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ALBANY – As part of a nationwide project to identify and assess new sources of renewable geothermal energy that could help mitigate global warming, the New York State Geological Survey (NYSGS) has received a $280,000 federal grant to collect data that will help scientists to better understand the potential for geothermal resources in New York State.

Energy Secretary Stephen Chu has announced awards totaling $338 million for geothermal energy research across the country that includes the creation of a comprehensive nationwide geothermal resource data system by the nation’s State Geological Surveys to help identify and assess new fields.

The New York State Geological Survey, the geological research arm of the New York State Museum, will contribute to this effort as part of a coalition of 40 states organized to contribute to a new National Geothermal Data System with relevant state-specific geothermal data. The project, which will begin in New York by next summer, will receive $17.79 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) over three years under the auspices of consortium of states organized by the Association of American State Geologists (AASG).

“This project will help us understand the geothermal potential in New York to an extent never before possible,” said New York State Geologist Bill Kelly. “It’s exciting to be part of this national effort, involving other state geological surveys, to address such a critical energy need for the state and the country.”

Geothermal energy is power extracted from heat stored in the earth. It is considered to be a dependable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy source that has become more accessible due to recent technological advances. Although geothermal wells release greenhouse gases trapped deep within the earth, the emissions are much less than they would be with conventional fossil fuels. If geothermal energy is widely used instead, it could help alleviate global warming.

Compiling state-specific geothermal data into integrated and searchable data systems distributed to several locations around the country should drive renewed efforts to identify, assess and exploit geothermal energy resources across America. This national collaboration of state and federal agencies, universities, and industry, has the potential to reshape America’s energy landscape, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and leverage non-renewable petroleum resources well into the 21st Century.

As a member of AASG, the NYSGS is a partner in the Geothermal Data Coalition, based at Boise State University, which will design and build the National Geothermal Data System under contract to DOE. AASG member surveys will adapt the U.S. Geological Survey Geoscience Information Network to provide data discovery, access, and exchange services as a component in the developing data system. The U.S. Geoscience Information Network is a collaboration between AASG and U.S. Geological Survey online data providers and user applications linked together by shared web services and interchange formats for the purpose of finding, accessing, and using geoscientific information.

The New York State Museum is a cultural program of the New York State Department of Education’s Office of Cultural Education. Founded in 1836, the Museum has the longest continuously operating state natural history research and collection survey in the U.S. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

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