General Manager Update, February 2026

Tom Morahan

General Manager

Hingham Lighting

As we continue to work toward ensuring a more reliable electricity supply for the Town of Hingham, many important milestones for the HMLP Reliability Project were achieved in 2025.

With all of Hingham’s electricity supply fed via two parallel transmission lines that share support towers and connect to a single substation, a single failure – whether from increasingly severe weather, equipment damage, or an incident along the active commuter rail line – could result in a town-wide power outage lasting from 8 hours to several days or longer. Based on industry standards, this current supply configuration does not meet modern reliability expectations.

The HMLP Reliability Project will address these deficiencies by adding a new underground transmission line that will be fed by a new Eversource Tap Station in Weymouth and connect to a new, second substation located at Town-owned property within the Hingham Transfer Station.

HINGHAM TOWN MEETING
APRIL 27, 2026

Vote Yes for a Reliable
Electric Supply for Hingham

Residents will vote whether to allow HMLP to secure up to $70 million in long-term bonds for the HMLP Reliability Project.

KNOW BEFORE YOU VOTE:

  • Utility projects have no effect on the Town’s ability to borrow for any other capital project now or down the road.
  • No taxpayer funding required. All project costs will be paid through electric rates over 20-40 years.
  • No significant rate increases are expected due to this project. HMLP plans to utilize existing reserve funds and revenue from rate increases implemented over the past several years.

For further project details, browse our website (HEIRP.com).

Since 2020, HMLP has held or participated in over 40 outreach meetings or events regarding the proposed HMLP Reliability Project. The project is currently under review by the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), a state agency which reviews proposals to construct large energy projects, including transmission lines. Hingham Town Meeting is scheduled to vote in April on a long-term bonding component of the overall funding package to move the project forward. Once the project has been approved by the EFSB and the bonding has been approved, HMLP will seek final permitting approvals and orders of conditions from the Hingham and Weymouth Conservation Commissions. HMLP hopes to have all permitting approvals and funding secured in 2026 and anticipates the start of construction in 2027.

2025 Project Milestones

March 25 – EFSB public hearing in Weymouth with presentations by HMLP and Eversource, Q&A, and public comments.


March 31 – EFSB Project Site Tour


March 31 – EFSB public hearing in Hingham with presentations by HMLP and Eversource, Q&A, and public comments.


March 11 – April 14 – EFSB accepts public comments


Summer/Fall – HMLP and Eversource respond to over 100 requests for information from EFSB Staff and intervenors on all elements of the proposed project.


September 29-30 – EFSB Evidentiary Hearings with HMLP, Eversource, and local intervenors


November 14 – HMLP and Eversource file Initial Briefs with EFSB


Fall/Winter – Numerous/ongoing meetings with Weymouth officials


December 2 – Project update presentation to Hingham Select Board


December 2 – Project update presentation to Hingham Advisory Committee

Looking Ahead in 2026

April 27 – Town Meeting Vote
Vote whether to approve project financing. No taxpayer money will be used and no rate increases are anticipated related to this project.


Summer – EFSB Decision
Based on an extensive, 18-month review of all project details including, but not limited to, need analysis, alternative solutions, site and route analysis, cost effectiveness, reliability, and environmental and construction impacts (i.e., impacts to land use, water resources, noise, visuals, traffic, and EMF).


Fall – Final Permits
Once the EFSB project and zoning approvals have been granted, final permits from the Weymouth and Hingham Conservation Commissions are anticipated.


Winter – Construction Bidding
Once all permits, approvals and orders of conditions have been secured, HMLP will initiate a public bidding process to select the project construction team.

Learn More About HEIRP

Browse the other pages of the project website to find details on all phases of this critically important project.

For questions or concerns, please contact P.J. O’Sullivan at 617-750-1628 or pjosullivan@rasky.com.