US Administration Backs Geothermal Energy Amid Shift in Trump's Climate Policy.
A significant win for the renewable energy sector has been announced, with a utility-led geothermal network set to double in size following an $8.6 million grant approved by the US Department of Energy. The funding will allow Eversource Energy to expand its geothermal heating and cooling network in Framingham, Massachusetts, adding approximately 140 new customers.
Geothermal networks are considered one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool buildings, making them a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The federal money will not only support the expansion but also fund research into the system's performance.
The Trump administration has been a contentious figure in climate policy, with opposition to wind and solar programs evident under their leadership. However, recent developments suggest a possible shift in this stance. An executive order issued by President Donald Trump declared support for a limited mix of energy resources, including geothermal energy.
This new development comes as the Trump administration claws back billions of dollars in clean energy funding, including hundreds of millions in Massachusetts. Despite this, plans are underway to build upon existing tax credits approved under the Inflation Reduction Act 2022.
"This award is an opportunity and a responsibility to clearly demonstrate and quantify the growth potential of geothermal network technology," said Zeyneb Magavi, executive director of HEET, one of the lead recipients of the funding.
The expansion project aims to roughly double Framingham's capacity at half the cost of the initial buildout, with part of the savings coming from using existing equipment rather than duplicating it.
A significant win for the renewable energy sector has been announced, with a utility-led geothermal network set to double in size following an $8.6 million grant approved by the US Department of Energy. The funding will allow Eversource Energy to expand its geothermal heating and cooling network in Framingham, Massachusetts, adding approximately 140 new customers.
Geothermal networks are considered one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool buildings, making them a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The federal money will not only support the expansion but also fund research into the system's performance.
The Trump administration has been a contentious figure in climate policy, with opposition to wind and solar programs evident under their leadership. However, recent developments suggest a possible shift in this stance. An executive order issued by President Donald Trump declared support for a limited mix of energy resources, including geothermal energy.
This new development comes as the Trump administration claws back billions of dollars in clean energy funding, including hundreds of millions in Massachusetts. Despite this, plans are underway to build upon existing tax credits approved under the Inflation Reduction Act 2022.
"This award is an opportunity and a responsibility to clearly demonstrate and quantify the growth potential of geothermal network technology," said Zeyneb Magavi, executive director of HEET, one of the lead recipients of the funding.
The expansion project aims to roughly double Framingham's capacity at half the cost of the initial buildout, with part of the savings coming from using existing equipment rather than duplicating it.