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Spotlight on environmental advancements: I am super excited to report that Ossining will have the first geothermal well in New York State. The first site chosen is our very own development at 30 Water Street all affordable Housing Development. To learn more, click here: Affordable housing project to use geothermal energy
The ultimate goal of the recently passed legislation is to bring the cleanest heating and cooling technology with the lowest operating costs to more New Yorkers. The legislation was spearheaded by New York State Senator Peter Harckham and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick. The legislation removes outdated regulatory requirements that unnecessarily place geothermal boreholes under regulatory requirements designed for oil and gas drilling. These existing regulations are unnecessary, as closed-loop geothermal boreholes do not involve injection into or extraction from the ground and thus do not pose an adverse impact on the environment. In fact, most environmental groups are big proponents of this advancement. Senator Harckham and Assemblywoman Glick, as chairs of their respective Environmental Conservation committees in the Senate and the Assembly, are once again demonstrating their commitment to renewable energy deployment and climate stewardship by advancing this legislation to accelerate the deployment of emissions-free geothermal heat pumps.
What is all this important?
- It will save NYS residents with geothermal on their utility bills; it is the most energy-efficient, and therefore the most affordable, way to heat and cool a homes.
- Will decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 70-80% when replacing electric resistance, fuel oil, propane, or gas heating systems.
- Embraces the Climate Action Council Scoping Plan recommended updating existing regulations to remove unnecessary restrictions on geothermal boreholes deeper than 500 feet.
- It will have an immediate, positive impact on the growth of New York's geothermal heating and cooling industry by bringing down installation costs and making more households eligible for geothermal systems.
- Removes impediments to geothermal installations while preserving installation quality and safety precautions through regulation under the Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water.
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