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Geothermal feasibility study finds district system limited by site conditions; test borehole and tax-credit potential next steps
Summary
A feasibility study found a district geothermal system could serve the new Center of Government and the old jail but would not easily encompass the main courthouse or nearby neighbors because of a shallow pressured aquifer and limited borehole depth and placement; a test borehole and potential federal tax credits were discussed as next steps.
Tompkins County staff briefed the Downtown Facility Special Committee on a geothermal district feasibility study on Sept. 2, 2025, reporting that site‑specific constraints limit the scope of a shared geothermal loop but that a partial district serving the new Center of Government and the old jail is technically possible and may be economically attractive with federal incentives.
Terry (project consultant) said a pressured shallow aquifer about 200 feet below grade limits borehole depth in the area; because of that, the team conservatively estimated drillable depth at roughly 175 feet in this block. He said "the first challenge...is that Ithaca sits on a shallow water aquifer...if you penetrate that then you start to run…
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