Geothermal Energy Feasibility Study

April 24, 2013

"This bill requires a study to be undertaken by the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability that explores the feasibility of developing geothermal energy resources in the City. Geothermal energy is the Earth’s stored thermal energy that is recovered in order to condition the air or generate electricity in buildings.  Installing a geothermal energy system can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a building or home,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

The final bill was sponsored by Council Members Gennaro, Garodnick, Brewer, Fidler, Gentile, James, Koppell, Lander, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Williams, Arroyo, Levin, Dromm, Van Bramer, Barron, Eugene, Greenfield, Jackson, Richards, Halloran and Ulrich.

“The study will include a summary of building characteristics that would be suitable for a retrofit installation of a geothermal system, a summary of federal, state, and city regulations for the installation and operation of a geothermal system, and a map that identifies areas of the City that would be appropriate for geothermal energy systems,” said the Mayor. In addition, the study will also make recommendations to promote the installation and use of geothermal systems in new construction, alterations, and retrofit of buildings.

The Mayor added, “I would like to thank Director of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability Sergej Mahnovski, Design and Construction Commissioner David Burney, and their staff for their work on this bill along with my Office of City Legislative Affairs.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation.”