LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new geothermal well field should supply the Nebraska Capitol with cool air and heat in one year.The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the well field is part of the first phase of a 10-year Capitol renovation project. The $106 million project also includes window repair, fire alarm upgrades and new emergency electrical generator.
State officials have closed off an area to drill wells and route large carrier pipes beneath the street. The closed-loop system will keep a liquid solution flowing between the well field and the Capitol to absorb and shed the building’s heat.
Capitol Administrator Robert Ripley says the ground’s temperature will cool the solution within the pipes. He says the building’s heat will return as cool air after traveling into the ground.
Construction is expected to be completed within a year.