NYC Mayor Signs Landmark Geothermal Bill Into Law

“As a clean, renewable source of power, geothermal heat is exactly the type of innovation that will help New York become a greener, more sustainable city.”

JUST A LITTLE AFTER HIGH NOON, NYC Mayor De Blasio signed Int 0609-2015 into law. Present at the signing were geothermal advocates, Bob Wyman, and John Rhyner shown directly behind Samara Swanston, Legislative Counsel (in pink). At far right is Alex Posner, NYC Department of Design and Construction. Councilman Costa Constantinides, author of the geothermal bill is at left with the pen in his hand.

In December, the City Council voted unanimously to pass the bill, requiring all City owned buildings to undergo a cost efficiency analysis to determine favorability of geothermal systems. The bill promotes the use of geothermal systems, an energy-efficient form of cooling and heating buildings throughout the city. The long-term impact of carbon emissions will be considered as part of a cost-efficiency analysis for installing geothermal in city-owned buildings.

Regarding any concerns about up front costs and space constraints related to geothermal heating and cooling systems, NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said, “As a clean, renewable source of power, geothermal heat is exactly the type of innovation that will help New York become a greener, more sustainable city.”

Additional persons pictured: Woman in yellow-Nilda Mesa, head of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability; the man to her left-Dr. Feniosky Pena-Mora, Commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction; to Ms. Swanston's left is Nicholas Widzowski, Legislative Director for Councilman Costa Constantinides.