April 1, 2026 Submitted by Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant
The Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant (HMLP) invites all residents to join a Virtual Open House on April 8, 2026, to learn about the critical HMLP Reliability Project ahead of the upcoming Hingham Town Meeting. This event will feature a detailed presentation on the project’s scope, details, and timeline, followed by a live question-and-answer session.
Virtual Open House Details:
• Date: April 8, 2026
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87901183991
• Meeting ID: 879 0118 3991
• Passcode: 123555
Since 1893, HMLP has proudly provided Hingham with reliable electric service. However, the town’s current electric supply infrastructure faces significant risks and fails to meet industry standards for reliability. Due to its dependence on just two parallel transmission lines that share support towers and connect to a single substation, the current configuration leaves the town vulnerable to extended outages caused by severe weather, equipment damage, or incidents along the commuter rail line.
The HMLP Reliability Project proposes to strengthen Hingham’s electric grid by constructing:
• A new tap station in Weymouth to be owned and operated by Eversource;
• A new underground 115 kV transmission line from Weymouth to Hingham; and
• A new second substation at the Hingham Transfer Station.
Together, these improvements will create a more resilient and modern electric system, capable of meeting today’s reliability standards and protecting the community from prolonged power outages.
Since 2020, HMLP has engaged the community through over 40 meetings and events to discuss the project. In April 2022, Hingham residents launched this critical project with Town Meeting approval to authorize the Select Board to transfer control and custody of land at the Hingham Transfer Station to HMLP for the new Substation. The proposed project is currently under an extensive 18-24 month review by the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), focusing intently on all aspects of the project including, a need analysis, consideration of alternative solutions, site and route analysis, cost efficiency, environmental impacts, future reliability, and public comments. The upcoming Town Meeting vote on April 27, will consider approval of the bonding request necessary to advance the project.
Following EFSB approval and Town Meeting authorization, HMLP will seek final permits from the Hingham and Weymouth Conservation Commissions, aiming to secure all approvals and funding in 2026 with construction planned for 2027.
Residents can read more about the project, review the project’s timeline, and access the project filings at www.heirp.com.