Suffolk County is one of the first in NYS to adopt model geothermal code

The Long Island Geothermal Energy Organization (LI-GEO) and the Suffolk County Planning Commission were congratulated for their efforts in producing and initiating the adoption of the first uniform geothermal energy code for residential and commercial properties in New York State. Developed by the Suffolk County Planning Commission in collaboration with LI-GEO and other key stakeholders, including the NYS Department of State's Division of Building Standards and Codes, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Suffolk County Legislature, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, the Suffolk County Water Authority and Renewable Energy Long Island, this new code provides key guidelines for evaluating and designing geothermal heating and cooling systems, and ensuring energy efficient and reliable installations that, among other environmental protection measures, will protect Long Island's groundwater. "The USGBC-LI is very grateful for the leadership of the Suffolk County Planning Commission and LI-GEO in developing a model geothermal code," said Sammy Chu, chairman, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Long Island chapter. "As demonstrated by the commission's previous efforts on a uniform solar code, expedited processing can help the proliferation of green building and renewable energy installations." John Franceschina, LI-GEO president and member of the USGBC Long Island chapter's board of directors, expressed his hope that the adoption of this code by the Suffolk County Planning Commission will provide a model for towns and villages throughout Long Island and New York State. For more information on geothermal and other sustainable energy solutions, visit www.li-geo.org. Shown (from left) are: Mike Kaufman, Suffolk County Planning Commission; Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone; assemblyman Steve Englebright; John Franceschina, president, LI-GEO; Dave Calone, chair, Suffolk County Planning Commission; Mike Voltz, PSEG Long Island; and Brookhaven supervisor Ed Romaine.