July 22, 2024 - Vineyard Wind Turbine Blade Crisis Update

Environmental Assessment
General Electric (GE) has engaged the design and engineering firm Arcadis to conduct an environmental assessment. The assessment, currently under internal review by GE, is expected to be available for external review shortly and to be presented at the Select Board meeting this Wednesday, July 24.

Debris Collection
On Sunday, reports indicated new debris washing ashore at various south shore side beaches. Vineyard Wind and GE crews were dispatched to the reported areas and found mainly small pieces of foam debris. More debris was collected early this morning.

A larger piece of debris was reported near Madequecham Beach yesterday. This piece is no longer visible from shore. A helicopter overflight will occur this morning to locate the debris, which appears to have drifted south and west. Vineyard Wind and GE are collaborating with the Nantucket Harbormaster to retrieve it from the water this morning.

Debris is being observed offshore, well south of the island near the Vineyard Wind development area and closer to shore. Vessels are actively removing debris from the water. The observed floating debris consists of foam and fiberglass pieces of varying sizes, with most being smaller, though some are larger.

Weather Conditions
Today's wind is forecasted to come from the southwest at approximately 10-12 knots. Vineyard Wind received a new U.S. Coast Guard model this morning indicating debris would move more to the west today. Consequently, Tuckernuck and Muskeget Islands will be monitored from the air and ground, and shorebird monitors have been dispatched to Muskeget. Vineyard Wind is monitoring changes in wind conditions that could impact debris movement.

The Blade
Approximately 25% of the blade remains upright at the 12 o'clock position. About 50% of the blade is still hanging down, and its composition is mostly fiberglass. The part of the blade that descended into the ocean last Thursday morning has been located but not yet retrieved.

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 may have detrimental effect on the Town's position.

Regular Meeting: Representatives from GE and Vineyard Wind will be present at this Wednesday's meeting, July 24, at 5:30 PM at the Public Safety Facility Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road. The public can attend in person or watch the meeting online. For more information on this meeting, visit www.nantucket-ma.gov/selectboard

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.

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.