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July 8th, 2008

Hall Helps Install New Geothermal System

Rep. John Hall working with Altren contractors

Cold Spring – Yesterday, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) obtained firsthand "in the trench" know-how on the proper way to install green, geothermal technology while working at the Glassbury Court at Cold Spring development site. Donning a hard hat and work gloves, Hall worked alongside the Altren Consulting & Contracting field crew in a five-foot deep, 80 by 20-foot trench to lay down a state-of-the-art 'ground loop' geothermal system that will be used to heat and cool the homes at Glassbury Court, an active adult community.

"Skyrocketing oil prices are making the need for investment in renewable energy technology like geothermal more urgent and more economical every day," said Congressman Hall. "New buildings like these at Glassbury Court are an example of how action on the local level can make a big contribution to reducing dependence on imported oil and protecting the environment." Hall is a member of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and a long-time advocate of renewable sources of energy.

Glassbury Court at Cold Spring is registered for both Energy Star and LEED for Homes. “One of the reasons we took a leadership role in this was that we wanted government officials, business leaders, other developer/builders, and the public to know that this is feasible and actually is good business,” said William Balter of Wilder Balter Partners.

Geothermal systems use the ground's relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling and hot water to homes. The geothermal systems can eliminate the need for oil and natural gas heat in the winter and also reduce electricity costs from air conditioning in the summer. Hall helped uncoil and set the horizontal 'slinky coil' that is used to capture and transport the earth's passive solar energy. Altren crew taught the Congressman the art of thermal fusion, which is used to connect and seal the pipes.

"While he's a natural at working on geothermal systems, I think he should keep his day job," said Altren executive Craig Roffman. "We need all the help we can get promoting green technology in Congress."

Yesterday's geothermal installation with the Altren field crew is part of Hall's ongoing initiative to "Work-a-Day" with different people in the Hudson Valley. Hall has been an ardent proponent in Congress of increased research and use of renewable energy alternatives to support American energy independence.

"Renewable energy technology, particularly geothermal installation means jobs right here in the Hudson Valley," said Hall. "There are a great number of well drilling companies in the region, and in addition to their traditional water work the installation of geothermal has provided an exciting new economic opportunity."

Approximately 40,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed in the U.S. each year. Geothermal power plants emit little carbon dioxide, very low quantities of sulfur dioxide, and no nitrogen oxides. U.S. geothermal generation annually offsets the emission of 22 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 110,000 tons of particulate matter from conventional coal-fired plants.