Battery storage land in Tewksbury, Massachusetts

What the Hillman Street record tells an owner

The state project record describes a proposed 125 MW standalone battery facility at 73–75 Hillman Street, with a transmission connection extending beyond the equipment site. It is a transmission-scale example, not a size requirement for other Tewksbury properties.

In its September 1, 2026 filing, Hillman Energy Center said grid upgrade costs from the ISO New England cluster study greatly exceeded earlier estimates, making the project economically unviable. The company reported withdrawing from the interconnection queue and asked the Siting Board to close its certificate proceeding.

The filing also records earlier zoning exemptions subject to conditions. Those exemptions did not settle the connection economics. The withdrawal motion is the company’s account and request; it should not be read as a final Board order or a decision about another parcel.

Reference: Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board: Tewksbury battery project record · Hillman Energy Center: September 1, 2026 motion to withdraw, EFSB 26-02

Ask how firm the connection estimate is

When a company approaches you, ask which connection study supports its offer. Find out whether the price is an early estimate or reflects identified work on the grid. Ask what could still change before a connection agreement is signed.

Request a plain explanation of the work included: the connection itself, changes to a substation, other grid upgrades and any rights needed across neighboring land. Ask who pays each cost and whether the project depends on costs being shared with other proposals.

A nearby power line does not answer these questions. Have the team explain the proposed connection point and the remaining steps for this design. A smaller distribution-connected proposal may follow a different process from the Hillman project.

You do not need to assess an engineering study yourself. Ask the company to explain the unresolved items and how it will tell you when an important result changes. Keep that explanation with the proposal and land agreement.

Put option extensions and payments in writing

An option may reserve your property while the company studies a project. Ask how long the first term lasts, what the company pays during it and what allows an extension. Compare the full possible term with your plans to sell, lease or use the land.

Ask whether an extension is automatic, requires notice or requires your consent. Identify the payment and deadline for each extension. Discuss what happens if the company misses a deadline or decides the connection is too expensive.

If the company asks for more time after a study result, request the reason, the next milestone and the proposed payment in writing. Your adviser can compare the request with the existing agreement before you accept a change.

Explain the uses you need to continue during the option. Ask which visits or studies are allowed, what notice you receive and who repairs any damage. Reserving a future equipment area should not leave the present use of the property unclear.

Map rights outside the battery fence

Ask for one drawing showing the equipment area, connection route, entrances and temporary work areas. The Hillman record is a reminder that a connection can extend beyond the battery site. The map for your proposal should show every area the company expects to use.

Separate rights on your property from rights the company must obtain elsewhere. Ask whether the project can proceed without those other rights and what happens to your option while they are being negotiated.

Show the driveway, tenant area, drainage route or future building site you need to retain. Ask whether a cable route or access easement would limit those uses. Have your adviser compare the drawing with the actual legal description.

Clarify which rights start during study work and which start only if the project moves forward. Keep revised drawings with signed amendments so the area shown to you matches the rights being granted.

Reference: Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board: Tewksbury battery project record

Know how the land is released if the project stops

A queue withdrawal does not by itself explain the status of a private option, lease or easement. Ask the company to identify which agreements remain in effect and what notice or documents are required to end them.

Have your adviser check the termination provisions, any recorded notice and any separate access rights. Request the appropriate written release or other documents for the actual agreement. Do not rely only on a conversation saying the project is over.

If the company carried out studies on the property, ask what remains to be removed or repaired. Address markers, test equipment, disturbed ground and any unpaid obligations that apply. Ask when the company will finish that work and whom to contact.

If another company proposes to take over, review that proposal separately. Find out who would be responsible, which terms would change and whether it has a workable connection plan. A new company name does not resolve the original uncertainty.

Tell us about your property and your plans

Start with your contact details and the property location. Mention the current use and whether you would consider a lease, a sale or only part of the land. Parcel numbers and acreage are useful when available, but optional for an initial inquiry.

If there is an existing battery proposal, tell us about any option, lease or access agreement. Mention a connection study or withdrawal notice if you have one. You do not need to prepare a project application to ask about your property.

An inquiry starts a discussion. It does not establish connection capacity, authorize work or commit you to a deal. Further review needs to address land rights, design, approvals and whether the project can proceed on workable terms.