Challenges Mount for US Offshore Wind Projects as Nantucket Fights Back

US offshore wind projects are facing even more challenges as the town of Nantucket and activist groups are taking a stand against three offshore wind projects off the Massachusetts coast.

The town officials have filed an appeal in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, challenging the decision by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to allow the SouthCoast Wind project to move forward despite acknowledging that it would “tarnish Nantucket’s world-renowned views.”

Nantucket officials argue that BOEM’s approval violates both the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, laws that ensure federal agencies mitigate harm to historic sites before clearing projects. The town has enlisted Cultural Heritage Partners as special legal counsel for the lawsuit.

Concerns have also been raised about the potential risks associated with offshore wind projects, citing the incident at Vineyard Wind where a massive turbine blade disintegrated and filled the town’s beaches with debris. Nantucket fears that similar incidents could occur with other projects, jeopardizing the town’s economy that heavily relies on heritage tourism.

“Our economy depends on heritage tourism. If people stop coming to Nantucket, that hurts our small businesses, our workers, and our community,” said Matt Fee, vice chair of the select board.

Additionally, the Nantucket-based group ACK for Whales is taking action by urging the US Environmental Protection Agency to revoke permits granted to Vineyard Wind and New England Wind for the construction and operation of their offshore wind farms.

The group recently filed a petition against Vineyard Wind, calling for the EPA to rescind the permit that was granted in 2021 and amended in 2022. Vineyard Wind is currently under construction, and a similar petition was previously filed against New England Wind.