Summary: “To decarbonize Rhode Island buildings at the speed and scale that both state law and reality require, HEET believes we must move at a utility-scale and choose solutions that solve multiple challenges. This is why we proposed in 2017 that a gas utility begin to ‘prune’ the gas tree, replacing old leak-prone and hazardous gas pipe with modern thermal infrastructure: a network of ground source heat pumps with shallow boreholes and thermal loops in the street. This allows gas utility workers (keeping their good jobs) to evolve the gas grid gradually over time to provide non-emitting heating and cooling to their customers, all while minimizing electrification’s impact on the power grid, lowering customer bills, and increasing safety and health. I’ll share the progress in MA, NY, CO, OR, VT and DC as well as what I know of the opportunity in Rhode Island.”