During the latest Board of Public Utilities meeting, General Manager David Leathers updated the board on where the BPU is at with their Retool District Heating Project.

The current system has been looked at and some repairs have been done over the last few weeks. The FlexTech process has begun, with several manufacturers signed up and working through the process with NYSERDA.

“This is in parallel to … trying to progress the Retool District Heating project is to get our manufacturing companies in the industrial corridor to look at their heating future,” Leathers said.

Leathers added that the companies will look at how the energy is emitted from them and whether the district heating process makes sense for them. He also talked with leadership the week before the meeting about the project and more specifically, thermal energy systems in the state.

“We’ve been trying to get input, guidance, potentially support from NYPA as we move forward with the project,” Leathers said. “So, we’re pretty excited about that.”

Leathers said they will continue to talk with NYSERDA and have a meeting set with the Department of Public Service in a few weeks.

Leathers also updated the board on the ongoing negotiations process with the Department of Energy and City of Jamestown for the city’s community microgrid project. While it is still baby steps, Leathers said he thought they were beginning to move forward.

“Closer only means a few more months before we are ready to hit the pull button on that project, but everything seems to be in alignment with what they are asking for,” Leathers said.

Leathers briefly discussed other projects, studies and grants happening in the city, such as the Engineering Planning Grant. He also reported having productive engineering meetings for the Cassadaga Well House Station and Water System Expansion analysis. Leathers said they will cover those in committee meetings in July.