On March 25 and March 31, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), will hold public comment hearings about a proposal by the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant (HMLP), to construct the Hingham Electrical Infrastructure Reliability Project (HEIRP).
The proposed project includes the following facilities:
- A new enclosed substation to be construction and operated by HMLP at the transfer station in Hingham;
- A 3.2-mile underground 115 kV line that will travel through Weymouth and Hingham; and
- A new tap station off Broad Street in Weymouth to be built and operated by Eversource.
The first public comment hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chapman Middle School Theater (1051 Commercial Street, Weymouth).
The second public comment hearing will be held on Monday, March 31, at 6:30 p.m.in the Sanborn Auditorium at Hingham Town Hall (210 Central Street, Hingham).
For both hearings, members of the public will be able to participate either “in person” or remotely. Remote attendees may join by clicking (or entering) this link (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81763135360) from a computer, tablet, or smart device. For audio only participation, attendees can dial in at (646) 558‑8656 (not a toll-free number) and then enter the Webinar ID: 817 6313 5360.
“We look forward to presenting our proposed plans later this month to the community, as it is critical that local concerns are considered and that the temporary construction impacts of the project on residents or area businesses are kept to a minimum.,” said Tom Morahan, HMLP General Manager.
The project will provide Hingham with a new, independent source of power and bring HMLP into compliance with regional reliability standards. Importantly, the project would ensure the reliability of electric service to Hingham homes and businesses in the event of a disruption to the parallel overhead transmission circuits that currently serve the Town.
During these public comment hearings, members of the public can learn more about the project, ask questions and provide comments on its benefits and impacts.
A copy of the EFSB’s “Notice of Adjudication and Public Comment Hearings” (“Notice”) can be accessed at the Siting Board’s webpage for the Project at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hmlp-reliability-project. The Notice is also available by going to HMLP’s Project website (www.heirp.com) and navigating to the “Regulatory Proceedings” page.
The EFSB’s Notice of Adjudication provides information regarding HMLP’s proposed project and the Preferred and Alternative routes. The Notice also includes detailed information regarding the upcoming public comment hearings.