Broken Blade From Wind Farm Closes Beach
There's been quite an uproar in Nantucket recently, and it's all because of a windmill blade. Barstool Sports President and CEO Dave Portnoy is voicing his frustrations after an offshore windmill blade snapped, sending nonbiodegradable fiberglass shards into the ocean. These shards washed up on the shores of Nantucket, prompting the town to temporarily close its beaches.
On Tuesday, the Nantucket harbormaster announced the closure of six beaches due to the sharp fiberglass debris. Vineyard Wind, the company behind the turbines, confirmed that a blade from one of their turbines had snapped and that power production was halted immediately. However, photos obtained by Fox News Digital suggest the damage was more severe than initially reported.
Portnoy, a homeowner in Nantucket, expressed his concerns to Fox News Digital. He suggested a "one-strike you're out policy" for Vineyard Wind, advocating that they should no longer be allowed to operate these windmills. Portnoy emphasized that while everyone wants a healthy planet, those advocating for green energy need to ensure they aren't causing environmental harm in the process.
He also proposed that Vineyard Wind should refund anyone who rented a house on Nantucket during the beach closures. "Families save up for years to take a vacation to Nantucket only to have it ruined by negligence," he said, highlighting the impact on both vacationers and local sea life.
The incident has sparked broader concerns about the reliability and safety of offshore wind turbines. Jerry Leeman, CEO of the New England Fishermen's Stewardship Association (NEFSA), pointed out the potential for future incidents. He questioned what might happen during harsher weather conditions, like a winter storm or hurricane, if a blade could snap on a calm summer day.
Leeman also raised environmental concerns, noting that the nonbiodegradable fiberglass poses a significant threat to marine life, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises. These animals could be harmed by ingesting the fiberglass particles, which could enter the food web if mistaken for food by smaller organisms like zooplankton.
In response to the incident, Vineyard Wind stated that they deployed vessels to recover the large blade pieces and are working on cleaning up the debris from Nantucket beaches. The cause of the blade's breakage is still under investigation by GE, the turbine's manufacturer.
The incident comes amid a broader debate about the rapid push for offshore wind energy, which has been a significant focus of the Biden administration's green energy goals. Critics argue that the rush to approve these projects may overlook potential environmental and safety concerns. Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action, testified before a House Committee last year, emphasizing the need for thorough scientific and regulatory reviews of offshore wind projects.
Zipf noted that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has identified potential negative impacts of offshore wind on marine life, such as increased ocean noise and electromagnetic fields that could disrupt navigation and communication for whales. She stressed that while climate change is a real and pressing issue, offshore wind projects should only proceed after successful pilot-scale projects and robust scientific support.
The New England Fishermen's Stewardship Association has also voiced opposition to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) plans to lease a large area of the ocean in Maine for wind development. They argue that the administration is rushing to establish a green energy plan without sufficient consideration of the impacts on fishing communities and marine habitats.
BOEM has responded by stating that they will take a phased leasing approach and engage with local fishing communities to minimize impacts. They emphasize that the finalized wind energy area avoids several important fishing grounds and habitats.