S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3339
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
January 27, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. WALCZYK -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
cations
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to enacting the
"geothermal education and outreach (GEO) act"
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "geothermal
education and outreach (GEO) act".
§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section
1872-b to read as follows:
§ 1872-B. GEOTHERMAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM. 1. DEFINITIONS.
AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
MEANINGS:
(A) "GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM" MEANS A RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM, AS
DEFINED BY SECTION SIXTY-SIX-P OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW, THAT GENERATES
ELECTRICITY THROUGH THE USE OF GEOTHERMAL ELECTRIC OR GEOTHERMAL GROUND
SOURCE HEAT TECHNOLOGY.
(B) "PROGRAM" MEANS THE GEOTHERMAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
(C) "QUALIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT" MEANS A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT
THE AUTHORITY DETERMINES CAN FEASIBLY CONVERT TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY AS
ITS PRIMARY SOURCE OF ENERGY BASED ON LOCATION, RESOURCES, AND OTHER
RELEVANT FACTORS AS DETERMINED BY THE AUTHORITY.
2. GEOTHERMAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM. (A) THE AUTHORITY IS
HEREBY DIRECTED TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, A GEOTHERMAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM
TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES, PLANNING, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR QUALIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT WISH TO CONVERT TO A GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM AS
THEIR PRIMARY SOURCE OF ENERGY.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06462-01-5
S. 3339 2
(B) QUALIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT CONVERT TO A GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
SYSTEM UNDER THE PROGRAM SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE AUTHORITY FOR NINETY
PERCENT OF THE COSTS OF SUCH CONVERSION.
3. RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE AUTHORITY IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO
PROMULGATE ANY RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.