Committee authorizes county to apply for $2M state grant to expand geothermal system, leaving an estimated $3.3M local gap

Tompkins County’s Facilities & Infrastructure Committee on July 16 voted to authorize staff to apply for a Climate Smart Communities grant through New York State seeking $2 million toward a proposed district geothermal expansion that would link the new center of government, the former jail and the main courthouse.

Department of Planning and Sustainability staff member Terry told the committee the draft design estimate for the phase‑2 expansion is about $5.3 million and that the CFA grant requires a 50% local match: “it’s a 50% match,” Terry said. If the county secures the grant, staff would be required to commit to moving the project forward within the grant’s five‑year performance window, Terry added, though the county could decline later at reputational cost.

The project as presented would leave roughly $3.3 million in unmet need if the full $2 million state award is received. Committee members pressed for more information before the legislature votes, asking staff to prepare a memo comparing lifecycle costs of pursuing the geothermal system versus continuing with standard HVAC replacements over 5, 10 and 15 years.

Legislator Judith Hubbard said a comparison of long‑term operating and maintenance costs would help the legislature make a responsible decision: she asked staff to provide “what is the our cost in terms of equipment, maintenance, and energy over the next 5, 10, 15 years versus if we do go with geothermal.” Staff committed to assembling capital‑program numbers and to circulate them in advance of the legislature meeting.

Terry and county staff also described permitting and technical issues: the design calls for open‑loop wells that would draw water from about 250 feet, and permitting will require DEC approvals for withdrawal and reinjection. Early water tests show elevated iron levels that would require treatment prior to injection, staff said, and the county will engage DEC early in the permitting process.

The committee voted to place the resolution on the legislature’s agenda next week. Terry said staff will provide supplemental material and will be available for questions at the legislature’s meeting.