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Tompkins County reports big drop in natural gas use but rising bills; officials cite rate and supply changes
Summary
County sustainability staff reported a nearly one-third drop in government natural gas use in 2024 and continued progress on electrification and solar projects, but rising electricity supply and demand charges and lower hydro output left the county—s energy bills higher.
Tompkins County officials on May 6 reported a substantial decline in government natural gas consumption in 2024 but said energy costs rose because of higher supply rates, increased demand charges and lower hydroelectric output.
Terry Carroll, Tompkins County chief sustainability officer, and Haley Delisle, sustainability coordinator, told the county legislature the county—s buildings accounted for the largest portion of energy use. Carroll said natural gas usage fell by nearly a third from 2023 to 2024, a change he attributed to geothermal conversion at the Public Works facility and major HVAC upgrades at the public library and the mental-health building.
"Almost every single building saw a decrease in natural gas usage," Carroll said, crediting work under the county—s Green Facilities program with improved controls and scheduling that reduced wasted heating.
Despite the fuel shift, county electricity costs rose. Carroll said renegotiated energy supply contracts and a New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) rate case that increased delivery and demand charges were major drivers: demand charges for some buildings rose about 50% year over year. He said hydroelectric production at the county—s facility was down compared with recent years, reducing what has been an important offset to electricity costs.
Carroll reported other program highlights: about 30% of the county fleet is partially or fully electrified; the county operates an Enterprise lease program with 23 leased vehicles, 14 of them electrified; solar-powered battery EV charger units ("EV arcs") were installed at three county sites with federal funding secured through Senator Schumer—s office; and 67 induction cooktops and compatible cookware units have been distributed through a partnership with a Healthy Neighborhoods program.
He said the county is still waiting on an IRS reimbursement of just under $1.8 million tied to tax-credit claims that would fund the next phase of green facilities projects including solar canopies and boilers at county buildings. Carroll said county staff have escalated the matter with the IRS and hope to hear within 30 days.
On solar development, Carroll said the Caswell solar development is largely defunct but the county continues to pursue airport solar options with NYSERDA and plans to review 2026 lease expirations for several rooftop systems.
Carroll also described a new EV charging-as-a-service procurement: vendors evaluated about 40 potential sites and the county selected a vendor to install two dual-port 200-kilowatt chargers at the Ithaca airport later in 2025. He said the county will update greenhouse-gas inventories, unveil an employee commute survey and present a district-thermal feasibility study this year.
Legislators asked for more granular cost comparisons and savings estimates tied to specific building retrofits and fuel switching; Carroll said staff could produce further analyses for committee review.
