Federal Programs.

Draft – 10/05

An aggressive multi year program using geoexchange technology, as a tool, to bring energy self-sufficiency, by reducing our dependency on foreign oil. Environmental security through the reduction of green house gas emissions. Supporting sustained economic development through the establishment of the necessary infrastructure and the promotion of water conservation in the United States.,

TITLE I—SHORT TITLE
“GeoExchange Technology Market Transformation Initiative

TITLE II—FINDINGS

Sec. 101. Geoexchange ; a technology that uses the earth’s thermal properties, in conjunction with electricity, to heat and cool facilities, is the best method for providing energy self reliance and reducing national dependency on foreign oil.

Sec. 102. An expansion of the national infrastructure for deployment of geoexchange technology is needed. This would have a major impact on Economic Development by creating more jobs at all levels of the Technology.
(One commercial project creates or retains 22 jobs, not including the pipe manufacturer or the compressor manufacturer.)

Sec. 103. Geoexchange systems are becoming an established international energy conservation technology.

Title III—TARGETED MARKET INITIATIVE

Sec. 201. A targeted market initiative shall be established for large-scale residential, commercial, institutional, governmental and industrial energy users.

Sec. 202. The targeted market initiative shall facilitate the development of private sector strategic partnerships.

(a) The partnerships should facilitate rapid reduction of energy demand by:
I-Owning and/or using geoexchange technology, or
II-Becoming part of the infrastructure that designs, manufactures or installs the technology, or
III-Financing geoexchange systems.

Cont:

(b) The recruitment of strategic partnerships should include:
IV-GeoExchange Industry members and Trade allies
V -Unions
VI -Trade associations e.g.;
- Edison Electrical Institute (EEI)
- National Ground Water Association (NGWA)
- National Rural Electrical Cooperative (NREC)
- Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
- American Refrigeration Institute (ARI)
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
VII - Utilities & Energy Services Companies

NOTE: Reasons for cooperation -
• Implementing the rapid reduction of energy consumption without compromising our standard of living
• Installation of geoexchange systems, reducing our dependency on foreign oil, creating jobs and reducing the rate of unemployment.

Sec. 203. Require evaluation of geoexchange technology in all construction with a reporting requirement if geoexchange technology is determined to not be feasible.

Sec. 204.Include standard analysis for determination of GHP’s in any project to eliminate the “just because” syndrome.

Sec. 205. Mandate that “ IGSHPA Qualified “ or “Certified” personnel will be preferred or given more consideration on “ RFQ’s or RFP’s “.

Title IV—GUARANTEED REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM

NOTE: Revolving loan program provides vehicle for public institutions and agencies to participate in energy initiative

Sec. 301. A zero percent interest loan program shall be established to help finance the expansion of the national infrastructure for deployment of geoexchange technology and other energy efficient equipment.

Cont:

Sec. 302. Savings from energy reduction by the end-user would support repayment of the loan and reinvestment

Sec. 303. These loans would only be approved after it has been determined that the project is valid and complete and has all the necessary “qualifications” and certifications” necessary to insure a successful project.

TITLE V—TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, AND TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE

The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association and its partners have training, certification, and technology assistance programs in place. These programs are the accepted industry standard.

Subtitle A—Training
Sec. 401. The mobilization of a large work force is required to implement an aggressive installation plan.

Sec. 402. Industry professionals would be trained to design, install, and maintain geoexchange systems.

Sec. 403. IGSHPA and its affiliate organizations would issue accreditation of industry professional.

Subtitle B—Certification

Sec. 501. Quality design and its execution are critical to the efficiency of reducing heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water energy demands.

Sec. 502. Architects and engineers shall receive training, testing, and certification in the design and installation of Geoexchange systems.

Sec. 503. A Certified GeoExchange Designer (CGD) shall direct the design of a Geoexchange system as well as hybrid system.

Sec. 504. An existing cooperative certification program is in operation. IGSHPA, the Association of Energy Engineers, and the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium certify industry professionals.

Cont:

Subtitle C—Technology Assistance

Sec. 601. Establish a central location where industry professionals and the end-user can access materials that help them in their energy conservation and reduction decisions. (This could be web based and Internet accessible.

Sec. 602. Dissemination of current documentation on the energy-smart choice to use ground source heat pump technology. This would also be accessible on the Internet.

