BOSTON, MA – July 17, 2024 – Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, today announced that it continues to progress in its debris clean-up and recovery efforts on Nantucket, and reaffirms its commitment to the prompt and full clean-up of debris on Nantucket following blade damage that took place on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Vineyard Wind remains in close communication with Nantucket officials and continues to prioritize the safety of the island’s residents and visitors.
As of Wednesday morning, Vineyard Wind and its crews, in coordinating with Nantucket officials including the Nantucket Police Department, the Nantucket Land Bank, and the Nantucket Harbormaster, have removed approximately 17 cubic yards of debris, enough to fill more than six truckloads, and several larger pieces that washed ashore. Cleanup efforts will continue Wednesday and throughout the week as necessary until all debris is removed. On Wednesday, Vineyard Wind will increase its beach patrols on island to 35 employees and contractors.
Vineyard Wind is making progress at reducing debris and is observing less material washing ashore, and the Nantucket Police Chief has reopened the beaches to swimming. Vineyard Wind will continue to monitor the following beaches:
“We’re grateful to the Town of Nantucket, the Nantucket Police Department, the Nantucket Land Bank, the Nantucket Harbormaster, and the entire island community as we work to clean up Nantucket’s beaches as quickly as possible,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller. “We’re making progress in the debris recovery efforts and mobilizing even more resources on the island to hasten the cleanup as quickly as possible. We continue to ask that members of the public avoid handling any of the debris, but report any debris sightings to Vineyard Wind or town officials for recovery. The public can have confidence that we will be here as long as it takes to get the job done and make sure the beaches are cleaned up.”
Additional updates from the ongoing cleanup efforts include:
Deployment of Teams: Vineyard Wind has contracted Robert B. Our, a local construction firm, and National Resource Corporation, an emergency response contractor, to lead cleanup operations.
Community Outreach: A team of Vineyard Wind employees is onsite to assist with cleanup and to maintain prompt communication with officials and community leaders.
Public Update: Vineyard Wind will provide an update in person at a meeting of the Town Select Board on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 5:30PM.
Safety Precautions: Vineyard Wind advises that only its employees, contractors, or those appointed by town officials should handle and recover debris materials. Members of the public should avoid handling debris. Anyone handling debris should wear gloves, and Vineyard Wind is working to bag, track, and transport all debris off the island and to proper storage as soon as possible.
Environmental Protection: Vineyard Wind is mobilizing shorebird monitors arriving today to conduct visual monitoring for state listed and protected avian species. Shorebired monitors will escort any vehicle supporting debris removal in the vicinity of state listed or protected species nests.
Reporting: If debris is found by members of the public, property owners, or town officials, they are advised to immediately contact our reporting hotline:
Vineyard Wind will continue to coordinate closely with town officials on the complete clean up of Nantucket’s southern-facing beaches.
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