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Nantucket, Vineyard Wind agree to new transparency and emergency response measures
Credit: WCVB · Dec 11, 2025 · Tim Nazzaro · wcvb.com ~~
More than a year after a wind turbine off the coast of Nantucket malfunctioned, causing debris to wash ashore, the town and Vineyard Wind have struck a new agreement to improve transparency.
On Thursday, Nantucket officials announced they secured a series of commitments from the wind project coordinators to improve information sharing, communications, along with emergency planning and response.
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Under the new agreement, Vineyard Wind will:
- Notify eight designated town officials within three hours of any incident that triggers an emergency response, including blade failures.
- Receive public feedback on a summary of its new debris/infrastructure failure response plan.
- Have a town representative observe the annual emergency response scenarios with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
- Involve a town representative on the communication coordination team during an emergency incident.
- Share all final emergency incident response reports submitted to regulatory agencies within 10 days.
- Share preliminary results of any critical findings in the reports as they are reached within 10 business days.
- Reimburse the town of Nantucket within 60 days for reasonable emergency expenses.
- Appoint a project liaison to answer town questions in a timely manner.
- Respond within seven days to all town questions.
- Provide monthly written reports about construction and operations to the town, which will be shared publicly.
- Report ADLS (lighting reduction system) periods of inoperability.
- Engage in structured dispute resolutions, including formal mediation, in the case of breaches of these commitments.
Town officials said they did not forfeit their right to sue for damages arising from any breach of these terms.
“Transparency and predictability are essential to protect our world-renowned coastline, fisheries, night skies, and heritage tourism economy,” said Brooke Mohr, a member of the Nantucket Select Board.
The town of Nantucket agreed in part to help convey emergency information about the offshore wind project to the public, provide emergency support where necessary, and convey citizen questions to the company.
The town will similarly need to identify a dedicated liaison for back-and-forth communication between the two entities.
“Vineyard Wind 1 is pleased to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Nantucket, which is the product of respectful and cooperative discussions between the parties over recent months,” said Craig Gilvarg, a Vineyard Wind spokesperson. “The protocols described in the MOU will promote regular and transparent communication between Vineyard Wind and the Town of Nantucket, and we look forward to a long-term, positive relationship with the island.”
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