Donald Trump, who has long railed against wind turbines, threatened to halt the industry on “day one” of his presidency throughout his campaign, raising concerns for advocates who feel wind energy is a major factor in meeting state and federal climate goals.
The fledgling offshore wind energy industry being built to the Vineyard’s south is facing new uncertainty after former President Donald Trump emerged victorious in this month’s presidential election.
Mr. Trump, who has long railed against wind turbines, threatened to halt the industry on “day one” of his presidency throughout his campaign, raising concerns for advocates who feel wind energy is a major factor in meeting state and federal climate goals.
But some, who may not necessarily share most of the president-elect’s views, were heartened to have a president more skeptical of the new energy source, especially in light of the Vineyard Wind turbine blade breaking off the Vineyard’s coast this summer.
Mr. Trump has not been shy about his views on wind turbines, which he claims have been deadly for birds and whales.
“We are going to make sure that that ends on day one,” Mr. Trump said at a May rally in New Jersey. “I’m going to write it out in an executive order. It’s going to end on day one.”
Several experts and state officials felt the incoming president could enact a slowdown of any projects that do not currently have all of their federal permits, though peeling back approvals for projects such as Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind would prove difficult.
“I do think that the regulatory agency is where we are more likely to see bottlenecks,” said Kate Sinding Daly, the senior vice president for law and policy at the Conservation Law Foundation.
Kelt Wilska, the offshore wind director for the Environmental League of Massachusetts, believed that grants already allocated to help boost offshore wind couldn’t be pulled back, but tax incentives to build up the renewable energy projects and infrastructure could be on the chopping block.
He argued that quashing the nascent offshore wind industry would go against many of Mr. Trump’s other beliefs, such as backing American jobs.
“There’s a question of can Trump do things to slow down the industry,” Mr. Wilska said. “Yes. Should he? Absolutely not.”
Others welcomed a new perspective on offshore wind energy, which had drawn criticism even before a turbine blade broke at Vineyard Wind, scattering debris on the nearby shores of the Vineyard, Nantucket and beyond.
Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, the chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), has argued that the Biden administration moved too fast on approving offshore wind projects. In July, Ms. Andrews-Maltais called on the federal government to stop all construction and operation of turbines until each blade was reinspected to prevent further breaks.
Despite several more blades being found defective, Vineyard Wind has resumed construction.
“We are troubled that it’s still full steam ahead under the current administration,” she said.
Though she disagreed with much of Mr. Trump’s policies, Ms. Andrews-Maltais felt he understood the need to do more study on the implications of turbines taller than the Statue of Liberty being installed in the ocean floor.
“The incoming administration recognizes that offshore wind is not a panacea,” she said. “We are hoping that the new administration will hear us and work with us.”
A spokesperson for Avangrid, one of the parent companies for Vineyard Wind, did not return a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for SouthCoast Wind, which is currently in the permitting stage.
The Nantucket select board held a public forum on the SouthCoast Wind project earlier this month, and several residents, including select board member Dawn Holdgate raised the potential for things to be different under the Trump administration.
Some at the forum expressed interest in halting permitting for the project altogether.
“We’re no longer in a position of weakness,” Charlotte DuHamel said at the Nov. 19 meeting. “The tide has turned, everyone can see it. The Trump administration, whether you like it or not, is bringing a sea change not only to this industry, but to how the negotiation works.”
State Sen. Julian Cyr, a Democrat who represents the Vineyard and Nantucket at the State House, said there would be uncertainty around not just offshore wind, but other major infrastructure projects such as the replacement of the Cape bridges.
“There’s a lot of bluster about rolling back incentives for renewable energy,” he said. “Whether it comes to pass remains to be seen.”
He worried that Mr. Trump may opt to push for offshore drilling along the Atlantic coast, and Mr. Cyr introduced a bill that prohibits ports from assisting with offshore oil exploration or development.
No matter what the strategy from the nation’s capital, Mr. Cyr said it was important for Massachusetts to stick to its values and continue to support green initiatives.
“Whether it’s about moving forward on the climate crisis and renewable energy, to protecting basic rights and freedoms, we will be unyielding to the extremes we may see out of Washington,” he said.
Comments
I've never voted republican
Jason Snow EdgartownI've never voted republican in my life, this was the first election that had me considering it, but I still held off, I'm not thrilled with the results but if he can put an end to this I would consider it a massive silver lining.
You speculate on many things
Clint Harriman EdgartownYou speculate on many things here. Consider seeing what actually transpires before you indict, subject to trial, convict, and execute in the same article filled with speculations.
On the bright side, at least there may now be an opportunity to make a prudent decision on this and many other things that the American majority voted for.
I’m in favor of wind power,
Janet WTI’m in favor of wind power, but the developers did themselves a disservice by building within sight of prime waterfront. The backlash from the destroyed views (and nighttime lights) will put a quick end to these projects. If they would have just spent a little more money to build farther offshore everyone would be better off.
Its disgusting to have this
just a thought mvIts disgusting to have this huge industrial complex in the most pristine waters of new england. I'm not against wind but it should be sited appropriately.. such as the windswept area of the Otis Air National guard base. How are the supporters of this project enjoying the intrusive constant overhead helicopter noise that is used to travel to these contraptions?
Are you aware that Otis
Lives Here EdgartownAre you aware that Otis (Joint Base Cape Cod) is a functioning Air National Guard base and radar installation?
