William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman the Rhinebeck Village Board has given geothermal energy company Dandelion Energy Inc. permission use village rights of way to construct systems that would allow residents to change their heating and cooling systems. Mayor Gary Bassett said the company will be able to drill holes that draw hot and cool air from boreholes that are 300 to 400 feet deep. A geothermal system, like those provided by Dandelion, uses a heat pump and a series of underground pipes to move heat between the earth and a structure. An installed geothermal system costs $20,000 for a home between 1,000 and 5,000 square feet in size, after a state rebate from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Dandelion’s communications manager, Luke Stangel, said the specifics of the Rhinebeck project will be reviewed during an upcoming village board meeting. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.