Why is Weston Power Choice no longer providing options for buying more electricity from renewable sources?
In the past: Weston Power Choice previously supported renewable energy by purchasing more electricity from renewable sources than is required by Massachusetts state law for two program options, Power Choice Standard and Power Choice Plus. The goal of purchasing the extra renewable energy was to build demand for more renewable energy and drive the development of new renewable energy projects to meet it.
Now: The federal government has substantially slowed the addition of new renewable energy projects by sunsetting tax credits, ending funding programs, slowing new permits, and seeking to revoke existing permits. It has become very difficult to build new renewable energy projects. As a result, for now, buying more renewable energy than is required by law will not result in the development of new renewable energy projects.
The new Weston Power Choice structure: For that reason, beginning in December 2026, Weston Power Choice will no longer purchase additional electricity from renewable sources. Accordingly, the program structure has changed from three options to a single option, which includes only the minimum from renewable sources that is required by state law. To put it simply, Weston Power Choice no longer includes the purchase of additional electricity from renewable sources above the state requirement because, at this time, the extra cost associated with buying additional electricity from renewable sources does not facilitate the development of new renewable energy projects.
The Town of Weston remains committed to supporting renewable energy. We anticipate adding renewable energy back into Weston Power Choice in the future, as the renewable energy landscape continues to evolve.