Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Exploration of geothermal energy and alternative renewable energy sources
0:38:41
ยท
3 min
Council Member Restler expresses concern about the shifting landscape of offshore wind projects and suggests a focus on alternative renewable energy sources, particularly geothermal energy.
- Restler mentions a large tower in Greenpoint Waterfront powered by geothermal energy
- DCAS Deputy Commissioner Barakat acknowledges they are starting to look into geothermal technology but are still in the evaluation process
- Restler emphasizes the need for transformational energy projects to meet climate goals, given the uncertainty surrounding offshore wind
- DCAS is encouraged to focus on other renewable energy sources that can be realistically implemented in the immediate future
Lincoln Restler
0:38:41
Okay.
0:38:42
We'll get back.
0:38:42
We'll share what you gave us last year in writing.
0:38:45
There were a few that we could not find in the updated capital project listings, so we just wanted to understand the Cannonsville Reservoir, the Queens County Family Court, Catskill Delaware Interconnect, to cite a few that we just weren't we're looking for more information.
0:39:02
But that's great.
0:39:02
I covered Chippy.
0:39:03
One more question on sustainability and then we can shift gears.
0:39:08
I have been saying to my staff for some time that well, I am profoundly concerned about the shifting federal landscape of offshore wind and the impact that that's going to have for the city of New York on our ability and the state of New York on our ability to achieve our climate reduction our climate goals.
0:39:28
I think we need to begin shifting for at least the next few years considering no offshore it doesn't appear that offshore wind is going to move forward in any way, thinking about new approaches to expand renewable energy.
0:39:41
It feels like we're potentially at a moment for more focus on geothermal.
0:39:47
We have a large thousand unit tower going up in the Greenpoint Waterfront that's powered with geothermal energy.
0:39:54
Could you share with us what projects DCAS is working on with geothermal?
0:39:58
And do you think this is an there's an opportunity for us to expand both our city's carbon, the city of New York as the government's carbon reduction carbon greenhouse gas reduction goals through more reliance on geothermal and and beyond?
Sana Barakat
0:40:13
Yeah.
0:40:13
We're looking for new technologies, right, to accelerate our project and the reduction of GHG emissions.
0:40:22
We are starting to look into geothermal, but I don't think it's a technology that's going to be I shouldn't say much about it because we're in the process of evaluating if it's something we should look into and implement.
0:40:42
We had one geothermal actually no, was more of a thermal energy storage if that's not what you're asking.
0:40:49
But I can get back to you on, you know, if there is any opportunity anywhere to I
Lincoln Restler
0:40:54
just, you know, you are in such an important position as a purchaser, right, and to be able to help shape the market and on behalf of the city of New York.
0:41:04
You know, we have a clean energy hub that's getting built in Vinegar Hill that Con Ed is working on that was supposed to bring in enough offshore wind energy to power half of Brooklyn.
0:41:13
And so we're not talking I mean I love the solar panel projects and everything, but we're not talking about a few solar panels on a roof that represent this much energy.
0:41:20
We're talking about half of Brooklyn.
0:41:21
Like this is the transformational stuff that actually allows us to meet our climate goals and that stuff, as far as I can tell, it's all dead in the water.
0:41:27
I guess it's a good fit of dead in the water since it's offshore there you go.
0:41:33
Guess decas humor.
0:41:36
The gov ops humor is probably more appropriate.
0:41:39
I really think that we need to just be focusing on what other renewable energy sources we can realistically benefit from in the immediate future.
0:41:46
And I really do hope that we can do more to evaluate opportunities around geothermal.
0:41:50
And if there are ways that the council can be helpful or supportive in those efforts, please let us know.
Sana Barakat
0:41:54
Point well taken.
0:41:55
Thank you.
Lincoln Restler
0:41:55
Thank you.
0:41:56
I would love to shift to hiring.
0:41:59
So oh, and I was just supposed to ask for you to say your name and title for the record.
Sana Barakat
0:42:06
Sana Barakat, city chief decarbonization officer and deputy commissioner of energy management at Decas.
Lincoln Restler
0:42:13
I think you have the best title in city government.