Weston School Working Group Backs Geothermal as Best Long-Term Mechanical Option

WESTON — May 29, 2025 — Weston's school feasibility working group heard a recommendation for a $58 million geothermal heating and cooling system for its high school and middle school campus. Mechanical engineers Jess Farber and Josephine Wendroth of CMTA presented five system options at the May 29 meeting, telling the group that Option A — a distributed geothermal water source heat pump system — offers the best long-term value despite the highest first cost, becoming cheaper than air source alternatives by year 14 when lifecycle costs are considered. A MassSave incentive estimated at roughly $6 million and a federal clean energy tax credit could accelerate payback to year three, though Farber warned the group not to rely on the federal IRA credit given congressional uncertainty: "Don't hang your hat on this." An unexpected finding was that the town currently pays 48 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity — roughly twice the engineers' baseline assumption — because Weston purchases green energy through a regional agreement. The final feasibility report is due June 18, with a joint presentation to the Finance Committee, Select Board, School Committee, and Permanent Building Committee planned for September.