Program implementation process

Implementing a municipal electricity aggregation program like Weston Power Choice is a regulated process that is overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The implementation process can take as long as a year to complete because this is how long it usually takes the DOER and the DPU to approve a Town’s implementation plan for the program. Key steps include:

Town Meeting vote: Weston must vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

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

Regulatory review: Weston submits 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.

Choosing an electricity supplier and signing an electricity supply contract: Once the State regulatory review process is complete and the aggregation plan has received formal approval by the state, Weston implements a public procurement process to select and sign a contract with an electricity supplier. During this process, program details will be finalized, including the amount of renewable energy, above the amount required by state law, the amount of renewable energy in any program options, and the price for each option.

  • Weston signed an electricity supply contract with First Point Power on February 21, 2024.

Public engagement and education: After the electricity supply contract is signed, Weston conducts an intensified public engagement effort to inform the community about program details and the ability to opt out. This effort includes mailing a letter to each electricity account holder who will be automatically enrolled in the program if they do not opt out, as well as public information sessions.

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

Program launch: At the conclusion of that effort, the program launches and electricity accounts are enrolled. Any account on Eversource’s Basic Service will be automatically enrolled into the program, unless they choose to opt out. (Automatic enrollment is the state law.) Any account that is in an electricity supply contract at the time of program launch will not be automatically enrolled, but will have the option to join the program.

  • Program launch: June 2024 meter reads.