Program implementation process

Municipal electricity aggregation was enabled by the Massachusetts Restructuring Act of 1997 (Chapter 164, Section 134) and is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).

The implementation process includes a regulatory review and approval process that typically requires several months. The list below includes key milestones in the program implementation process.

1. Public vote

Weston had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

  • The Town Meeting vote occurred on December 3, 2019.

2. Regulatory review and approval

Weston submitted an Aggregation Plan document to the Massachusetts DOER for review and then to the Massachusetts DPU for approval. This document is a broad template that demonstrates how Weston will meet regulatory requirements. This process typically takes many months.

  • Weston’s plan was reviewed by the Massachusetts DOER on August 13, 2020.
  • Weston’s plan was submitted to the Massachusetts DPU on October 29, 2020. The DPU held a hearing to accept public comments on the plan on February 24, 2021.
  • Weston’s plan received approval from the Massachusetts DPU on December 27, 2023.

3. Signing an electricity supply contract

Once the regulatory review process was complete and Weston’s Aggregation Plan received approval from the DPU, Weston implemented a public procurement process to select and sign a contract with an electricity supplier.

  • Weston signed its first electricity supply contract for Weston Power Choice in February 2024.

4. Public notification and education

After the electricity supply contract was signed, Weston conducted a public education effort to inform the community about program details like price and renewable energy. This effort included public information sessions. In addition, a formal notification letter was sent from the Town to each electricity account holder who was eligible for automatic enrollment in the program. The letter included information about program options and prices and how to opt out if you do not want to participate.

  • Coming-soon postcard mailing date: March 22, 2024.
  • Opt-Out Notice mailing date: March 29, 2024.

5. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Weston Power Choice launched.

  • The program launched with June 2024 meter reads.