MAINE MORNING STAR • September 5, 2024
“There’sIn July, a wind turbine blade fractured above the Atlantic Ocean. “There’s a lot of concern out there that is valid, but there’s also a lot of disinformation and whack-a-doo theories,” said Jim Boyd, a commercial shellfisherman and retired Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council deputy director. “The only thing that’s going to help the wind industry at this point is to be as upfront and transparent as possible.” Which has not always been the case. Two days after the 300-foot-long blade broke off of the Eiffel Tower-sized turbine Vineyard Wind LLC offered no explanation. Experts agree that there is not enough information to fully understand how building and operating the powerful projects will affect the sensitive ecosystem. Not to mention the safety concerns for fishermen and emergency rescue crews trying to navigate around 200 acres of turbines in rough seas or poor visibility. Environmental activists backing offshore wind as a key way to reduce carbon emissions are waiting with bated breath for more turbines to start spinning. The blade incident was concerning, but not as worrisome as climate change.