- four Energy Advisors for the CNY Clean Energy Hub to reach diverse communities throughout CNY with Hub materials, workshops, and energy affordability/clean energy opportunities.

- a Regulatory Attorney/Regulatory Advocate to spearhead our work in utility rate cases and regulatory proceedings in New York State advancing building electrification, ending our dependence on methane gas, increasing energy efficiency, energy affordability, and renewable energy generation, and preventing false solutions from capturing public funding.

- a Communications Director to build a public face for AGREE in our local Central New York community as well as across the state in order to support ongoing campaigns, respond to real-time developments and policy emergencies, and strategically raise AGREE’s profile and increase our constituent base.

(listed January 14, 2023) The postings are available here.



PWGC Environmental Engineers, Bohemia, NY - Geothermal Engineer – PWGC, a multi-year award-winning environmental engineering firm seeks an experienced professional engineer for closed loop geothermal projects in the downstate New York area. Expert knowledge of commercial building sciences, mechanical system design, conventional HVAC, heat pump technologies, building automation and energy modeling applications. This position requires 5-10 years related experience, bachelor’s degree in civil, mechanical or chemical engineering and a PE License. Advanced knowledge of CAD 3D and 4D software and REVIT. Interested? Send your resume to hr@pwgrosser.com or apply on our website at pwgrosser.com/careers 

PUSH Policy Coordinator - People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH Buffalo) seeks a Policy Coordinator to support the work of the Policy & Strategy department, with a focus on local, state, and regional climate and environmental justice policies in the areas of transportation electrification, power generation, building decarbonization, and equitable investment. (listed 2022 08 27) The posting is available here



Sustainable Westchester - Clean Energy Associate, EnergySmart Homes. (Location: Mount Kisco, NY) - The Community Energy Advisor (CEA) is a full time position at Sustainable Westchester. This position will provide assistance, direction, organization, coordination of programs that work to inform residents, multifamily building owners, and small businesses, with an emphasis in low-to-moderate income and priority communities, of the options for adopting clean energy strategies in their homes and businesses. $50k-$60k/year. (listed 2022 08 06) The posting is available here

Sustainable Westchester - Marketing, Communications and Outreach Director. (Location: Mount Kisco, NY) The Director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach will be responsible for developing and implementing Sustainable Westchester’s marketing, communication and outreach plans & strategies including public relations, digital communications, key messaging, storytelling and brand experience. $75k-$80k/year.  (listed 2022 08 06) The posting is available here

Clean Energy Associate (PAID INTERNSHIP) - Sustainable Westchester aims to educate and train the next generation of leaders in sustainability in Westchester. We hire students and recent graduates who have the skills, passion, intelligence and maturity to take on significant responsibility to help bring clean energy solutions to our residents. Throughout the duration of the position, associates may work with elected officials, municipal leaders, community members, subject matter experts, and consultants to provide a one-of-a-kind experience. We are committed to providing these valuable work opportunities to people from communities that have been underrepresented in the environmental field. (listed 2022 08 06) See Sustainable Westchester website for more.

Rewiring America – Federal Senior Policy Manager – The FSPM will own and drive critical efforts to influence federal policy initiatives. This role will manage the Federal policy team and lobbyists, lead the strategy and execution of federal policy, oversee targeted research and the drafting of key content, and provide critical perspectives in support of the multi-pronged policy strategy for Rewiring. This important work will continue and grow Rewiring America’s ability to affect federal policy, removing key barriers for electrification. (listed 2022 07 09) The posting is available here.

Rewiring America – Local Policy Director - With a clear vision, smart strategies, and significant and sustained financial support, Rewiring America is growing rapidly. As the Local Policy Manager on the Policy team you will lead on efforts to influence local policy initiatives around the country, particularly in public schools. This role will drive policy strategy, targeted research, support the drafting of policy and campaign documents, and provide input into the policy team’s public school electrification work. (listed 2022 07 09) The posting is available here.

Sierra Club Campaign Representative - Building Electrification (Location: MA/CT) - The Sierra Club seeks a strategic, collaborative, and equity-focused Campaign Representative to advance initiatives to end fossil fuel use in homes and buildings across Massachusetts and Connecticut. In this newly created position, the Campaign Representative will join a regional team that is working to address the climate crisis by moving the Northeast from dirty to clean energy… They represent Sierra Club to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, allies and other organizations, and the public. (listed 2022 07 09) The posting is available here. 

 The Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee Finger Lakes Region – Is looking to hire two staff members: 

·    The Manager of Organizational Programs will lead our efforts to educate, inspire, and support businesses and nonprofits that want to take action on climate.

