Vineyard Wind: A Hurricane Disaster Will Happen

To the editor: Last summer I attended a symposium at the Rogers Memorial Library intended to promote offshore wind turbines. In-person, I asked a representative from Vineyard Wind, as well as a representative from two other offshore wind promoters, to what category of hurricane their turbines are rated. To my astonishment, the answer from each was 3 (out of 5). Imagine how thoroughly a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane would destroy those turbine blades that don’t fold, blowing into the ocean tons of non-biodegradable fiberglass, forever chemicals (PVC), and gallons of lubricating oil.

Consider as well that the useful life of a turbine is approximately 20 years. Can we count on the promoters to dismantle and remove all of the turbines or will there be hundreds of dead and rusting hulks as has already occurred in Hawaii?

Why this easily predictable and inevitable environmental vandalism is acceptable is incomprehensible.

I urge our elected representatives to remember that their duty more important than fighting climate change is to provide to their constituents affordable and reliable electricity. Alternative energy is neither.

RG Arnold