Suffolk County Adopts First Uniform Geothermal Exchange Code in NY State (and Perhaps the US)

Suffolk County Legislators
with Geothermal Exchange Advocates at LI-GEO

(November 13, 2014- Long Island, NY)The Long Island Geothermal Exchange Organization (LI-GEO) hosted a press conference in which County Executive Steve Bellone joined the Suffolk County Planning Commission, PSEG Long Island (the local electric utility) and the Long Island Geothermal Energy Organization (LI-GEO) to announce the first uniform geothermal energy code for residential and commercial properties in New York State, and perhaps the US. The blueprint will help municipalities and private industry installers streamline the evaluation and installation process for geothermal energy systems throughout Suffolk County.

Integration of Solar and Geothermal
Renewable Energy Technologies 

Following closely in the footsteps of the remarkably successful solar initiatives of the last two years in which more than 6000 photo-voltaic (PV) systems were installed in Suffolk County, the new code is designed to encourage homeowners and business owners to explore alternative energy heating and cooling options, which have become an increasingly popular option for Long Islanders who are looking to switch to more energy efficient and renewable alternatives as well as benefit from long-term savings.

Geothermal Exchange Project Potential

In addition, PSEG Long Island has committed to provide implementation assistance of $10,000 to each township and $5,000 to the first ten villages with a population greater than 5000 in Suffolk and Nassau Counties that adopt the model geothermal code by March 31, 2015.

The Mid-Atlantic Region has a host of forward thinking entities that have lead the way in renewable energy initiatives, and this current initiative is likely to take hold nationally paving the way to wide spread geothermal growth in the US.  Among those on hand and likely to be following in short order were officials from the New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO). Other organizations to watch are the New England Geothermal Professional Association (NEGPA) and the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA).

For national geothermal exchange industry news and listings in your area, go to the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) websites.

Information contained in this blog is from various press releases and notes taken during attendance of the LI-GEO conference cited.

– Jay Egg is a geothermal consultant, writer, and the owner of EggGeothermal. He has co-authored two textbooks on geothermal HVAC systems published by McGraw-Hill Professional. He can be reached at jayegg.geo@gmail.com .