Drilling began last week at Brooklyn College on a geothermal test well that marks the college’s and CUNY’s bold leap toward a fossil fuel-free future. In partnership with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) under the Decarbonization Leadership Program (DLP), a 500-foot-deep test borehole was drilled to assess the college’s geothermal potential. The program directs NYPA to develop energy and emissions profiles and decarbonization action plans for the State’s largest carbon-emitting facilities. This test well drilling paves the way for a comprehensive, low-carbon energy system on campus. Brooklyn College is the first CUNY campus to undergo this specific testing. Other CUNY institutions developing decarbonization action plans under the DLP include Hunter College and City College. The timing of this groundbreaking couldn’t be more fitting, as it coincided with World Environment Day on June 5, reinforcing Brooklyn College’s reputation as one of the greenest campuses in the nation. This project shows that clean, affordable geothermal energy can replace fossil fuels in public buildings, even in dense urban settings, cutting emissions, lowering energy bills, and helping New York meet its bold climate goals. (Left to right) Rachel Carpitella, Business Development Manager from Wendel; Carrie Sadovnik, Director of Environmental Health and Safety/Sustainability at Brooklyn College; Alan Gilbert, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration at Brooklyn College; Mohamed Attalla, Vice Chancellor of Facilities Planning, Construction and Management at CUNY; Tria Case, Executive Director of Sustainability and Energy Conservation and launched Sustainable at CUNY; and Monty Graham, Assistant Director, Energy, Office of Sustainability and Energy Conservation at CUNY. “Participating in Governor Hochul’s Decarbonization Leadership Program is a pivotal step in CUNY’s commitment to environmental stewardship on our campuses,” said Mohamed Attalla, Vice Chancellor of Facilities Planning, Construction and Management. “CUNY is the engine that drives New York City, and we are committed to improving energy efficiency, lowering our carbon footprint, and creating a more resilient environment for our campuses and the surrounding communities. Expanding on renewable energy is a key strategic direction for CUNY including geothermal. Brooklyn College was envisioned as a suitable site and many sites will follow.” “Brooklyn College is proud to play a vital role in advancing clean energy innovation,” said President Michelle J. Anderson. “We thank Governor Hochul for her support of this transformative project, which exemplifies how public-sector leadership, cutting-edge technology, and strategic investment can come together to create lasting change. This initiative stands as a cornerstone of the college’s commitment to building a cleaner, more resilient future.” “Through the Decarbonization Leadership Program, NYPA is helping New York’s largest carbon-emitting facilities leverage innovative, cutting-edge technologies to accelerate progress toward a cleaner building sector,” said Maribel Cruz-Brown, NYPA SVP of Customer Solutions. “Brooklyn College’s efforts to explore the viability of a geothermal system is an exciting milestone in the school’s journey toward decarbonization, and it exemplifies how the public sector is driving progress through collaboration and strategic planning.” Brooklyn College’s Alan Gilbert, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Carrie Sadovnik, Director of Environmental Health and Safety/Sustainability, have been instrumental in supporting initiatives, projects, and programs on the campus that encourage sustainability, helping to make Brooklyn College one of the most green campuses in the country. At the heart of Brooklyn College’s project is its West End Building (WEB), one of the campus’s busiest academic and student life centers. Thanks to a $10 million award from the New York State Bond Act, the building will be fully converted to a geothermal heating and cooling system—a clean, renewable alternative that offers 100% carbon-free climate control. Already outfitted with hydronic infrastructure, the WEB is an ideal candidate for geothermal integration. Once operational, the system will enhance indoor comfort and energy efficiency while eliminating reliance on traditional fossil fuels. Spanning over 20,000 square feet, the WEB houses a 10,000-square-foot open-use computer lab, the Undergraduate Film Department, multimedia classrooms, 16 student clubs, and the Student Testing Center—making it a high-impact site for sustainable innovation. NYPA already provides a wide variety of energy technology and renewable energy services to state and local governmental entities, including energy audits, project engineering, design, installation, and construction management. Some of the energy efficiency projects implemented with customers by NYPA include high efficiency lighting retrofits, occupancy and daylighting lighting sensors, building and energy management systems, boilers, chillers, air-handling systems, thermal storage, microgrids, solar photovoltaic systems, digester gas systems, and emerging energy technologies. About Brooklyn College Widely known to provide an excellent education at an affordable tuition, and recognized nationally for its diverse student body, Brooklyn College has been an anchor institution within the borough of Brooklyn and greater New York City for more than 90 years. With approximately 15,000 students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, education, and business, the college is renowned for its rigorous academics, award-winning faculty, distinguished alumni, and community impact. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), Brooklyn College offers a vibrant and supportive student experience on a beautifully landscaped 35-acre campus in the borough’s Midwood neighborhood. About The City University of New York The City University of New York (CUNY) is the nation’s largest urban public university, a transformative engine of social mobility that is a critical component of the lifeblood of New York City. Founded in 1847 as the nation’s first free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has seven community colleges, 11 senior colleges and seven graduate or professional institutions spread across New York City’s five boroughs, serving nearly 240,000 undergraduate and graduate students and awarding 50,000 degrees each year. CUNY’s mix of quality and affordability propels almost six times as many low-income students into the middle class and beyond as all the Ivy League colleges combined. More than 80 percent of the University’s graduates stay in New York, contributing to all aspects of the city’s economic, civic and cultural life and diversifying the city’s workforce in every sector. CUNY’s graduates and faculty have received many prestigious honors, including 13 Nobel Prizes and 26 MacArthur “genius” grants. The University’s historic mission continues to this day: provide a first-rate public education to all students, regardless of means or background. To learn more about CUNY, visit https://www.cuny.edu/. About NYPA NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
