Policy & Legislative Priorities
Making geothermal accessible to all New Yorkers
What NY-GEO is pushing for through 2028, the bills we back this session, and every filing we've made on behalf of our members — in one place.
2026 – 2027/2028
Our strategic initiatives
Seven fronts where NY-GEO is working to put geothermal at the center of New York's energy future.
Rate Design Advocacy
The PSC petition, Steady Use Rate expansion, and defaulting heat pump customers onto fair rates.
Cap-and-Invest Positioning for Geothermal
Securing geothermal's place in New York's cap-and-invest program before the window closes.
G-REC: Geothermal Renewable Energy Credits
Credit geothermal installations for the renewable energy they deliver (S9648).
Federal Tax Policy
Section 48, split ownership, and IRA provisions that keep geothermal projects financeable.
Thermal Energy Networks as a Distinct Market
Recognize thermal energy networks as their own market category.
Data Centers & Building Code Standards
Data center legislation and code standards that put geothermal heating and cooling to work.
Grid of the Future
Regulatory reform proceedings shaping how New York plans and pays for its grid.
2026 Legislative Priorities
Two bills we're asking you to back
Developed by NY-GEO's Policy Committee. Add your organization's name, watch the teach-in, and share the decks.
Mapping of Leak-Prone Pipe in NYS
Requires mapping of leak-prone gas pipe across New York so replacement decisions can weigh clean alternatives like geothermal.
Geothermal Renewable Energy Credits (GREC)
Installing and operating a geothermal system would generate a Geothermal Renewable Energy Credit — expanding geothermal to keep the grid reliable and affordable.
Filings & Comments
Where we've weighed in
Letters, testimony and comments filed with the Governor, Legislature, PSC and state agencies. Pick a topic, then open any item for the documents.
Aug 13, 2026Data Center Community Investment Framework commentsBuildings, codes & data centers
Responding to the CIF Policy Outline under Executive Order No. 62, NY-GEO recommends geothermal heating and cooling to maximize local community benefits from hosting data centers.
May 1, 2026Opposing the proposal to roll back the CLCPAClimate law & energy plan
NY-GEO strongly opposes the April 28 proposal and earlier budget proposals that would suspend or reverse CLCPA goals. Ground source heat pumps are a key, underappreciated technology for meeting them.
Apr 23, 2026Case 15-E-0302: Renewable Energy Program & Clean Energy StandardPSC & utility programs
In response to the Coalition for Safe and Reliable Energy's petition, NY-GEO finds no need for a PSL § 66-p(4) hearing to suspend renewable obligations — geothermal can help solve the reliability issues raised.
Dec 11, 2025Urging the Governor to sign the 100-Foot Rule repeal (A8888/S8417)Gas infrastructure
The 100-foot rule costs ratepayers about $500 million a year subsidizing new gas hookups. Repeal lets customers choose cleaner options like geothermal.
Oct 27, 2025UTEN Phase 2 filings — seven utility pilot projects (22-M-0429)Thermal energy networks
Comments on Stage 2 engineering design and customer protection plans for the Chelsea, Mount Vernon, Rockefeller Center, Haverstraw, Syracuse, Brooklyn and Ithaca pilots.
Oct 6, 2025Draft New York State Energy PlanClimate law & energy plan
Comments to the State Energy Planning Board as it finalizes the plan guiding New York toward a reliable, affordable, clean energy system.
Sep 26, 2025Senate roundtable on New York's climate targetsClimate law & energy plan
Board member Keith Hayes presented NY-GEO's legislative agenda at the roundtable hosted by Senators Krueger and Harckham: geothermal is affordable, efficient, reliable, durable, scalable, equitable and grid-friendly.
Summer 2025Energy Efficiency & Building Electrification portfolios (25-M-0248)PSC & utility programs
Comments on 2026–2030 EE/BE portfolios and the weatherization technical conferences: peak demand reduction, lower operating costs, keeping new-construction incentives, and utility-run geothermal rebates for LMI housing.
Jun 30, 2025Supporting cap-and-invest — no further delayClimate law & energy plan
NY-GEO urges the Governor to release cap-and-invest rules that cap pollution and fund clean energy, infrastructure and affordability programs.
May 29, 2025All-Electric Buildings Act capacity exemptionsBuildings, codes & data centers
Comments on the DPS Staff white paper proposing a reasonableness standard for Energy Code Section 11-104(7)(e).
Apr 2025Geothermal tax credit expansion (S4882/A1591) — signed into lawIncentives & financing
The state budget raised the geothermal tax credit cap from $5,000 to $10,000 and made it refundable for many New Yorkers.
2025 sessionNY HEAT Act (S4158/A4870A)Gas infrastructure
Frees New York to pursue cost-effective alternatives to gas infrastructure, ends outdated gas expansion subsidies, and protects households from unaffordable bills.
Show 2024 archive
Oct 11, 20242024 Draft Building CodeBuildings, codes & data centers
Sign-on comments supporting electrification and efficiency provisions in the draft code.
Sep 26, 2024Non-Pipeline Alternatives (20-G-0131)Gas infrastructure
Comments to DPS on non-pipeline alternatives to gas infrastructure.
Sep 13, 2024DPS 100-foot rule straw proposalGas infrastructure
Comments on the DPS straw proposal for the 100-foot rule.
Jul 24, 2024Building Codes Council — Parts 1229 & 1240Buildings, codes & data centers
Comments on rules implementing the all-electric requirement for new buildings.
May 15, 2024New Efficiency: New York (18-M-0084 / 14-M-0094)PSC & utility programs
Member-informed feedback to the PSC on non-LMI energy efficiency questions.
Apr 26, 2024Utility Thermal Energy Network & Jobs Act (22-M-0429)Thermal energy networks
Networks should include individual boreholes per building in a neighborhood or campus, not only shared-pipe district systems.
2024 sessionNYSERDA Fuel Switching Grant Program (S8504/A8595)Incentives & financing
Grants and loans to help households on propane or fuel oil switch to efficient heat pumps.
2024 sessionGreen Jobs–Green New York loans (S9744)Incentives & financing
Raise the GJGNY loan cap from $25,000 to $50,000 to match MA and CT, and allow installment disbursements during installation.
Industry legislative victories
- Changed drilling regulations for closed-loop geothermal boreholes deeper than 500 feet
- Established a tax credit for purchasing and installing geothermal systems
- Doubled the geothermal tax credit cap to $10,000 and made it refundable for many New Yorkers
- Supported Local Law 97 to reduce carbon emissions in NYC
- Testified in ratepayer cases to advance geothermal heat pumps
Add your voice to New York's geothermal agenda
Members help shape every filing above. Join the Policy Committee conversation.