Rare win for renewable energy: Trump admin funds geothermal network expansion

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced an $8.6 million grant aimed at expanding the nation’s inaugural utility-led geothermal heating and cooling network. This initiative will allow the existing network to double in size, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy. Gas and electric utility provider Eversource Energy, which successfully completed the first phase of its geothermal network in Framingham, Massachusetts, is a co-recipient of this funding. The award is shared with the city of Framingham and HEET, a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting geothermal energy, which is the primary recipient of the grant. Geothermal networks are recognized for their efficiency in heating and cooling buildings. With this federal funding, Eversource plans to add around 140 new customers to the Framingham network and will support research aimed at monitoring the system’s performance. This funding was initially announced in December 2024 under the Biden administration, although the final contract with HEET was not completed until late September. As the Trump administration seeks to reduce billions in clean energy funding, including significant cuts in Massachusetts, this agreement represents a vital opportunity for demonstrating the potential of geothermal technology. "This award is an opportunity and a responsibility to clearly demonstrate and quantify the growth potential of geothermal network technology," stated Zeyneb Magavi, executive director of HEET. Currently, the existing geothermal system serves about 140 residential and commercial clients in the western Boston suburb. It operates by extracting low-temperature thermal energy from numerous boreholes drilled several hundred feet underground, where temperatures consistently hover around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Water circulates through pipes connecting the boreholes to each building, with electric heat pumps providing additional heating or cooling as required. Framingham’s mayor, Charlie Sisitsky, emphasized the importance of this project, stating, "By harnessing the natural heat from the earth, we are taking a significant step towards enhancing our energy independence and promoting abundant local energy sources."