The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen the complementary relationship that the two associations share.

GEO President and CEO Doug Dougherty, and IGSHPA Executive Director Bob Ingersoll signed the MOU as the two organizations share a common interest in advancing the geothermal/ground-source heat pump industry. 

“GEO is pleased to partner with IGSHPA to promote the geothermal/ground-source heat pump industry,” Dougherty says. “Through joint communication, cooperation and initiatives, our goal is to grow geothermal market share, promote training and certification for installers, and create business opportunities for every segment of the industry.”

IGSHPA and GEO will establish a joint task force to coordinate the efforts of the organizations as related to advocacy, research and promotion of the industry; organizational committees will exchange information on technical and scientific public policy matters; and staff of both organizations will be in frequent communication about items of mutual interest.

“All affiliated geothermal-related businesses representing architects, engineers, designers, installers and suppliers must work effectively together to move the paradigm from a niche market to mainstream,” Ingersoll says. “GEO concentrates on advocacy for federal and state policies that will be beneficial to the industry, while IGSHPA concentrates on research, standards and training. We all must do our work well and in a unified manner to be successful.”

Established in 1987, IGSHPA is an association of companies, professionals and users dedicated to promoting the science, utility and use of geothermal ground-source heating and cooling technology. IGSHPA is an outreach unit of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University. For more information, visit www.igshpa.org.

GEO is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of the geothermal/ground-source heat pump industry across the U.S. GEO advocates the technology to government, industry and the public, educating leaders about the economic, national security and environmental benefits of geothermal heat pumps for residential, institutional and commercial applications.  To learn more, go to www.geoexchange.org.