New York Geothermal Energy Organization NY-GEO is a non-profit trade association representing the geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry in New York State. She urges the New York Senate to pass bill S6604, following bipartisan approval by the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee and passage of companion bill A6949 by the New York State Assembly.
The law contributes to the energy transition
The legislation, spearheaded by New York State Senator Peter Harckham and Congresswoman Deborah Glick, removes outdated regulatory requirements that unnecessarily subject geothermal drilling to regulations designed for oil and gas development. These existing regulations are superfluous, as closed-loop geothermal drilling does not involve injection or extraction from the ground, and therefore has no negative impact on the environment.
Ground-source heat pumps are already among the lowest-cost heating and cooling systems for New York homes and businesses. Passage of Bill S6604/A6949 will save New York State residents with geothermal heat pumps money on their energy bills, as this is the most energy-efficient and therefore affordable way to heat and cool a home. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70-80% when replacing resistive electric, oil, propane or gas heating systems.
Remove unnecessary restrictions
This legislation is part of the Council’s Climate Action Plan, which recommends updating existing regulations to remove unnecessary restrictions on geothermal drilling above 500 feet. It will have an immediate and positive impact on the growth of New York’s geothermal heating and cooling industry by reducing installation costs and making more households eligible for geothermal systems.
Finally, it removes obstacles to geothermal installations while preserving installation quality and safety measures through regulations under the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Division. By removing geothermal boreholes over 500 feet from regulations designed for oil and gas wells, the legislation allows geothermal installers to drill fewer boreholes, saving time and money in the installation process. The legislation will also improve the consistency of geothermal installations and safety measures by consolidating all geothermal regulations under the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Division, which currently regulates geothermal drilling less than 500 feet deep.
