Pielli tours Geothermal facility, touts need for clean energy
Rep. Chris Pielli April 3, 2025 | 1:06 PM
WEST CHESTER, April 3 – State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, stood alongside community leaders at West Chester University to amplify the call to bring more clean energy to Pennsylvania. The group then toured the Geothermal Exchange System at the university.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that in 2023, Pennsylvania consumed 2.2 trillion British Thermal Units of geothermal energy, most of which comes from western states like California and Nevada.
West Chester University’s current geothermal system produces 37% less CO2, 73% less SO2, and 71% less NOx than the previous system. It also discharges no particulate pollution into the atmosphere. Studies show that approximately 70% of the energy used in a geoexchange heating and cooling system is renewable energy from the ground.
“Pennsylvania thrives when we innovate,” Pielli said. “Average or below-average production of clean energy is unacceptable. We need to produce more energy using renewable sources. The folks here at West Chester University are doing just that by leading the way in geothermal production.”
Pennsylvania is the third-largest producer of electricity in the country but also has the fourth-highest carbon dioxide emissions as of 2022. Pennsylvania’s largest providers of in-state electricity generation are natural gas (59%), nuclear (32%), coal (5%) and renewables (4%).
“We have a tremendous opportunity to explore alternative energy sources here in Pennsylvania. Whether it’s harnessing the wind, sun, natural waterways, or yes, even the heat from the ground beneath our feet, these methods of creating energy must become a mainstay in our portfolio,” Pielli said.