Mayor Michelle Wu Allocates $45 Million for Boston Networked Geothermal Energy Microgrids

BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council announced on Monday the approval of a $45 million municipal capital appropriation through the Boston Green New Deal Infrastructure Fund to drill and install shallow-bore networked geothermal district energy systems connecting 1,200 municipal public housing units and community community centers in Mattapan and East Boston.

The municipal clean heating and cooling microgrids replace failing, fossil-fueled hydronic oil and gas boilers with ground-source heat pump loop fields drilled beneath municipal parks and parking lots, delivering zero-emission heating in winter and whole-home cooling during severe summer heat waves.

Eliminating Carbon Emissions and Slashing Utility Bills for Working Families Low-income urban residents often face acute energy burdens, spending over ten percent of their household income on inefficient heating, while lacking central air conditioning during dangerous summer temperature spikes.

"Access to clean, comfortable, and affordable heating and cooling is a fundamental right for every family in Boston," Mayor Michelle Wu said during an announcement at the Franklin Field public housing development in Dorchester. "By replacing fossil fuel boilers with networked geothermal loops drilled right under our feet, we are drastically cutting carbon emissions, improving indoor air quality, and lowering monthly energy bills for our residents. Boston is proving that cities can lead the transition to renewable energy while putting equity and climate justice first."

Geothermal District Features The $45 million capital program finances:

• 250 Closed-Loop Subterranean Geothermal Boreholes: Drilled to depths of 600 feet to harness constant 55-degree ground temperatures.
• High-Efficiency Water-to-Water Heat Pump Centrals: Providing clean thermal circulation for heating, domestic hot water, and chilled air conditioning.
• Local Green Trades Apprenticeships: $5 million dedicated for local union pipefitters and HVAC technician training programs in environmental justice neighborhoods.

Tenant advocacy groups, environmental health federations, and green building associations commended the municipal council action, highlighting that networked geothermal provides reliable, weather-resilient community energy.