Nantucket has reached a $10.5 million settlement to compensate local businesses and residents for economic harm following a wind turbine blade incident. A blade from the Vineyard Wind 1 project broke off on July 13, 2024, causing debris to close Nantucket's beaches temporarily. Vineyard Wind was later allowed to continue work after debris removal, which was traced back to a manufacturing defect. Officials emphasized the balance of benefits and risks of offshore wind energy to coastal communities. A Community Claims Fund will be established from the settlement funds for compensation purposes.
The settlement creates a Community Claims Fund to compensate local businesses and residents for 'economic harm.' The Town and County of Nantucket announced the settlement agreement, funds from which will go towards compensating the town and local businesses for losses from the incident.
'Offshore wind may bring benefits, but it also carries risks - to ocean health, to historic landscapes, and to the economies of coastal communities like Nantucket, known worldwide as an environmental and cultural treasure,' Brooke Mohr stated.
The blade from Vineyard Wind 1 safely broke off July 13, 2024, closing Nantucket's south-facing beaches, which reopened shortly after, but Vineyard Wind was ordered to temporarily cease operations.
GE Vernova indicated a 'manufacturing deviation' as the cause of the damaged blade, specifically 'insufficient bonding' that the quality assurance program should have identified.
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