The following is an official press release from the Town of Weston. While I have lots of positivity (hahah, electricity joke) about this, I don’t have my usual time for commentary since I am leaving soon to freeze my boots off in New York for soccer weekend. Yes, it is a no-homework weekend so prepare for Owl-less-ness for a bit.

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WESTON, MA – The Town of Weston is pleased to announce the launch of Weston Power Choice, a type of group electricity buying program from the Town that gives residents and businesses more choice and control over the electricity they buy. Weston joins over 170 other Massachusetts communities with this type of electricity program (called an “aggregation”), including Natick, Newton, and Lincoln. 

Through Weston Power Choice and the collective buying power of the community, Weston electricity customers will receive more of their electricity from renewable sources for a price below Eversource’s current residential Basic Service price, though future savings compared with Eversource cannot be guaranteed. Weston received state regulatory approval for the program in December 2023, and the program will launch in June. 

Weston Power Choice participants will only see a change in the name of the supplier and the supply price on their electric bill. Eversource remains Weston’s electric utility and will continue to deliver electricity in Weston, address power outages, and send electric bills. 

 The program has three options. New participants will be automatically enrolled in the Power Choice Standard option and will receive an additional 20% of their electricity from renewable sources for 12.849 ¢/kWh, a savings of more than 4 ¢/kWh compared to Eversource’s current residential price of 17.216 ¢/kWh. Participants can choose two additional options: Power Choice Plus provides electricity that is 100% from renewable sources for 14.969 ¢/kWh, and Power Choice Basic provides the minimum renewable electricity required by state law for 12.049 ¢/kWh.

The Town has signed a 30-month contract with First Point Power that will keep Weston Power Choice prices fixed and stable until December 2026. In comparison, Eversource’s Basic Service prices change every 6 months or less, and their future prices are not known.

For most Weston electricity customers, no action is required to participate. In accordance with state law, Eversource’s Basic Service customers are eligible for automatic enrollment when the program launches in June and will first see a Weston Power Choice price on their bill in July. The Town will mail automatic enrollment notifications with program details in late March.

Participation in Weston Power Choice is not required. Weston electricity customers have the right to opt out of the program before being automatically enrolled, or they can try the program and opt out at any time with no penalty or fee. Those who opt out will remain with Eversource’s Basic Service pricing. Information about how to opt out will be included in the automatic enrollment notification and on the program website.

Electricity customers who have signed private electricity supply contracts will not be enrolled automatically, but they can request enrollment online at WestonPowerChoice.com or over the phone by calling the Town’s program consultants at 1-833-703-0532. Those with private contracts are encouraged to first check the terms of their electricity supply agreement before making a change to avoid penalties like early termination fees.

Anyone eligible for a low-income discount from Eversource will continue to receive that discount. In addition, anyone receiving solar credits or incentive payments will continue to receive them with no change to how the credits or payments are calculated.

The public is invited to two public information sessions to learn more about the program: 

• Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM (virtual): Please see the Calendar on the Town of Weston website for participation information.
• Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM (in person): Weston Council on Aging, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston, MA  01493.

More information about the program is available at WestonPowerChoice.com or by calling customer support with Weston’s program consultants at 1-833-703-0532. If you require an ASL interpreter, one can be requested via the customer support form on WestonPowerChoice.com or by emailing support@WestonPowerChoice.com. Please note that an information session with interpretation services may need to be scheduled on a different date from the general public information sessions.