Property owners who install geothermal heat pumps for their homes or businesses can get a cash rebate from the City of Petersburg. The technology uses buried or sunken pipes to draw warmth from underground, where the temperature remains more constant. The system then concentrates that warmth to heat the home or business. According to the city, such systems can recoup their higher installation costs in two to ten years with an annual energy savings of 30 to 60 percent. The City’s rebate depends on the type of building, but a typical home system might qualify for around three thousand dollars back. The rebate is aimed at reducing the load on Petersburg’s limited hydroelectric capacity. There haven’t yet been any takers, but the program just got underway late last year. Matt Lichtenstein recently spoke with Power and Light Superintendent Joe Nelson to find out more.