On Dec. 27, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) signed HB 5397 into law, providing new financial tools for municipal electric utilities operating in the state to help their customers install distributed generation, electric vehicle charging stations, and energy efficiency technologies—including geothermal heat pump heating and cooling systems.

The New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO) has successfully worked with State Assemblymember Sean Ryan (D – District 149) to introduce Assembly Bill 2177-A, “An act to amend state tax law, establishing a credit for geothermal energy systems.” Sen. Robert Ortt (R-62nd Senate District) introduced identical companion legislation, Senate Bill 2905, on Jan. 30. Starting […]

Vermont legislators will consider a measure to stop utilities from getting credit both for developing solar or wind projects and also for the renewable credits received from out-of-state sales. The bill, H.40, has begun its journey through the legislative process in the Vermont House of Representatives’ Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

Iowa Rep. Dawn Pettengill (R) introduced a bill (HF226) in the Iowa House of Representatives to increase an existing state tax incentive for geothermal heat pump (GHP) installations. Current law allows an individual income tax credit for a GHP system equal to 20% of the federal residential energy efficient property tax credit for GHPs. HF226 […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that rural agricultural producers and small business owners can apply for financial resources to purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. USDA is making more than $280 million available to eligible applicants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The agency is […]

ASHRAE has announced a Call for Papers for its 2016 Winter Conference in Orlando, FL on Jan. 23-27, 2016. The event will feature design-build practices and residential systems, with emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability. ASHRAE offers two types of paper submissions: Conference Paper Abstracts that are due by March 23, 2015; and Full Technical […]

Nearly a thousand participants from across the United States and around the world joined the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) for its webinar on Feb. 4, Geothermal Heat Pumps vs. Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems. Following an introduction by GEO President Doug Dougherty, Dr. Jeffrey Spitler (Oklahoma State University) and his research team presented their scientific research, […]