Summary
The geothermal system at the Highway Department has had struggles, and Chair Shurtleff wants a report on those lessons before the county commits to a possible $3-5 million district-wide geothermal expansion for the downtown Center of Government project.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
A district-wide geothermal expansion could add $3-5 million to the capital program.
Taxpayers, if lessons learned prevent costly mistakes in the downtown project.
Taxpayers bear the match cost if the Legislature ultimately moves forward with the full project.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Tompkins County Legislature - Regular Meeting — July 21, 2026
The county is moving to expand its geothermal heating system from the Center of Government to the Old Jail and Courthouse, cutting natural gas use. Adopting the grant application commits the county to roughly $2 million in matching funds on a ~$5.3 million expansion.
Facilities and Infrastructure Committee - Regular Meeting — July 16, 2026
The county wants to expand geothermal heating from the new Center of Government to the Old Jail and Main Courthouse — a $5.3 million project. The committee backed applying for a $2 million state grant, but members grilled staff on the county's $2 million match and whether the full Legislature is committing to the project.
Facilities and Infrastructure Committee - Regular Meeting — June 18, 2026
County staff pitched an open-loop geothermal system using two wells tapping the aquifer under downtown Ithaca to heat and cool the Center of Government, old jail, and courthouse. Phase one is about $1.9 million, folded into the Center of Government project, with later phases around $3.95 million. The committee said keep going.
Facilities and Infrastructure Committee - Regular Meeting — May 21, 2026
Johnson Controls reported the $14.4 million geothermal conversion has cut the county's carbon roughly 30%, but rooftop units at the highway garage struggled through two winters due to refrigerant charging and control issues — now fixed, with extended warranties and a pledge to prove performance next winter.
Facilities and Infrastructure Committee - Regular Meeting — March 19, 2026
The geothermal system at the Highway Department has had struggles, and Chair Shurtleff wants a report on those lessons before the county commits to a possible $3-5 million district-wide geothermal expansion for the downtown Center of Government project.
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