New Apartment Building in Troy Provides a Preview of Energy Smart Construction

Ground Source Heat Pumps Provide a Clean, Carbon-Free Way to Heat Buildings

ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today authorized a new apartment building in Troy, Rensselaer County, to submeter electricity to allow it to provide clean energy to its residents. The new residential building, owned by Fourth Street Troy, LLC., is currently under construction with occupancy expected to commence in June 2020 and will include 80 apartment units. As a participant in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s ground source heat pump (GSHP) program, the building owner has stated that an on-site geothermal well field will provide the building’s heating, cooling and domestic hot water needs.

“We expect heat pumps will play a significant role in New York’s clean energy future as we aggressively work toward a carbon neutral energy system for heating and cooling as contemplated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act,” said Commission Chair John B. Rhodes. “Projects such as the one we are enabling today will demonstrate that this technology can provide reliable carbon free heating and cooling, and in many cases reduce demand for natural gas. We applaud this building owner for developing a clean and energy efficient building for its future residents.”

The building owner has also committed to a number of other energy efficiency and clean energy options, including the installation of: 1) LED lighting throughout the building by participating in National Grid’s commercial and industrial lighting and control program; 2) a conduit from the main switchgear to the roof in order to accommodate future solar cells; and, 3) several electric vehicle charging stations for use by the residents. GSHPs provide a clean way to heat and cool buildings free of all carbon emissions on-site, by making use of geothermal energy stored in the ground to provide one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool buildings.

GSHP systems transfer thermal energy between the ground and a building to heat and cool without any harmful emissions or additional fuel. GSHP technology can provide customers with lower and less volatile annual energy bills; greater resiliency and reliability; more comfort and health because of added air conditioning and improved indoor air quality delivered by this emissions-free technology; and a long-term solution to heating and cooling needs.

Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 19-E-0743 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

New York State's Green New Deal

Governor Cuomo's Green New Deal is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, putting the state on a path to being entirely carbon-neutral across all sectors of the economy and establishing a goal to achieve a zero-carbon emissions electricity sector by 2040, faster than any other state. It builds on New York's unprecedented ramp-up of clean energy including a $2.9 billion investment in 46 large-scale renewable projects across the state, the creation of more than 150,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector, a commitment to develop nearly 1,700 megawatts of offshore wind by 2024, and 1,700 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2012.

The recently passed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act mandates the Green New Deal's nation-leading clean energy targets: nine gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, six gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025, and three gigawatts of energy storage by 2030, while calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy. The CLCPA also directs New York State agencies and authorities to collaborate with stakeholders to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, and aim to invest 40 percent of clean energy and energy efficiency program resources to benefit disadvantaged communities, achieving 70 percent renewable energy by 2040.