Launch of the Geothermal Drillers Association: Pioneering a Sustainable Future

Albany, NY (April 8, 2024)– In a significant stride towards sustainable energy advancement, the Geothermal Drillers Association (GDA) was formally organized after the reception of the NY-GEO Conference. Founded by industry luminaries, the GDA aspires to champion the geothermal drilling sector's growth, innovation, and safety standards. Alongside Brock Yordy and Robert Meyer, several other significant leaders and voices in the industry have organized to bring about this invaluable geothermal association.

Garrett Carrino, Owner of American Well & Pump in NYC, Dave Bowers, Facilitator at Geothermal Well Driller Apprenticeship of Local 150 of the IUOE, Chuck Appleby, Chairman of the Connecticut Plumbing and Piping Examining Board, and Tony Brokaw, President/COO at Midwest Geothermal, will also serve as founding board members, helping to grow and enhance this association within the industry and beyond. Together, these industry experts aim to unite existing trade organizations into a sense of cooperation, delineate focus areas, and achieve the greater mission of supporting the Driller in as many ways as possible.

Fueling the Transition With Geothermal Energy

Geothermal heating and cooling harness the Earth's constant underground temperature to provide a sustainable, efficient energy source for heating and cooling buildings. This method, tapping into the renewable heat beneath the Earth's surface, offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels, promising a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The integration of geothermal drilling into this framework marks a transformative step towards unlocking this underutilized energy resource. As the world seeks renewable alternatives to reduce carbon footprints and mitigate climate change, geothermal energy, accessible through advanced drilling techniques, stands out for its ability to provide continuous, reliable power regardless of weather conditions. This reliability, coupled with the minimal environmental impact of geothermal systems, underscores the invaluable role of geothermal drilling in shaping a sustainable energy landscape. Through innovative drilling practices, the geothermal drilling industry is pivotal in making geothermal energy a cornerstone of global energy strategies, offering a pathway to significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and advance toward energy independence and environmental preservation. As Rory Christian, Chair of the New York State Public Service Commission, stated, “Revolution happens quickly, and this one [geothermal] is happening before our eyes.”

A Unified Vision for Growth and Safety

The formation of the GDA comes at a crucial time as the global push towards geothermal energy gains momentum. Recognizing the need for a dedicated organization to support the unique challenges and opportunities within the geothermal drilling industry, the GDA aims to foster collaboration, education, and safety, ensuring the sector's sustainable development and success.

The association targets geothermal drillers and associated field leaders, providing a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovation to propel the industry forward. The association is formed in direct collaboration with the National Groundwater Association (NGWA) and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA).

A Commitment From the Founders

The founding officers have expressed their vision and dedication to the GDA's mission in interviews after the triumphant launch announcement Monday night, emphasizing the association's role in advancing geothermal drilling and contributing to a greener planet.

In capturing his response to “Why,” Robert Meyer offered, “We must remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting safe equipment and work practices, training, workforce development, professional licensure, teaming arrangements, quality control, and standards. Education and safety are the principal focuses of the organization.”

Meanwhile, Brock Yordy explained, “In the past four decades, the demand for drilling to install ground source heat loops has risen and declined multiple times. This uncertainty has left water well drillers and industrial drilling companies skeptical about how long the next boom will last.

However, today's demand is the highest it's ever been, with incentives that will last through 2032. Two Hundred Countries and the United States have committed to being carbon neutral by 2050. Geothermal is the most reliable and secure way to save our planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, the major perceived bottleneck to installing more ground source geothermal is the lack of committed drillers & drilling companies. The Geothermal Drillers Association aims to align drilling companies, drillers, and a new emerging workforce to existing and new opportunities to eliminate the idea that our field is the bottleneck to these net zero goals.”

When asked about the GDA’s launch, Dave Bowers stated, “We stand at a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop the workforce for the future.”

As for Chuck Appleby, he, too, focused on the future of the geothermal space and collaboration, “In an effort to cultivate a vibrant future for geothermal drilling, we must actively engage the younger generation, integrating educational outreach with compelling workshops to spark interest in our workforce training programs. It's crucial that we enhance and incentivize apprenticeship programs across well drilling, HVAC, and electrical trades while also harmonizing state licensing requirements. Our industry is at a pivotal moment of growth and evolution, necessitating a concerted effort from all stakeholders to accelerate our progress and ensure a robust, sustainable future for geothermal energy."

Join the Movement

The GDA invites geothermal drillers, industry professionals, and supporters to join its mission to promote sustainable energy solutions and advance the geothermal drilling industry. For more information and to become part of this pioneering effort, please contact info@geothermaldrillersassociation.org.

About the Geothermal Drillers Association

The Geothermal Drillers Association (GDA) is a newly established entity poised to play a transformative role in the evolving landscape of the geothermal industry in the United States. With a deep commitment to enhancing safety standards, fostering educational advancement, and advocating for professional development within the sector, GDA has emerged as a critical advocate for excellence in geothermal drilling practices. The association significantly emphasizes safe equipment usage, workforce training, professional licensure, collaborative teaming arrangements, stringent quality control measures, and establishing industry-wide standards.

Recognizing a notable gap in these areas at national and local levels, GDA was conceived to unite the geothermal drilling community under a singular purpose-driven organization. This unity is supported by a board with a diverse geographic focus, ensuring comprehensive representation and advocacy across the industry's spectrum. Despite the geographic diversity of its founding members, their unified support for GDA's mission expedites the organization's establishment, allowing it to become mission-focused quickly.

Structured as a membership-based organization, GDA is financially sustained through its members' dues, ensuring day-to-day operations are well-supported. Moreover, GDA seeks to foster relationships with existing organizations through memorandums of understanding (MOUs), which are instrumental in maintaining a sharp focus on its core mission and facilitating shared memberships. These strategic alliances are a testament to GDA's collaborative spirit and dedication to elevating the geothermal drilling industry to new heights of safety, efficiency, and innovation.