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County Energy Report: Hydro Credits Raised Savings Even as Overall Energy Costs Rose
Summary
County energy director reported a roughly 8.3% increase in county electricity and natural gas spending in 2025 and said the Waterloo hydroelectric contract produced large monetary credits, totaling about $242,000 in 2025, despite variable generation.
Tompkins County’s energy director presented an overview of government operations energy use and sustainability projects, noting an 8.3% increase in combined electricity and natural gas spending from 2024 to 2025 driven largely by rate increases and weather variability. Terry Carroll told legislators that the county’s long-term power purchase agreement with the Waterloo hydroelectric facility produced monetary credits that saved the county about $242,000 in 2025, even though hydroelectric generation was lower in that year.
Carroll reviewed trends across county divisions, said the airport’s terminal gas consumption warrantst further investigation, and summarized green-facilities upgrades (new boilers at the Human Services Building), pending solar interconnections, and a district geothermal study. He also reviewed fleet electrification (about 27.5% of fleet electrified by count) and explained barriers to rapid electrification for highway and sheriff vehicle types. The county continues to review electricity contracts, battery energy storage opportunities, and options for rooftop and landfill solar.