·    The Program Director will be in charge of developing an exciting new program that we're not allowed to talk about until our contract with the funder is fully executed (which makes the hiring process a bit complicated). (listed 2022 05 28). The posting is available here. 

Hudson Valley Climate Leadership Coordinator-The Hudson Valley Regional Council is hiring for a full-time Climate Leadership Coordinator. The successful applicant will carry out tasks related to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Leadership Support Services Program for the seven-county Mid-Hudson Region. The Regional Council is looking forward to welcoming another collaborative, passionate, and motivated member to the team!  (listed 2022 05 14) The posting is available here.

Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) – is excited to announce that our organization is growing, and we are looking to fill the key position of Research Fellow. We seek passionate, intelligent, and kind people who work well both independently and as part of a team, and who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuff done.” (listed 2022 04 09).

Acadia Center is Hiring - for an energy efficiency and building energy justice manager, a senior energy attorney and a climate and energy policy analyst (listed 2022 03 05)  Click here for more information.

“Energy Department Will Recruit 1,000 Additional Staffers For New Corps To Tackle The Climate Crisis • The DOE is starting up a Clean Energy Corps to help implement the bipartisan infrastructure law and develop clean-energy solutions to the climate crisis, the agency said. It will hire 1,000 new employees through a newly launched hiring portal.” (from 2022 01 14 Green Energy News) [CNN]

HVAC Project Manager – Aztech Geothermal, Ballston Spa, NY – Aztech Geothermal, a well-respected Geothermal Heat Pump design-build contractor, is seeking an experienced HVAC Project Manager responsible for estimating project costs, purchasing/sourcing materials & equipment, project planning including management of technicians and subcontractors. This position requires 3-5+ years' experience in Residential &/or Commercial HVAC, including AC/heat pump equipment, power and control wiring, HVAC plumbing, and sheetmetal/air distribution systems. Strong candidates must be comfortable with computers and common Microsoft programs with ability to learn industry specific analysis software. Interested? Send your resume to info@aztechgeo.com.

Mechanical Design Engineer – Geothermal Focus – CHA Consulting - CHA Consulting, Inc. is an innovative, full-service engineering consulting and construction management firm working to responsibly improve the world we live in. Currently seeking a PE mechanical engineer with experience in the design of geothermal systems to support building scale and district geothermal project development, feasibility, design and construction. CGD certification preferred. Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Northern NJ or Boston based. More here (Listed 2021 10 04)

UHAB is Hiring -UHAB (Urban Homesteading Assistance Board ) is hiring a Project Associate focusing on Energy Services, including Co-ops Go Solar, Clean Heat for Co-ops, and other energy efficiency and energy-reducing renewable technology partnerships... We also have a few other positions posted, for a part-time Affordable Housing Loan Officer, and a full-time Project Associate on the Co-op Improvement Program who’ll provide services to distressed affordable buildings. All of the job postings are viewable on our website here. I appreciate your help to get the word out within your networks!” From email from Emily Ng.

Aztech Geothermal is Hiring- Seeking an Experienced Heat Pump Technician in NY's Capital District - Aztech Geothermal is looking for an Experienced Residential HVAC Technician in the Capital Region to join our growing installation and service business based in Ballston Spa. Geothermal heat pump experience a plus. but not required; we are willing to train the right individual. Our company is based in Ballston Spa and principally serves the Capital District, Hudson Valley and Western Massachusetts. More Information

“Dandelion Energy is growing its Drilling Department and we are looking for Senior/Master Drillers to operate our new rigs and lead our on-site drilling efforts for residential geothermal projects.In this role, you will make a significant impact in redefining how residential ground heat exchangers are installed which will lay the groundwork for Dandelion’s future growth and success. The Senior Driller will be directly responsible for the production rate of geothermal boreholes, the operation, and maintenance of equipment, the safety of on-site workers, and delivering feedback to both the Operations and Engineering team on how to optimize the overall process. For more information about the Senior Driller opening please apply here: https://boards.greenhouse.io/dandelionenergy/jobs/4879245002

Not a Senior Driller? check out our other exciting opportunities on our career site: https://dandelionenergy.com/jobs”

 

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:

NYSERDA Career Opportunities

NY Green Bank Career Opportunities

Paid Fellowship Opportunities

Paid Internship Opportunities

To learn more about NYSERDA, please visit our social media channels.



NY-GEO is not necessarily notified when jobs are filled. If you find one of these jobs are no longer available, please let us know.