Please save our ocean from
Susan (Suzie) McHughPlease save our ocean from any industrialization, whether it is wind farms or oil drilling, it is a pristine marine ecosystem and a travel corridor for birds and any marine life involving migration. Saveoursound.org (SOS)sign petition to preserve and save our sound off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard
Suzy I aggree wholeheartedly
John Klingensmith NaplesSuzy I aggree wholeheartedly
So many a sleep at the wheel.
J Hess EdgartownSo many a sleep at the wheel. This should have never been approved. Start on land and then in the water…
No due diligence with case studies that are applicable to Vineyard and Nantucket Soumd and Beyond.
I'm old enough to remember
Lives Here EdgartownI'm old enough to remember when there was widespread support of offshore wind development back in the Obama years.
What changed other than NIMBY?
Nantucket just had a meeting
Mike Marcus West Tisbury and Big SkyNantucket just had a meeting about one of the new wind farm projects. The 62 new turbines will be over 200ft taller than the currently installed turbines we see plainly off the south shore. The price of this electricity is too high and we are all subsidizing the developers who will profit. Wind farm work does not provide a wage that enables workers to buy homes or live on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s all been a bill of goods and the Islander’s who have supported these projects have bought into it hook, line and sinker.
Most of the middle of the country is relatively desolate. From Texas to Oklahoma all the way through the Dakotas there is an amazing wind resource. BUILD THE TRANSMISSION and move the electricity to the load centers and cities. Wind energy can be generated in these locations at 1/5th the cost of offshore wind…and broken blades and fiberglass won’t end up on the beach. Shame on Vineyard Power for helping to enable this mess, you’ve done nothing but profit off of Islander naïveté.
It sure seems like most of us
Fred Applegate RRIt sure seems like most of us stand with President Trump, and there needs to be a stop to the wind turbine farms! End Vineyard Wind!
Yes, let’s fight to put an
Joe ChilmarkYes, let’s fight to put an end to Vineyard Wind. Not just halt construction of new turbines, but removing the existing ones too. Vineyard Wind perpetrated a fraud by claiming the turbines would not be visible from land and that they were safe.
Happy to read that the wind
Island Native OBHappy to read that the wind farms are being looked into. I would be happy to have them all stop until
a new contract or no contract is considered. The contract in place is horrible and should not go further.
I’m a free market person.
Tom P EdgartownI’m a free market person. However, the Coastline of the Vineyard is one of my favorite places on this Earth. To destroy it’s beauty and impede any wildlife is absurd. So much incredible bird and marine life! This should never have been approved!
In a perfect world the new
Ron M EdgartownIn a perfect world the new President's EPA would order these units to be dismantled on the grounds that they are a threat to the environment. However, a compromise position would be to halt any further construction of these units, require the dismantling of any one of these units that falls apart and then prohibit the replacement of any unit that has fallen apart. At least the latter policy would provide Vineyard Wind with an incentive to take all steps necessary to prevent any more of these units from disintegrating.
I sure hope Trump puts an end
Fran VHI sure hope Trump puts an end to Vineyard Wind, but we need to be watchful that he doesn’t support offshore oil drilling off the Vineyard in its place. That would be even worse than the turbines.
There is so much new
Sara Piazza EdgartownThere is so much new information and data regarding climate and energy resources that does not support the need for wind energy, a dubious proposition from the outset. Please stop this madness.
Saddened to see all of the
Barry TisburySaddened to see all of the myopic nimby-ism. We believe in climate change, we believe in science, we believe we should do something about it, but actually please just do it somewhere else that won’t ruin my view.
I care more about climate
Ann S. ChilmarkI care more about climate change than my view so welcome wind energy and will not fight it. But I have been surprised and saddened by how much larger and closer these wind turbines are—especially from the South Shore. We used to see a stunning wild view ith no industrialization, just fishing boats. How fortunate we were.
Now, the light pollution at night, with flashing red lights, and bright white lights (for construction only, I hope) makes it look like we’re overlooking a refinery on the horizon. I thought they were supposed to be so far away that they would barely be visible. Was that promised?
. I also wonder, is there an escrow account or some requirement for removing these massive eyesores once they stop using them or they stop making money? Or will these companies abandon them like so many oil rigs when they’re no longer profitable?
There is nothing sadder than
BO EdgartownThere is nothing sadder than people complaining about getting their views ruined on a fancy vacation island while the world burns.
After four years of relative
John VHAfter four years of relative silence, the climate change denying fossil fuel lovers are back sharing uninformed comments. How many of them would be ready to sign up for a coal-burning, pollution-spewing electrical plant in their backyards (e.g. on the island)?
What did Vineyard Wind do in
JERRY B edgartownWhat did Vineyard Wind do in advance of this disaster to warn those that the islands greatest asset on so many levels, is compromised, for what gain to those who have lost this. Because GE Vernova is making cash off, none of it benefitting the people that sacrifice, those that have lost that feeling of looking over the water for eternity, as it was. We have no light pollution, unique quiet,a fantastic land bank system, but now we go to the water, the reason we are special, to look at an industrial park. Who wants to fish there? Where is the decade long research to effects on birds, whales, shellfish, tides, freakin' lobsters? We were hoodwinked by a naive system, and a corporate interests, masquerading as do-good environmentalists. Does anyone realize how much petroleum is used to build , maintain, and grease this monstrosity? The construction crews dont sail to work.
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