The 2023 NY-GEO Conference, April 26-27, brings together experts and innovators in the geothermal heat pump industry, with dynamic presenters, educational breakout sessions, and exhibitors. For the first time, HEET is hosting an educational track on April 27th all about networked geothermal—and we want you there! Register here. If the conference finances are a barrier, please send us an email at info@heet.org. 

In fall of 2022, Eversource broke ground on the first gas utility-installed networked geothermal system in the nation. HEET’s Learning From the Ground Up research team, including researchers from two national laboratories, U.C. Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University, will collect data and study outcomes on the installation over the next three years. Here’s what has happened since then. 

In Massachusetts and across the country, utilities, municipalities and advocates are moving forward on networked geothermal feasibility studies, legislation to allow gas utilities to become thermal utilities, and more. This March, HEET Co-Executive Director Zeyneb Magavi had the chance to meet with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and tell her about networked geothermal! Read on for more exciting bits of progress from the past few months.

Philadelphia was one of the first cities in the nation to install gas infrastructure. As HEET Co-Executive Director Audrey Schulman put it, “It’s the perfect place to innovate again.”

New report: An independent analysis by HEET and economist Dorie Seavey finds that Philadelphia Gas Works, the city’s municipal gas utility, is projected to spend up to $8 billion over the next 35 years on new gas mains and service lines—even as the city aims to achieve carbon neutrality in nearly the same time frame. Read our press release and the report here.

Gas leaks survey: In the summer of 2021 and 2022, HEET commissioned Gas Safety Inc. to perform two gas leak surveys in Philadelphia using a high‐precision vehicle‐mounted methane analyzer. Find the leak survey and map here.

There has been a lot of media attention in the past few months on gas stoves and health. Here’s a breakdown of what the research shows, what you can do today to improve your indoor air quality, and steps to electrify going forward. Read more…

Framingham, Massachusetts is the site of the first gas-utility-run networked geothermal system, ever! Once complete, this network of water-filled pipes, heat pumps and boreholes will provide heating and cooling to a community of over 40 houses, apartments and commercial buildings, including low-income housing. 

In preparation for utility-run systems like the one in Framingham to become a reality, HEET has convened top scientists and experts from across the country to evaluate networked geothermal as a viable pathway to zero-emissions heating and cooling. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center awarded HEET a $5 million grant for the multi-year research effort. 

This November, HEET Co-Executive Director Zeyneb Magavi was asked to give a TEDxBoston Talk as part of a series on planetary stewardship. 

Zeyneb described her idea for a gas to networked geothermal transition. She explained HEET’s unusual approach of building trust with utilities that has given Massachusetts the first permissioned gas utility networked geothermal installation. And In the last few minutes of her talk, Zeyneb demonstrated this trust by inviting Bill Akley, president of Eversource Gas, to join her on stage and share his perspective. Unscripted. 

Get to know Rachel DeFronzo Wheeler, Executive Assistant and Logistics Director and Angie Alberto Escobar, Director of the Gas to Geo Network!

Cary Smith, owner of Sound Geothermal Corporation and a principal with the Grey Edge Group, has designed countless geothermal systems across the country. This fall, Cary visited HEET at Eversource’s worksite in Framingham, Massachusetts, where the first utility-run networked geothermal system is currently being installed. We had a chance to talk with Cary during a lull on-site.

As we head into what could be one of the most expensive winters in recent history due to rising energy costs, we’re thinking of small steps that can make a difference in our energy bills. 

Weatherization is one important step to cut energy costs. By sealing the cracks and insulating, heat is kept inside in the winter, and cool air in the summer, reducing your energy needs for comfort year round. HEET’s middle name is energy efficiency, after all, and we stand by it! 

Each year since 2017, HEET has tracked the progress of gas utilities in finding and fixing gas leaks with the highest environmental impact. This work is part of the Shared Action Plan, a collaboration between HEET, Eversource Gas and National Grid Gas that aims to both cut emissions and improve the safety of Massachusetts’ gas distribution system. 

Our team is working hard to prepare a report on the findings of year three of the Shared Action Plan.

In a paper published in Scientific Reports, researchers from HEET, Harvard University and Boston University illustrate how technology efficiency is a key factor that will affect the affordability, speed and equity of emissions reductions. Meet the Falcon Curve. 

Want to join our team? We’re hiring to fill two new positions: Project Manager and Grants Manager. Read the full descriptions and apply here.

“Home is Where the Pipeline Ends: Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds Present in Natural Gas at the Point of the Residential End User” is now released in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. The study by HEET, Harvard, PSE Healthy Energy, and Boston University examined the chemical composition of unburned natural gas samples from kitchen stoves across Greater Boston. Researchers found 296 unique chemical compounds, including 21 federally designated hazardous air pollutants. While the study identified the presence of these chemicals, further research is needed to determine human exposure and possible health impacts. 

