Renewable Energy Content Detail

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that all electricity supply products include a minimum of 59% from renewable energy resources in 2023, 62% in 2024, 63% in 2025, and 69% in 2026. Walpole Power Choice Standard meets this minimum requirement. Walpole Power Choice Green exceeds this requirement.

Added voluntarily by Walpole Required by the State of Massachusetts Total
MA Class I RECs National Wind RECs MA Class I RECs Additional renewable/clean sources
Power Choice Standard
2023 – – 22% 37% 59%
2024 – – 24% 38% 62%
2025 – – 27% 36% 63%
2026 – – 30% 39% 69%
Power Choice Green
2023 20% 21% 22% 37% 100%
2024 20% 18% 24% 38% 100%
2025 20% 17% 27% 36% 100%
2026 20% 11% 30% 39% 100%
Eversource’s Basic Service
2023 – – 22% 37% 59%
2024 – – 24% 38% 62%
2025 – – 27% 36% 63%
2026 – – 30% 39% 69%

 

What are MA Class I RECs?

MA Class I RECs are renewable energy certificates (RECs) from renewable energy projects that began commercial operation after 1997, generate electricity using any of the following technologies, and meet all other program eligibility criteria:

  • Solar photovoltaic
  • Solar thermal electric
  • Wind energy
  • Small hydropower
  • Landfill methane and anaerobic digester gas
  • Marine or hydrokinetic energy
  • Geothermal energy
  • Eligible biomass fuel

Purchasing MA Class I RECs helps to create demand for more renewable energy on the New England grid. By purchasing more MA Class I RECs than is required by state law, you can help to drive the development of new renewable energy projects in our region.

What is required by Massachusetts state law?

Massachusetts state law requires all electricity suppliers include a minimum amount of electricity from renewable and clean sources, and that minimum amount increases every year. The law includes a requirement to purchase electricity from both MA Class I-eligible sources and also additional renewable / clean sources.

What are the additional renewable / clean sources referred to in the table?

The phrase “additional renewable / clean sources” refers to the renewable energy required by state law other than MA Class I RECs. Some of these sources are renewable, but not emission free, such as waste-to-energy, which is electricity generated from burning solid waste, and some of those sources are clean but not classed as renewable, such as nuclear.