New York State recently passed the nation’s first thermal energy network law! The Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act will enable the construction of neighborhood-scale “thermal energy networks,” which are essentially a system of pipes that carry water instead of gas. Heat pumps in buildings and other sources of thermal energy like bodies of water, sewers, and factories exchange thermal energy with the water in the pipes, allowing thermal energy networks to deliver affordable, renewable heating and cooling to entire neighborhoods.

Because thermal energy networks require many of the same pipe installation skills that gas utility and building trades workers already have, this bill creates an opportunity for a just transition for those workers. This bill was developed by labor unions and environmental advocates, and gained the support of consumer advocates and utilities.

Want to learn more? Tune into the webinar below!

The Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act: A Just Transition to Renewable Heating and Cooling
Friday, June 17 at 10-11am 
RSVP here for the Zoom link

Join us for a presentation on what thermal energy networks are, how they will transform the way we heat and cool our buildings, and why labor unions and environmentalists unified to enable utilities to build them. Featured speakers include Jay Egg, international geothermal expert, with remarks by Jessica Azulay, Alliance for a Green Economy, and John Murphy, United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Sprinkler Fitters. The presentation will be MCed by Lisa Dix from the Building Decarbonization Coalition.

Public Comment Writing Sessions with The Climate Reality Project
Saturday, June 18th at 9:30am and Monday, June 20th at 7:00pm
RSVP for the Zoom link here

The Climate Action Council is accepting written public comments submitted via this form, via email to [email protected], or via mail until July 1, 2022 on their draft scoping plan on how to achieve the emissions reductions mandates set by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in various sectors including buildings, electricity, waste, and transportation.

Our friends at the Climate Reality Project are organizing public comment writing sessions on Saturday, June 18th at 9:30am and Monday, June 20th at 7:00pm. 

Several helpful talking points guides and comment submission tools can also be found below:

• Renewable Heat Now comment submission form on buildings
• New Yorkers for Clean Power testimony guide
  • Talking points pertaining to emissions from buildings can be found here.
• NY Renews Testimony 101
• Sierra Club testimony guide
  • Talking points pertaining to emissions from buildings can be found here.