Sec. 603. Develop and distribute new information documentation and tools.

Title V—RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 701. Accelerate research to reduce cost-over-runs in Geoexchange loop systems design and installation.

Sec. 702. Continue research in improving design and installation methods.

Sec. 703. Refine current tools and / or develop new decision-making tools to educate industry professionals.

Title VI—PROGRAM EXECUTION AND EVALUATION

NOTE: include statistics gathering, central database) – monitoring of utilization of the technology cost-savings analysis

Subtitle A—Program Execution

Sec. 801. The Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium (GHPC) and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Assoc. (IGSHPA) should manage the program jointly.

Sec. 802.A National initiative to promote and establish the participant’s e.g.: Utilities, Designers, Installers, Drillers, Manufacturers, Trade Allies, Unions,
Government entities etc.

Cont:

Sec. 803. Training of the Instructors for the various certification programs and the identification of participating Colleges, Universities, Trade or Vocational Schools where the curriculum would be taught.

Subtitle B—Program Evaluation ( R.I.D.E.)

This program is a tool to allow closer evaluation and classification of this technology. It also provides an opportunity to create a portfolio of energy efficient facilities that can be used for emerging technologies, such as fuel cells.

Sec. 901. Registration – establish a central database to record all statistical data relevant to monitoring geoexchange installations (This could be web based)
a. Implement, on a national level, the registration of current geoexchange systems
b. Require the registration of all future commercial and residential geoexchange projects

Sec. 902. Inspection - Establish training programs for the development of personnel to inspect all geoexchange projects to insure the integrity of the technology and the design. They would report back to the State agency that would have jurisdiction over the program. These inspectors could have an industry certification that could be tracked and or “bonded”.

Sec. 903. Documentation- all pertinent information on the project would be captured during this segment of the process. This would note any changes from the initial information and would verify the end user contact information for future use.

Sec. 904. Evaluation- this would be the follow up to check if the systems are working the way they were designed and also to measure the true kW reduction.
This would allow the metrics to be calculated easily and could be used in the future for any “tax credit” program that may develop. This could also be used to determine the amount of “employment” opportunities this initiative was responsible for.

Cont:

Title VII—Tax Credits
Public Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water etc.) would be allowed to trade tax credits to reap financial benefits from reducing energy through the use of GeoExchange technology (every ton of installed capacity equals .55-.88 kW reduction). The utilities or participants could trade or sell the credits to plants that use coal or other nonrenewable power sources. This would encourage the use of renewable energy and would guarantee America’s long term commitment to clean energy, environmental stewardship and energy independence. The tax credit would only be applied or obtained after the installation is complete, recorded and approved.
There could also be a provision for other industries to participate, such as oil and natural gas companies and receive the same consideration on the tax credits.

Title viii—Ways to Participate
Sec. 1001. Geoexchange Loop system Ownership or Geoexchange Loop System Leasing.
Sec. 1002. Development of the infrastructure, Active participant in the promotion
Of the Technology etc.

Title VIII—Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 1101. Request, fifteen million dollars for an aggressive three year program promoting GeoExchange a technology that is “Here and Now” and a technology that can:
? Reduce our dependency on foreign oil by as much as 35% and promote a sustainable energy environment

? Reduce Green House Gas Emissions by 40%, which could bring the U.S. into compliance with the Kyoto goals without impacting our businesses.

? Support economic growth through the development of the necessary infrastructure (Jobs) to sustain the use of GeoExchange technology now and in the future.

Cont:

? Reduce Electric Demand nationwide through the use of a “Power Reduction Renewable” technology which could eliminate the burden on the Electric Power Producers, and reduce the risk of brownouts and blackouts.

? Promote Water Conservation; a cooling tower uses 22 gals. of water daily, per ton of capacity (in a moderate climate, running 10 hours a day), in the closed loop technology of GHP’s, evaporation does not occur, thus saving thousands of gallons of water daily.

Sec. 1102. Budgeting; listed below is some suggested dollar amounts for this initiative.
? Targeted Market Initiative-$3M
? Revolving Loan Program- $ 4M
? Training /Certification Program, Technology Assistance-$4M
? Research and Development- $3M
? Program Execution and Evaluation-$1M

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