CAPE MAY COUNTY OFFICIAL CITES NANTUCKET WIND TURBINE INCIDENT AS ENVIRONMENTAL WARNING

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. — Cape May County Commission Director Len Desiderio has called a July 2024 wind turbine failure at the Vineyard Wind facility off Nantucket, Massachusetts, “an environmental catastrophe akin to an oil spill,” renewing warnings about offshore wind projects amid ongoing regional opposition.
The incident, which unfolded as Nantucket residents discovered debris washing up on beaches beginning July 16, involved a shattered turbine blade that released large and small fiberglass pieces along the island’s southern shoreline. In response, federal authorities temporarily suspended operations at the wind facility. Desiderio underscored the event as vindication for opponents of offshore wind, saying, “We were right to oppose offshore wind.” He emphasized that Cape May County’s resistance to wind development helped prevent similar scenarios closer to home, stating, “As we have seen in Nantucket over the past few weeks, these industrial electricity-generating facilities represent an unacceptable threat to our environment and, consequently, to our local economy. In Nantucket, the disintegration of a single turbine blade has led to tens of thousands of pounds of fiberglass, foam, industrial adhesive and other contaminants in the water and washing up on local beaches, which have had to be closed. We cannot allow that to happen to Cape May County”.
The affected turbine was manufactured by GE Vernova, which has since agreed to a $10.5 million settlement that will compensate local businesses for economic losses suffered as a result of the incident. While GE Vernova stated the failure was due to a manufacturing defect—not a design flaw—Massachusetts officials confirmed the funds would be distributed through a claims process for businesses impacted by beach closures and cleanup.
The incident became a pivotal reference in Cape May County’s ultimately successful legal fight against the Orsted Ocean Wind projects off New Jersey, adding weight to warnings about potential economic and environmental impacts from offshore wind development. Litigation and regulatory challenges led to the formal termination of the Orsted projects in August 2024, a result county officials attribute in part to public concern over incidents like the Nantucket turbine failure.