Below are G.E.T.’s top picks from NY-GEO’s weekly “Just-In” Newsletter. Just In! features three fresh news item summaries on the NY-GEO home page every Monday. NY-GEO members get the full newsletter, which includes an advanced look at the website articles, plus event listings and job openings and several bonus article summaries with links, usually on the Saturday before website publication.
Kavanaugh / Gallagher All-Electric Buildings Bill Gets a Jump-Start – By Samantha Maldonado – THE CITY – A “landmark bill introduced in May by Sen. Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) and Assembly member Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn), was amended in late October to accelerate timelines… (It) would require new buildings across the state to be all-electric by 2024.” Speaking a NYC press conference on the bill, NY-GEO Director of Operations John Rath said “Without the type of clear writing on the wall provided by this fantastic bill, it is not clear that any amount of cost cutting or education will move the construction industry away from climate wrecking fossil fuels. NY-GEO has seen cost competitive geothermal proposals rejected simply because the contractors were more comfortable and familiar with fossil fuel heating. Senator Kavanaugh’s bill gives the strong market signal needed to get builders in sync with NY’s climate goals.” Full article here, and the press release here.

Senator Brian Kavanaugh (with microphone) , NY-GEO Director of Operations John Rath and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher at the November 1st press conference.
Geothermal Opportunity – “Metro IAF and BlocPower are seeking HVAC partners for clean-energy demonstration projects in community institutions in New York. With financial incentives from NYSERDA, and financing from BlocPower, we are carrying out 35 retrofit projects involving the replacement of fossil-fuel heating systems with heat-pump heating and cooling systems. Deadline: Nov. 23. We have immediate need for heat-pump contractors in New York City and the following counties: Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Nassau, Suffolk and Tomkins. As this effort expands, we will have projects in additional counties. Typical projects will involve designing and installing air-source heat-pump systems in religious congregations or public libraries. Some projects may involve ground-source heat pumps. These demonstration projects will be used to publicly highlight the benefits and feasibility of electrification retrofits. As a condition of receiving NYSERDA subsidy (in addition to Clean Heat subsidy), these projects must also meet research and workforce development program requirements. Please fill out this form to respond to our request for proposals.“

Donnel Baird, CEO of BlocPower
RESPECT – Reforming Energy System Planning for Equity and Climate Transformation – Acadia Center’s RESPECT proposal outlines key reforms to utility planning processes to ensure that utility investments and decision-making are aligned with state goals to address climate pollution, further environmental justice, and lower consumer costs. RESPECT focuses on achieving change at the scale and speed of the climate crisis by putting public policy decisions squarely on the shoulders of state decision-makers and re-focusing the role of the utility on what it does best—operating a reliable power and heat system and serving customers. Click here to download the report.
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