Debris Clean-Up Continues As Nantucket Considers Legal Action Against Vineyard Wind

The Nantucket Select Board on Saturday announced its intention to discuss potential legal action against Vineyard Wind as teams from the company and hired contractors - along with island residents - continued to clear debris resulting from its damaged turbine blade from south shore beaches and the waters around the island.

The Select Board's meeting will be held in executive session on Tuesday. Executive session meetings are closed to the public to avoid potentially compromising the Town's position by revealing legal strategies and other details.

Even as the potential for litigation comes into focus, the work on the ground and in the waters around Nantucket - recovering thousands of pieces of fiberglass and styrofoam - proceeded over the weekend, with debris found all over the island and as far away as Monomoy Island and the outer Cape.

On Sunday, Nantucket Harbormaster Sheila Lucey issued a warning about a large piece of Vineyard Wind turbine debris located near Madaquecham Beach.

“It will cause a hazard to mariners and beach patrons," Lucey said. "All mariners and swimmers please take warning and avoid this area.”

Following that report, Vineyard Wind stated that its beach crews were dispatched to the area along with a helicopter to observe the area from above.

Additional debris has been found by island fishermen northeast of Nantucket, approximately 50 miles from the Vineyard Wind lease area. Jon Lake and Elliot Sudal were in a boat east of Great Point when they picked up pieces of the damaged turbine blade on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Chatham Harbormaster reported debris from the damaged GE Vernova wind turbine blade that was located 3.5 miles southeast of Monomoy Island. Vineyard Ward stated that nine vessels were immediately dispatched to the area, and the debris was recovered at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Vineyard Wind announced Saturday that it had increased its presence on the island to over 50 people, including contractors it has hired from the Robert B. Our Company. Team members have also begun to collect debris from Tuckernuck and Muskeget, the company said, although some Tuckernuck property owners disputed that and said that process has not yet begun. The company also has three vessels in the waters around Nantucket monitoring for debris and attempting to collect pieces when found. 

Vineyard Wind communications director Craig Gilvarg stated "significant" progress had been made in the recovery effort.

“Many of our team members have been out in the Nantucket community for the last several days, either collecting debris or connecting with affected residents. We are still working to clean the beaches and remain committed to working with the community to address this situation,” Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Skoust Møller said in a press release. “We will provide timely and useful information on recovery efforts. As we continue to make progress, we are grateful to town officials for coordinating resources and for their ongoing support as work to fully clean up Nantucket’s beaches.”

Vineyard Wind is working on a way to process financial claims, but it is not yet available.

State and federal agencies are now involved with crisis management efforts and Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper is expected to brief the Town on state efforts next week.

Despite stating the debris is non-toxic, Vineyard Wind is advising island residents that "only its employees, contractors, or those appointed by town officials should handle and recover debris materials."

If debris is found by members of the public they are advised to immediately contact Vineyard Wind's reporting hotline:

Phone: 833-609-5768

Reports of debris can also be sent directly to the cleanup contractor at this link: Recon Survey (NRCC) (arcgis.com).