Nantucket County, MA

07/20/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/20/2024 08:37

July 20, 9:45 AM Update Regarding the Vineyard Wind Turbine Blade Crisis

In response to the ongoing Vineyard Wind Turbine Blade Crisis, we are providing the latest and most critical updates as of this morning, July 20.

Debris Collection
This morning, Vineyard Wind crews have conducted multiple sweeps of the Jetties Beach area and confirmed that no debris was found ahead of today's triathlon, which is currently underway. Crews collected debris from Tuckernuck and Muskeget beaches yesterday.

Aerial Debris Tracking
Vineyard Wind has deployed a helicopter to track debris near the south side of the island. Based on data from the helicopter, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is potential risk of additional debris on the south side beaches later this weekend. We will provide an update on this as we receive more information.

REMINDER TO THE PUBLIC

  • DO NOT put any debris in your home garbage.
  • DO NOT bring the debris to the landfill.
  • DO notify the proper authorities immediately if you have debris so they can remove it for analysis and proper disposal.

Only trained employees or contractors are responsible for collecting and removing the debris. To report any remaining debris, please contact:

  • Phone: 833-609-5768
  • Reports of debris can also be sent to the cleanup contractor here.

Select Board Executive Session
The Select Board and County Commissioners will hold an executive session on Tuesday, July 23 at 12 PM to discuss the Town's strategy related to recovery costs associated with the blade failure. All executive sessions are closed to the public as an open meeting law may have detrimental effect on the Town's position.

State and Federal Agencies
The Town has been contacted by Senator Julian Cyr and the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Rebecca Tepper, with offers of assistance. The EEA has held daily meetings with Vineyard Wind and has convened a group of state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, to monitor the ongoing situation with the turbine blade failure and its impacts on Nantucket. The EEA has also been in close contact with relevant federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Next week, Secretary Tepper will provide the Town with a summary of her office's efforts to date.

Economic Damages
Vineyard Wind is working on setting up a process for financial claims. We will share this information as soon as it is available to us.

The impacts of this event will continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks. Town Administration and the Select Board are committed to providing daily morning briefings to the Nantucket public regarding this matter. Vineyard Wind is fully responsible for the repercussions on Nantucket, and Town Administration and the Select Board will ensure they are held accountable.