October 15, 2026 - Today the UpgradeNY collaboration and allies from across the environmental movement and renewable energy industry applaud the approval of two utility-led thermal energy network (TEN) pilots by the New York Public Service Commission. These projects, authorized under the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act, will allow utilities to build TENs that will use less energy, save ratepayers money, and build more resilient communities while creating hundreds of  family-sustaining union jobs.

Orange & Rockland, Haverstraw West: This project will use an ambient temperature loop supported by both geothermal borefields and wastewater heat recovery from a sewer main to serve a mix of residential, commercial, and municipal buildings in downtown Haverstraw. This innovative, replicable model for future TENs will utilize one of the most abundant and cost-effective thermal resources available: wastewater. In addition, two geothermal borefields on municipal land will use the steady temperature of the earth to serve the loop. It is designed to connect up to 30 buildings, including single- and multi-family residential, commercial, government buildings, and an elementary school.

National Fuel Gas, Buffalo: This project will demonstrate a gas utility's transition into thermal energy service in a Disadvantaged community. It includes a central plant and wastewater heat recovery from a storm/sanitary main, and strategic connection to an existing district heating system. Decarbonizing a legacy district energy system and serving low-income multifamily housing with clean thermal energy will provide real benefit to residents by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.  This is an important interim step in the evolution from legacy district energy systems to clean thermal energy networks.

There are nine more projects that the Public Service Commission did not advance, including proposals on the East Side of Haverstraw, in Syracuse, New York City, and other communities across the state. We are disappointed the Commission didn't recognize all of the benefits of those projects, missing the opportunity to bring this exciting technology to more communities and provide more union jobs. We remain committed to working with the Commission, utilities, industry, and municipal partners to build more TENs in New York. 

Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters said, “Today’s approval is a major win for New York’s clean energy future. Thermal energy networks can help us cut pollution from buildings, create good-paying union jobs, and deliver cleaner, more efficient heating and cooling to New Yorkers. We applaud Governor Hochul for her leadership and the Public Service Commission for giving these two innovative projects the green light and demonstrating that New York is ready to lead on the next generation of clean energy solutions.”

Allison Considine, NY Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition said, “This is a breakthrough moment for thermal energy networks in New York. With the approval of these two pilots, we’re moving from plans on paper to real projects that can show New Yorkers what clean, neighborhood-scale heating and cooling looks like. These projects will help deliver union careers in building decarbonization, and generate valuable data and learnings on how thermal energy networks can support efficient decarbonization and economic development, lower energy costs, and make communities more resilient. We’re thrilled to see these projects move forward, and thank Governor Hochul, the PSC, and Department of Public Service staff for their leadership in building momentum for thermal energy networks across the state.”

Jessica Azulay, Executive Director for Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) said, "We thank the Public Service Commission and the Governor for making this investment in the next generation of heating and cooling infrastructure in New York. With the approval of these landmark projects, the labor and environmental movements in New York are charting a shared path toward decarbonizing buildings without leaving anyone behind. We look forward to seeing these exciting projects bring cleaner and more affordable energy to communities."

Gary LaBarbera, President of the New York State Building Trades said, “The approval of these projects not only represents a key milestone for advancing the state's thermal energy networks, but also for creating thousands of family-sustaining union careers for hardworking people. This portion of our clean energy transition will bolster the middle class, drive economic development, and provide cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable utilities to countless New Yorkers. We applaud Governor Hochul and the Public Service Commission for pushing these projects forward, and our tradesmen and tradeswomen look forward to playing their role in getting them across the finish line."

 Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO, said, "Today’s approval marks another significant step toward ensuring energy reliability and moving us closer to achieving New York’s renewable energy goals. We thank Governor Hochul and the Public Service Commission for prioritizing clean energy solutions that will create solid middle-class union jobs while addressing affordability and grid reliability." 

Greg Lancette, International Representative, United Association, said, “The Commission approval of utility thermal energy network projects means shovels in the ground, union members on the jobs, and the foundation of good careers for our members. We are building the next generation of energy infrastructure, with strong labor standards that the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act guarantees. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the Public Service Commission for advancing these projects and ensuring that the clean energy transition is being built by a skilled and well-trained union workforce.”

Jenille Scott, ALIGN Climate Director said, “New York is ready to build! We’re proud to see the Public Service Commission commit to clean energy technology that is proven to provide safer, cheaper, and more efficient heating and cooling for families while creating good union jobs. As nationwide cuts ignore the growing devastation of our intersecting climate and affordability crises, New York is taking a meaningful step forward, investing in clean air, family-sustaining careers, and our green, affordable future.”