HEET started mapping gas leaks in 2015. Now, we are excited to share an improved format of our annual gas leak maps, PLUS a first-ever map of Massachusetts’ costly plans to replace aging gas pipes with new ones (the “Gas System Enhancement Plan” or GSEP). These maps are made possible thanks to HEET Director Dominic Nicholas, who made them! 

While you’re checking out our new maps, help us make a third! Want a non-emitting networked geothermal system on your street? Add yourself to our data set to map the future! 

Our report with UndauntedK12 provides the first statewide analysis of gas leaks reported at school properties. There were 91 such leaks in 2021 alone. A third of those required immediate attention by utility workers. 

Importantly, none of these leaks are currently an imminent threat to human safety; nor are they examples of wrong-doing by schools, utilities, or first responders. Rather, what we describe is the reality of living with gas infrastructure. 

At HEET, we’re all about systems change–and direct carbon-cutting steps are an important part of that process. Jason Taylor, a home weatherization expert and green jobs trainer, is here to share simple steps you can take right now to cut carbon emissions at home. 

Networked geothermal is taking off! Eversource Gas and National Grid, the two largest utilities in Massachusetts, have both received approval to install demonstration projects using HEET’s networked geothermal model: non-emitting systems of networked ground source heat pumps. 

The Mass. Attorney General’s Office is running a Request for Proposals to design, install, own and operate an additional networked geothermal system in the Merrimack Valley, funded by a settlement with the former Columbia Gas. We are thrilled to see this progress in-state, plus the growing interest in networked geothermal across the country. 

Marcos Luna and HEET director Dominic Nicholas examined over 26,000 utility-reported leaks in relation to demographic groups. Their findings show that low-income and communities of color, as well as renters, limited English-speaking households and adults with lower levels of education, have a higher density of gas leaks and that leak repairs are comparatively slower for these populations. 

The paper is freely accessible in the peer-reviewed journal, Energy Policy.

The Shared Action Plan (SAP) is the unique collaboration between gas utilities, HEET, and our allies to prioritize finding and repairing distribution system gas leaks with the highest environmental impact. The SAP goal? Cut distribution pipe leaks in half fast. The good news is – it’s working! 

HEET continues to verify both the measurement and identification of leaks and their successful repair. Read the full report.

Households across the Northeast region are feeling the effects of higher heating costs on their utility bills. The pandemic, seasonal demand, and inflation are some contributing factors.

High fuel prices place the greatest burden on families in under-served communities that live in older, less energy-efficient homes. One solution is weatherizing and retrofitting homes to make them more energy-efficient and drastically reduce utility bills.

Good News for renters! Good News for landlords! Good News for people who want to stop climate change! 

MassSAVE is offering free insulation to two and three family buildings if the WHOLE building gets properly weatherized. Building science says you have to insulate and air-seal an entire house to get the most heat-loss reduction. Get your whole house insulated and the work is completely free.

We are so pleased to announce that HEET and the East Boston chapter of Mothers Out Front were selected as the two recipients of Boston’s first Community Clean Air Grant! The grants are awarded to support Boston’s clean air and carbon neutrality goals.

Funds will allow HEET to distribute induction cooktops to Boston residents with gas stoves who are being treated for asthma, as a part of Boston’s Breathe Easy at Home program. 

HEET’s charrettes bring together utility representatives, environmental advocates, legislators, geothermal experts and other stakeholders to share knowledge on the best path forward for networked geothermal (networked ground source heat pumps).

This fall, stakeholders gathered over Zoom to discuss what legal and regulatory changes will be necessary to allow networked geothermal to expand, plus the most cost-effective way to transition away from fossil fuels.

Our newest program, EJAir (Environmental Justice Air), is partnering with the non-profit All In Energy to help improve the connection between environmental justice communities and Mass Save’s weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades.

Methane emissions in Massachusetts are six times higher than the state’s estimates, according to research published this November by Harvard University and Boston University scientists (Sargent, M.R., Floerchinger, C., McKain, K., Budney, J., Gottlieb, E.W., Hutyra, L.R., Rudek, J., and Wofsy, S.C.). Their research also finds that methane emissions have not decreased significantly between 2015 and 2020. Why? And what does this mean? 

In November, the HEET team put our efficiency skills to the test with a trip to the Boston Area Gleaners. Gleaners is a wonderful nonprofit that harvests surplus farm crops and distributes them to communities facing food insecurity. Gleaners has been a key partner in Our Table, an initiative launched by Lawrence community leaders with HEET’s support to bring fresh food to families. 

HEET is receiving national news coverage. Check out co-founder Audrey Schulman’s feature in The Washington Post, “From novelist to climate crusader: How one woman is working to put a stop to natural gas.” Or read our summary.

Gas Leak Allies hosted a webinar on their new report predicting GSEP gas pipeline replacements will exceed $20 billion. Watch here.