Date: September 4, 2025
Contact: Alyson Baker, abaker@albanyny.gov
Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Albany Community Land Trust Announce Geothermal Project Underway in Sheridan Hollow
ALBANY, NY – Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Albany Community Land Trust announced today that geothermal drilling is underway at two properties in the Sheridan Hollow neighborhood. These boreholes will enable highly efficient geothermal energy to be used to heat and cool 3 residential units and a commercial business.
The Community Land Trust has partnered with the nonprofit owner of the adjacent building, the Orange and Dove St. Legacy Housing Foundation, to share the geothermal resource. This project is unique for Albany with two independent property owners sharing the same resource. An easement agreement is being used to document the shared energy.
Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “I would like to congratulate the Albany Community Land Trust and the partners on this project for such an exciting announcement, bringing clean, renewable, reliable energy to Sheridan Hollow. I am thrilled we were able to use some of the City of Albany’s ARPA funding for projects like this, that resulted in communities working together and coming together to decide how that money should be invested. We want to make sure we are doing everything in our power to make the transition from fossil fuels to clean electricity. The hope and optimism shown through this project is needed now more than ever. Every time we can point to a project like this, and show support like this, we send a message of hope, and the power of what we can do together.”
John Ciovacco, of Aztech Geothermal said, “Geothermal is renewable, reliable and a highly efficient way to heat and cool homes using energy from the earth. Using heat pump technology, heat is transferred from the earth’s stable temperature into buildings in the Winter, while the heat pump removes heat from the building in the Summer. An added benefit is that it eliminates the need for fossil fuels in the home. This has a health and safety benefit – with no combustion source, there is no potential for carbon monoxide or other off-gassing. These two homes in Sheridan Hollow represent the very common types of residential buildings seen throughout the City of Albany. The goal of this project is to outline and demonstrate a strategy to electrify the heating, cooling and hot water for thousands of similar buildings, in dense urban environments across the State”
Geothermal systems cannot be installed in isolation of other building systems. These homes built in 1860 require upgrades that will help the buildings last another 150 years. The project also involves electric system upgrades, increased insulation and new roofs to support successful ongoing operation of the systems.
Jason Chicoine, Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region said, “We are pleased to provide funding for the building repairs that are needed to allow for energy upgrades and improving and creating affordable housing. The Community Loan Fund is excited to support this clean energy pilot project in the neighborhood we call home.”
At completion of construction, the formerly vacant single-family Community Land Trust home will be sold to an income-eligible first-time homebuyer. The three-unit building renovations include commercial space and two affordable rental units.
“Our tenants will benefit from lower utility costs, and safer energy. Keeping our rents affordable long term for our neighbors is central to our mission.” said Thelma Terrell, Orange & Dove St. Legacy Housing Foundation, Revelation Church of God.
Herb McLaughlin, Board President Albany Community Land Trust said,“This is the second 100% clean energy project that the Land Trust has undertaken. In 2023 ACLT rehabbed a home using air source heat pumps, assisted by roof top solar to enhance affordability. The Land Trust is committed to not only making the home purchase affordable, but ongoing ownership as affordable as possible. We thank the many partners who have worked with us to make this project happen. We hope to do many more”
Many partners have made this project a reality. Aztech Geothermal led the design of the geothermal system, Rototec is the borehole driller, FW Webb informed the layout of the interior heat pump equipment, with Family Danz as heat pump installer. The general contractor for the project is Elton Tune, WPNT Construction and TAP PLLC is project architect.
“It is poetic justice that this pilot effort to advance geothermal infrastructure be in Sheridan Hollow on Orange Street; considering that Sheridan Hollow and surrounding neighborhoods have been subjected to environmental injustice since 1911 through exposure to carcinogens and toxins in the form of coal, oil, trash and now fracked gas. While geothermal energy is one of the most effective forms of combatting global warming and negative climate change it is not as well known or understood. This is an important step in spreading public understanding and support for the promotion of geothermal technology.” said Merton D. Simpson, Co-Chair, SHARE and Vice-Chair, Albany County Legislative Black Caucus
Funding for the project comes from NYSERDA’s Cleaner Greener Communities Program as well as EmPower+, the Capital Magnet Fund as administered by the Community Loan Fund, City of Albany ARPA funds as well as County of Albany ARPA funds. Funding from the Department of State’s Brownfield Opportunity Program kicked off this project through work on a Sheridan Hollow Energy Master Plan.
More information is available from the Albany Community Land Trust, 255 Orange St., Albany, NY 12210 518-434-1730 x403 www.AHPhome.org