Purchase College Awarded $50 Million for Major Geothermal Project
Purchase College, SUNY, is pleased to communicate that Governor Hochul recently announced that she is dedicating $200 million to expanding thermal energy networks, which use a system of pipes to share heating and cooling resources among multiple buildings. This funding will support projects at municipal and State-owned buildings and will specifically include several projects within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The thermal energy projects are part of Governor Hochul’s $1 billion Sustainable Future Program which is the largest climate investment in New York’s history.
Purchase is one of three SUNY campuses to be awarded funding to improve energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint. Purchase College will receive $50 million of the $200 million total that was awarded to the three campuses. The money allotted to campus will be to design and construct the first phase of a thermal energy network and establish a framework for future geothermal systems on campus.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY remains committed to helping Governor Hochul achieve the state’s climate goals, and thanks to her investment we will be able to transition the State University of New York at Buffalo, SUNY Purchase, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook to more efficient and sustainable energy sources. This funding will help SUNY meet its goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions and ensure students will have a brighter, more sustainable future.”
Purchase College President Michael E. Steiper, Ph.D. said, “Purchase College is excited to be at the forefront of sustainability and clean energy. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and our representatives in the New York State Senate and Assembly for this investment. We are eager to get to work on this new project, which will have a significant, positive impact on our campus, the wider community, and our environment for decades to come.”
Tom Kelly, Senior Energy and Sustainability Manager at Purchase said, “This project is transformative from an environmental, economic and educational perspective. When completed, the campus will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 65 percent while reducing utility costs and integrating sustainable projects into the curriculum.”