Massachusetts is set to become a hub for renewable energy, thanks in part to the Trump administration's efforts. The US Department of Energy has approved an $8.6 million grant that will allow the nation's first utility-led geothermal heating and cooling network to double in size.
The project, which was completed by gas and electric utility Eversource Energy in partnership with the city of Framingham and non-profit organization HEET, is a significant step forward for renewable energy in the US. The network provides heating and cooling to around 140 residential and commercial customers in the western suburb of Boston, using low-temperature thermal energy from dozens of boreholes drilled several hundred feet below ground.
The expansion project, which aims to roughly double Framingham's geothermal network capacity at half the cost of the initial buildout, is seen as a major victory for geothermal energy. The Trump administration's support for geothermal energy has been evident in its efforts to promote clean energy sources, including an executive order declaring an energy emergency that expressed support for a limited mix of energy resources.
The project's success is also a testament to the growing recognition of geothermal energy as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. According to experts, the efficiency of the network is anticipated to increase as it grows, requiring fewer boreholes to expand. This improvement is due to the different heating and cooling needs of individual buildings, which increasingly balance each other out as the network grows.
As part of its efforts to promote clean energy sources, the Trump administration has also reorganized the US Department of Energy, creating a new Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office that will oversee geothermal energy initiatives. The decision to support geothermal energy is seen as a significant departure from the previous administration's focus on wind and solar power.
With this latest development, Massachusetts is set to become a leader in renewable energy, with Eversource Energy aiming to start construction of the expansion project by the end of 2026. As the network grows, it is expected to provide a model for other cities and utilities looking to transition to clean energy sources.
The project, which was completed by gas and electric utility Eversource Energy in partnership with the city of Framingham and non-profit organization HEET, is a significant step forward for renewable energy in the US. The network provides heating and cooling to around 140 residential and commercial customers in the western suburb of Boston, using low-temperature thermal energy from dozens of boreholes drilled several hundred feet below ground.
The expansion project, which aims to roughly double Framingham's geothermal network capacity at half the cost of the initial buildout, is seen as a major victory for geothermal energy. The Trump administration's support for geothermal energy has been evident in its efforts to promote clean energy sources, including an executive order declaring an energy emergency that expressed support for a limited mix of energy resources.
The project's success is also a testament to the growing recognition of geothermal energy as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. According to experts, the efficiency of the network is anticipated to increase as it grows, requiring fewer boreholes to expand. This improvement is due to the different heating and cooling needs of individual buildings, which increasingly balance each other out as the network grows.
As part of its efforts to promote clean energy sources, the Trump administration has also reorganized the US Department of Energy, creating a new Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office that will oversee geothermal energy initiatives. The decision to support geothermal energy is seen as a significant departure from the previous administration's focus on wind and solar power.
With this latest development, Massachusetts is set to become a leader in renewable energy, with Eversource Energy aiming to start construction of the expansion project by the end of 2026. As the network grows, it is expected to provide a model for other cities and utilities looking to transition to clean energy sources.
I'm totally stoked about this news, but at the same time, I think we're being way too optimistic about geothermal energy... like, are we really sure it's gonna be that sustainable? 
And what about all those boreholes drilled down in the ground? Don't they kinda mess with the environment? 
And don't even get me started on the efficiency of these networks - isn't it just a bunch of fancy science that's gonna break down as soon as it gets scaled up? 
I mean, I'm all for clean energy and all, but let's not forget we're still dealing with some pretty complex issues here... 
! geothermal energy is literally gonna save our planet lol, can't believe trump actually supported it 
. i'm all about that clean energy life 
. i mean, who needs boring old wind and solar when you can harness heat from the earth 
, doubling the size of the network will give people even more options for heating and cooling their homes 
. i'm so hyped that massachusetts is becoming a hub for renewable energy 
, it's gonna be awesome to see other cities follow suit 
. eversource energy you're doing our planet a solid 
, keep on keeping on with the geothermal vibes 
!
. It's amazing to see how far we've come since the initial buildout of the network, and now it's doubling in size 
. And let's not forget about HEET and the city of Framingham, who are all working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this vision to life 
. It's clear that geothermal energy is the future, and Massachusetts is leading the way 
It's all about harnessing that underground heat to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. I'm loving how Massachusetts is stepping up its game and becoming a hub for renewable energy. The fact that Eversource Energy is already seeing a return on investment by doubling their geothermal network capacity at half the cost of the initial buildout is just fire 
I am literally SOOOO hyped about this!!! 
Massachusetts is finally taking steps in the right direction with geothermal energy! 
They were way ahead of their time (or maybe they just knew how to make a good PR move 
) but honestly who cares about the politics behind it, what matters is that we're getting more renewable energy and less fossil fuels! 
And think about all those buildings balancing each other out, it's like they're having their own little climate party! 
We need more projects like this happening ASAP! 
Massachusetts is gonna be a leader in renewable energy and I couldn't be more proud! 
. Eversource Energy's partnership with the city of Framingham and HEET non-profit is a win-win for everyone involved. I love how the Trump administration's support for geothermal energy has led to this project 
. It's like, we're finally making progress on our renewable energy goals 
️. And it's not just about geothermal - it's also about creating jobs and stimulating local economies 
.
️ This is awesome news! I'm so glad the Trump admin's efforts are paying off in a big way. Geothermal energy is super promising & it's great that MA is stepping up as a leader. 
I'm loving this news about Massachusetts becoming a hub for renewable energy! It's amazing how far we've come in just a few years. I mean, geothermal energy was always a game-changer, but now it's finally getting the recognition it deserves. 
The fact that Eversource Energy is able to expand their network without breaking the bank is a major win too - it's all about making clean energy accessible to more people. 
This is definitely something that'll have other cities looking up to Massachusetts as an example of how to make the transition to clean energy. Can't wait to see what the future holds! 
. I mean, we've known about its benefits for ages, but only now are they throwing money at it like it's going out of style 
. It's also cool that Eversource Energy is doing most of this on their own dime, no need for taxpayer subsidies 
.
its amazing that trump's admin was able to make geothermal energy happen. i mean we all know he had his ups and downs but promoting clean energy at least is one thing he did right