February 1, 2022 Submitted by John Borger, Treasurer, Michael Reive for Light Board
Michael Reive, Chair of Hingham’s town-chartered Energy Action Committee, today announced that he has qualified as a candidate for the open seat on the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant Board. According to Campaign Treasurer John Borger, his campaign committee, Michael Reive for Light Board, was delighted with the community support for Michael’s candidacy they experienced over the last two weeks, easily gathering triple the 50 signatures required to place him on the ballot for this spring’s election.
“The three principles guiding my candidacy are Reliability, Affordability and Sustainability,” Michael said. “I know my fellow Hingham residents share my view that the Town is fortunate to have this wonderful asset, our own electric utility, owned and controlled by the citizens of Hingham. Recent storms have demonstrated how effective HMLP has been in keeping the lights on, especially compared to neighboring towns dependent on investor-owned electric utilities, some of which have seen days-long outages. We are about to have that record tested again with the coming blizzard, but I have great confidence in the HMLP team’s preparations.”
At a time of spiking inflation, with natural gas prices having doubled just in the past year, Michael points to HMLP’s stellar record in controlling price volatility. “Over the past seven years, we have seen an increase in HMLP’s retail rate of just 9.57% percent, or around 1.37% per year. I want to use my extensive experience in managing electric grid operations powered by both traditional and renewable sources to help the Light Plant continue its laudable record of reliably delivering power at affordable rates.”
As a long-standing member and current chair of the Town’s committee chartered to foster energy efficiency and sustainability in municipal operations, Michael fully embraces the Light Plant’s mission statement, adopted in 2020, which dedicates HMLP to providing “reliable electric services to the Town of Hingham while keeping rates reasonable, service quality high, and operations environmentally sustainable, including a commitment to 100% carbon free energy.” Michael notes that “the Light Plant in 2021 attained the milestone of 50% of its electricity being carbon free. I am eager to help continue that progress toward sustainability.” Hingham Net Zero, the local grass roots climate action group, quickly moved to endorse Michael’s candidacy. Michael expects to be able to announce additional endorsements in the weeks ahead.
Michael, with his wife Jennifer and their two children, has lived in Hingham for the past six years and has distinguished himself in serving the Town in sustainability-related roles. “I hope to have a chance to meet more of my Hingham neighbors at planned events in the coming weeks. Please stop by and share your thoughts with me.”