Boise, Idaho receives $1 million grant to expand geothermal district heating

The city of Boise, Idaho has been awarded $1 million to expand its historical geothermal district heating scheme – one of the oldest and the largest direct-use geothermal system in the United States. This expansion will make geothermal heating available to about 300 affordable-housing units in the Lusk district, resulting in up to 80% lower utility bills.

“We know housing affordability is about more than rent,” said Mayor Lauren McLean. “Families need to be able to heat and cool their homes, afford groceries for their dinner tables and gas for their cars. Winning this award puts Boise on the map and will provide meaningful savings for up to 300 new, affordable homes.”

The award comes from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayor’s Challenge, where Boise was among the top 24 out of 630 cities worldwide to be selected for the prize. The challenge called for cities to find innovative and creative solutions to prominent issues including affordable housing, environmental problems, emergency services, and waste management.

Findings from a feasibility study, also funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, allowed the city to work through many of those issues and pursue a public-private partnership to pilot the expansion in an upcoming affordable housing development. Once implemented, the project will put Boise on the map as the first-ever direct use geothermal system used to heat multifamily affordable housing.

The project will also explore new uses for geothermal, including using the system as a cooling source as well.

Geothermal heating in Boise started in the 1890s at the Warm Springs Water District. It now heats more than 90 buildings in Downtown Boise, including the City Hall, the Idaho Statehouse, and several Boise State University buildings.

Source: City of Boise and Idaho Statesman