Eric Walker, Senior Energy Justice Policy Manager, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, said, “We applaud the PSC for showing continued commitment to innovation, the state’s clean energy future and a just transition. While environmental justice and disadvantaged communities continue to pay the price for our use of fossil fuels, these pilots point to a different future – one where New York can move off gas, cut emissions, and build climate resilience at the neighborhood level.”

Roger Downs, Conservation Director for the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter said, “When the PSC says yes to cutting-edge innovation, like these groundbreaking thermal energy network pilots, they are setting into motion a new wave of projects that will save money in future energy costs, improve indoor air quality as they heat and cool, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and create family sustaining jobs across New York State.  This is the start of something big. We applaud Governor Hochul and the PSC for recognizing that the most expensive energy option for New York is keeping the status quo. Embracing clean heat technologies is one of our greatest pathways to an affordable energy future.”

Esther Rosario, Executive Director of Climate Jobs NY said, “Today’s approval is a major step toward cleaner, healthier communities across New York. These thermal energy network pilots set a nation-leading precedent that will bring clean heat to New Yorkers and create new union jobs in emerging industries. We are proving that cutting emissions and creating family-sustaining careers go hand in hand.” 

Stephan Edel, Executive Director of NY Renews said, "NY Renews applauds Upgrade NY and all of the community groups, advocates, and labor unions who fought to make this a reality. Thermal Energy Networks are an important tool in moving New York toward clean energy infrastructure that will not only supply clean, affordable energy to New Yorkers, but help address the rapidly accelerating climate crisis. Now is the time to build solutions we know will work both today and tomorrow."   

Marguerite Wells, Executive Director, Alliance for Clean Energy New York said, "The Commission's approval of these utility thermal energy networks is a big step forward in diversifying our energy mix and bringing reliable, affordable power to New York. TENs are an excellent tool for neighborhoods and campuses that want to move away from the unpredictable costs that our current energy market faces. Advancing these utility projects will allow more New Yorkers to access the benefits our clean energy transition has to offer. 

Christine Hoffer, Executive Director of NY-GEO said, “These two pilots put geothermal energy to work for whole neighborhoods. New York’s geothermal industry is ready to build them, and to show how thermal energy networks can deliver cleaner, more affordable heating and cooling, reduce demand on the grid all while creating skilled local jobs. We thank Governor Hochul and the Public Service Commission for their leadership.”

Lisa Marshall, Organizing Director, Renewable Heat Now Campaign said, “We celebrate the approval of these long-awaited thermal energy network projects. We have long advocated for neighborhood-scale energy transition knowing that this is the key to affordable and equitable building decarbonization. These projects will pave the way for more New Yorkers to enjoy living and working in clean, safe, and comfortable buildings.”

Michael Hamersky, Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center said, “We are excited that New York is recognizing the role that TENs can play in providing clean, reliable energy throughout the state. Kudos to the New York Public Service Commission for approving these pilots, which we expect will serve as models for New York and the rest of the country.”

Meghan Burton, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice said,  "The Commission's approval of two TENs is a win-win-win for New Yorkers and our clean energy future - lower energy bills, cleaner air, and good-paying union jobs. As federal policies continue to drive up already costly fossil fuel prices, today's announcement sets a pathway forward to begin breaking communities free, while helping to address the climate crisis. We look forward to these pilots breaking ground." 

Zeyneb Magavi, Executive Director at HEET said, "We are delighted to see the Public Service Commission and the Governor move utility thermal energy networks forward in New York - and we celebrate the learnings and the data this investment in thermal innovation will generate for us all!” #ThinkThermalTogether! 

Kim Fraczek, Director of Sane Energy Project said, “Today’s thermal energy network approvals are a reason to celebrate. They show a path beyond polluting, expensive gas and toward 21st-century, neighborhood-scale energy systems that provide both heating and cooling, lower energy use, and are built by strong union labor. Let’s keep building energy systems that put communities, workers, and the public good at the center.”

Anshul Gupta, Policy & Research Director at New Yorkers for Clean Power said, “The Public Service Commission’s approval of these utility thermal energy network pilots marks a transformative step towards modernizing thermal comfort in New York’s buildings. Transitioning entire blocks and campuses to non-polluting heating and cooling will prove that neighborhood-scale energy systems are the key to lowering utility bills, protecting public health, and cutting reliance on harmful, volatile fossil fuels. We applaud the Commission and Governor Hochul for these vital investments in good-paying union jobs and cleaner, more resilient communities.” 

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The UpgradeNY collaboration works together to advocate for affordable solutions to decarbonize New York’s buildings while creating a strong foundation for good-paying union jobs. Members include Building Decarbonization Coalition, New York League of Conservation Voters, Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE), The New York State AFL-CIO, ALIGN, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, and Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter. Learn more at upgradeny.org