Newton is poised to become the first municipality in the state to buy all of its electricity from renewable sources, Mayor Setti Warren announced Tuesday.
Starting on July 1, city buildings, schools, and streetlights will all be illuminated by electricity generated by such sources as wind and solar power.
The city expects to spend $100,000 less annually over the next three years by buying this type of power, said Maureen Lemieux, Newton’s chief financial officer.
Newton currently spends about $1.5 million buying electricity from a power generator. Under deregulation, the city pays a separate company to distribute the electricity.
Reliant Northeast Power LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy Inc., will provide the electricity from renewable sources.
Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray praised Newton and said he hopes other municipalities follow the city’s lead.
“This is something we’re going to hold up as best practices,” Murray said.
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