Debris clean-up continues as Nantucket considers legal action against Vineyard Wind

The Nantucket Select Board on Saturday announced its intent to discuss potential legal action against Vineyard Wind as teams from the company and hired contractors - along with island residents - continued to clear debris from the beaches Saturday morning.

The Select Board's meeting will be held in executive session on Monday. Executive session meetings are closed to the public to avoid potentially compromising the Town's position by revealing legal strategies and other details.

In the meantime, Vineyard Wind assured island residents that Jetties Beach was free of debris ahead of today's Nantucket Triathlon, at least for now.

Based on the latest modeling from the U.S. Coast Guard, Vineyard Wind disclosed Saturday that more debris may wash up on the south shore over the weekend.

"It is possible that additional debris will appear on Nantucket Saturday night or Sunday, based on modeling informed by the U.S. Coast Guard," the company disclosed in a statement on Saturday.

Vineyard Wind is monitoring its progress from a helicopter and has increased its presence on the island to over 50 people, including contractors it has hired from the Robert B. Our Company. Team members have also begun to collect debris from Tuckernuck and Muskeget. The company also has three vessels in the waters around Nantucket monitoring for debris and attempting to collect pieces when found. 

“Many of our team members have been out in the Nantucket community for the last several days, either collecting debris or connecting with affected residents. We are still working to clean the beaches and remain committed to working with the community to address this situation,” Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Skoust Møller said in a press release. “We will provide timely and useful information on recovery efforts. As we continue to make progress, we are grateful to town officials for coordinating resources and for their ongoing support as work to fully clean up Nantucket’s beaches.”

Vineyard Wind is working on a way to process financial claims, but it is not yet available.

State and federal agencies are now involved with crisis management efforts and Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper is expected to brief the Town on state efforts next week.

Despite stating the debris is non-toxic, Vineyard Wind is advising island residents that "only its employees, contractors, or those appointed by town officials should handle and recover debris materials."

If debris is found by members of the public they are advised to immediately contact Vineyard Wind's reporting hotline:

Phone: 833-609-5768

Reports of debris can also be sent directly to the cleanup contractor at this link: Recon Survey (NRCC) (arcgis.com).