Colorado Installs Geothermal System At State Capitol Building
Governor Bill Ritter today praised a project that will provide geothermal heating and cooling for the State Capitol building with the help of a U.S. Department of Energy Recovery Act grant.
Colorado’s Capitol, which opened in 1894, will be among the first in the nation to benefit from a geothermal system.
The DOE grant will provide $4.6 million for an open-loop geothermal system that will save the state an estimated $95,000 in heating and cooling costs in the first year alone.
“This is a great project to highlight the significant potential that geothermal energy has here in Colorado, and it serves as a shining example of how the New Energy Economy creates jobs, diversifies our energy resources and bolsters energy security,” Gov. Ritter said. “By tapping into the steady temperature below the earth’s surface we will be able to heat and cool the Capitol building with a reliable and clean source of renewable energy at a reduced cost to the people of Colorado.”
The total cost of the project is an estimated $6 million, with $1.4 million funded by the state through Certificates of Participation and a lease-purchase agreement with Chevron.
Under the agreement Chevron will guarantee utility savings are sufficient to make the annual lease-purchase payments.
“Today’s announcement is another example of how the Recovery Act is benefiting Colorado and states across the country. This project will help save taxpayers money, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and support Colorado’s role as a leader in the clean energy economy of the future,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
The first phase of the project, which began last week, will drill a well deeper than 900 feet down into the Arapahoe Aquifer, with a second phase beginning in the spring that will include HVAC upgrades and drilling a second well.
Water will be pulled from the aquifer to take advantage of consistent 55-degree temperatures that can be used to heat the building in the winter and cool the building in the summer.
The project follows a similar instillation in which a geothermal ground source heat pump was installed at the Governor’s Residence in 2009.
The instillation has shown considerable energy savings by reducing the natural gas load by 70 percent and the electricity by 15 percent at the Residence.
Topics: Arapahoe Aquifer, business, Chevron, clean energy, Colorado, conservation, cooling, cost savings, Department of Energy, DOE, economic development, economic growth, Economy, employment, energy, energy efficiency, energy savings, environment, Georgia Governor's Cup, geothermal heating, geothermal system, Governor Bill Ritter, Governor's Mansion, ground source heat pump, HVAC upgrades, investment, jobs, natural gas, renewable energy, State Capitol building
Print This Article in Plain Text
|
|
Latest Headlines
- Osama Bin Laden Dead?
- Florida To Share $1 Billion For Gulf Coast Restoration Efforts
- Texas Prays For Rain During Extreme Drought Conditions
- Governor Christie Takes Action To Reduce Diesel Emissions, Improve Air Quality
- Governor McDonnell Outlines Draft Transportation Improvement Program
- Alaska Energy Bill Passes Legislature
- Illinois State Building Receives ENERGY STAR Award
- Homeland Security Begins Using National Terrorism Advisory System
- U.S. Outlines New Health Insurance Options For Graduating College Students
- Electrolux Expands In North Carolina, To Create 200 Jobs In Charlotte
- Virginia Storm Victims To Receive Tax Extension
- U.S. Expands Broadband Investment For Rural Areas To Accelerate Job Creation
- U.S. To Invest $130 Million For Advanced Energy Research
- Michigan Passes “I’m Sorry” Bill
- Kentucky Sells Two State Aircraft To Save Taxpayer Dollars
