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Cuomo announces program for geothermal heating, cooling rebates

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced an emergency program to rescue geothermal jobs in New York State, setting aside $15 million over two years in geothermal heating and cooling rebates for New Yorkers.

Geothermal installations use the constant temperature under the ground’s frost line to renewably heat and cool homes and businesses without producing greenhouse gases on site. This industry is key to New York reaching its 40 percent greenhouse gas reduction goal by 2030 as more than a third of the State’s greenhouse gases come from the heating sector. Over 1,000 New York jobs in the industry had been put at risk by the sunset of a 30 percent federal tax credit which faces dim prospects of renewal with federal energy policy now firmly controlled by fossil fuel interests.

Cuomo had been urged to act by a wide ranging coalition of environmental organizations, local elected officials and geothermal businesses. The Governor’s announcement comes as part of a comprehensive draft Renewable Heating and Cooling Policy Framework that he released on Feb. 7.

The emergency program allocates $15 million over the next two years, which will support geothermal installation rebates of $6,000 for an average sized home. Geothermal is one of the least expensive ways to heat and cool, but the up-front costs of installing thermal exchange pipes below the frost line is a barrier for many businesses and homeowners. The rebates are set at a minimal level to stimulate the market for 2 years while longer term plans are put in motion. The longer term goal is to allow market mechanisms to absorb the up-front costs, leading to a widespread transition to renewable heating and cooling.

The geothermal initiative fits well with Cuomo’s commitment that 50 percent of New York’s electricity will come from renewables by 2030. The combination of geothermal for heating and cooling and solar panels to generate electricity is the most direct path to eliminating carbon emissions from homes and businesses in New York.

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