UAlbany Launches $30M Decarbonization Project
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 10, 2025) — A $30 million decarbonization project announced Monday at the University at Albany will enable the campus to shut down its gas-fired boilers during the summer months and significantly reduce its fossil fuel consumption.
The project will replace two gas-fired absorption chillers in the University’s 1960s-era central Power Plant on the Uptown Campus with a high-efficiency electric centrifugal chiller and a heat recovery chiller connected to a new geothermal well field in the Dutch Quad parking lot.
The chiller project is part of SUNY’s aggressive push to decarbonize its footprint across the state as New York strives to meet the ambitious goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), a 2019 law that requires an 85 percent reduction in New York’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“Universities must lead not only by expanding our scientific understanding of climate change, but also by taking concrete steps to mitigate it. I am proud that UAlbany is committed to both,” UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez said. “This decarbonization project is a major step in reducing our campus greenhouse gas emissions and embodies our resolve to lead on climate by example.”
A Greener Future
Rodríguez announced the project Monday as crews this month began drilling geothermal test wells in the Dutch Quad parking lot. He was joined by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and members of Upgrade NY, a coalition of climate advocates, building industry representatives, unions and environmental groups that have been advocating for more funding to decarbonize state-owned buildings.
“SUNY is committed to creating and implementing climate solutions like thermal energy networks, and with nearly 3,000 buildings and over 111 million square feet of space, we have a vital role in establishing a cleaner, energy-efficient future and achieving Gov. Hochul’s ambitious climate agenda,” Chancellor King said. “Today’s announcement is a testament to UAlbany’s leadership in clean energy and is a blueprint for campuses nationwide looking to reduce fossil fuel use.”
UAlbany’s chiller project was funded in the 2023-24 state budget and includes modifying domestic hot water systems in more than 25 buildings and installing new low-temperature hot water piping in the campus’ athletic facilities. These upgrades will allow the campus to shut down its gas-fired boilers during the summer months and use the new geothermal heat recovery chiller to meet cooling as well as 100 percent of heating and domestic hot water loads during the summer. The new geothermal heat recovery chiller will also provide 100 percent of the heating, cooling and domestic hot water to achieve an all-electric renovated Physical Education building.
The new Dutch Quad geothermal well field will have between 90 and 135 wells dug as deep as 800 feet—smaller in footprint but nearly 300 feet deeper than the geothermal wells at UAlbany’s ETEC building on the Harriman State Office Campus.
Overall, the project will reduce the University's annual natural gas usage by an estimated 16 percent even as it adds additional cooling capacity.
Also this month, crews will be drilling test geothermal wells in the State Quad parking lot for UAlbany’s proposed $250 million Health Innovation & Technology Building, which will house a satellite Energy Hub with additional heat-recovery chillers critical to UAlbany’s decarbonization strategy.
In addition to the labs and teaching spaces inside the Health Tech building, the new satellite Energy Hub and associated geothermal well field would help sustainably heat and cool 700,000 square feet of adjacent buildings on the Academic Podium while reducing the campus’ fossil fuel consumption by an additional estimated 16 percent.
Combined, the central Power Plant upgrades and Health Tech building could reduce the fossil fuel consumption on the Uptown Campus by as much as one-third.
UAlbany has also developed a Clean Energy Master Plan to decarbonize the Downtown Campus and is currently seeking state funding for that project.
Unified Support
Senator Patricia Fahy said, “This $30 million decarbonization project is a game-changer for UAlbany, replacing aging gas-fired boilers with cutting-edge electric chillers and a geothermal system that will significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption by up to 16%. By continuing to reduce reliance on gas-powered infrastructure, UAlbany is exemplifying how SUNY institutions—which account for 40% of all state-owned properties in New York State—are leading the way toward a carbon-free future. I’m proud to have supported this investment in the FY2024 state budget, which not only aligns with New York’s ambitious climate goals but also makes UAlbany a model for clean energy transition, fiscal responsibility, and sustainable campuses throughout the state."
Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero said, “College campuses so often lead the way when it comes to social, political, and scientific progress. UAlbany is proving this with its decarbonization project, which will drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their campus and move New York toward our goal of an 85 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, "Two years ago I sponsored legislation that was ultimately included in the NYS budget to initiate the Upgrade NY effort to invest $30 million for this geothermal decarbonization project. I have frequently said that the State of New York must lead by example when it comes to building renewable energy and through this effort the state will be committing resources and working with the labor community to help create middle-class jobs. Congratulations to UAlbany and thank you to all of the Upgrade NY partners who Senator Hinchey and I worked with to make this effort a reality."
Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, “This is exactly the kind of ambitious project we need to see if the state is serious about leading by example and decarbonizing its largest and most polluting facilities. Tapping clean energy from underground through thermal energy networks and shuttering fossil-fuel powered chillers and boilers that pollute our air and contribute to climate change—this is what our clean energy future looks like. We applaud Gov. Hochul and the State Legislature for funding this game-changing approach and commend the University at Albany—my alma mater, of which I am so proud—for walking the walk on their commitment to a sustainable future.”
Gary LaBarbera, president of NYS Building Trades, said, “This decarbonization effort at UAlbany represents yet another clean energy initiative that will help New York achieve its climate goals while creating thousands of good-paying union careers through a project labor agreement. We applaud the school for committing to cutting down on fossil fuels and generating accessible pathways to the middle class for hardworking New Yorkers and their families. Our tradesmen and tradeswomen look forward to getting started on this project that will help our environment and boost our economy.”
Lisa Dix, NY director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, said, “University at Albany is leading the way towards an affordable and scaled clean energy future for the entire state. This groundbreaking thermal energy network—six times more efficient than other electrification strategies—will provide reliable, renewable and cost-effective heating and cooling to the entire campus, reduce strain on the electric grid, expand the clean energy industry, create union jobs and serve as an anchor to eventually decarbonize entire communities around this campus. With UAlbany showcasing its dedication and drive to be a climate leader, it is critical for Gov. Hochul and the Legislature to keep this momentum going and provide continued support and dedicated funding to build thermal energy networks at all our state and city campuses in New York.”
Ed Nadeau, business manager at New York State Pipe Trades, Local 7, said, “The New York State Pipe Trades and Local 7 are proud to be a part of New York’s leadership to decarbonize its buildings with thermal energy. The University at Albany has given my members the opportunity to work on cutting edge projects and use their skills to create more efficient heating and cooling systems that also create a cleaner environment. Today is the beginning of the creation of a thermal energy network on this campus. Local 7 will be here along with the other trades to bring this network to life. I would like to thank UAlbany, especially Indu, who had the vision to see the vital role that thermal energy networks can play in creating a more efficient and cleaner energy grid for this campus. I would like to thank Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sen. Fahy, Assemblyman Steck and McDonald for securing the funding to make this chiller plant a reality. Today this test drilling shows we can decarbonize our state, improve energy efficiency, and create union jobs that power the middle class.”
Jenille Scott, climate director at ALIGN NY, said, "Today we celebrate the creation of good union jobs, a healthier environment for the students and workers of UAlbany, and a step closer to our urgent climate goals. This groundbreaking is also a call to action—as our climate crisis worsens and new threats to our progress rise, New York must invest in decarbonizing all state-owned buildings and lead the way toward our sustainable future."
Roger Downs, conservation director of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, said, “Educating future generations of New Yorkers to be the drivers of innovation has always been a hallmark of the SUNY system and when it comes to climate solutions, the University at Albany is now at the forefront with its campus decarbonization plans. Thanks to Gov. Hochul and legislature’s $30 million grant in last year’s budget, it is exciting to see the installation of new geothermal systems and high-efficiency electric chillers that will displace the need for natural gas in the summer and build a foundation for year-round, emissions free heating and cooling. The Sierra Club urges the governor and legislature to expand upon this model to campuses statewide, with the understanding that every project funded will save taxpayer money in future energy costs, improve indoor air quality for students, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and create family sustaining jobs across New York State.”