State Will Test Vineyard Wind Turbine Debris For Environmental Health Risks

Vineyard Wind and General Electric representatives who addressed town officials on Wednesday were unable to answer a basic question about the turbine blade debris washing up on Nantucket this week: does it contain harmful chemicals? 

Island residents specifically inquired about the presence of BPA and PFAS in the fiberglass and styrofoam strewn across Nantucket's south shore beaches. Vineyard Wind and GE's answer? We'll get back to you on that. 

As it turns out, Nantucket might get answers to that question from a different source. 

According to Nantucket's state representative, Dylan Fernandes, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection intends to conduct its own testing on the Vineyard Wind turbine blade debris. 

"I have spoken with the EEA Secretary who has marshaled state resources through the DEP to test the material for any potential public and environmental health impacts," Fernandes said. “The collapse of General Electric’s turbine blade into the waters off Nantucket is deeply concerning and should never have happened. GE needs to give a full report of exactly what went wrong. The project should be suspended until we get answers and assurances that this will never occur again."

The project has indeed been suspended by the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement "until it can be determined whether the blade failure affects any other VW turbines." 

Both Fernandes and state senator Julian Cyr had not issued any public statements or posted about the Vineyard Wind "crisis" until the Current reached out on Thursday. Fernandes and Cyr both supplied written statements within minutes. 

“The Vineyard Wind turbine blade malfunction and the communication surrounding its aftermath are alarming," Cyr said. "Given the turbines are located in federal waters, they are not under state jurisdiction. However, I am deeply concerned by the events of the past week. I have been in communication with our Congressional delegation and relevant federal agencies to understand the cause of the malfunction and the following response protocols. In the coming days, I expect relevant federal authorities and Vineyard Wind to provide answers for the Town of Nantucket and its residents. My staff and I have been in regular contact with Nantucket town officials, with a focus on the safety of residents and visitors, any environmental health considerations, and access to the beaches. Vineyard Wind must be responsible for promptly and thoroughly removing all debris from the shoreline and surrounding areas, as well as the remuneration of any costs incurred by the town."