Representatives from Vineyard Offshore, parent company of Vineyard Wind I and II, spoke in Westport at the Offshore Wind Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday, February 20. Approximately 200 people spent over two hours yet now we have more questions than answers.

Why didn't Vineyard Offshore announce that they will not be bringing their high voltage cables ashore in Westport prior to the Feb. 20th meeting at the high school?  No press release? No social media posts? Their lack of such simple actions contributes to our mistrust. Their representatives could not answer basic questions, and their arrogant and condescending attitude toward communities like Westport, still suffering beach pollution from July 13, 2024 blade break, was disturbing. 

Could they not anticipate local concerns and come prepared to address them? Why aren't they announcing their disaster cleanup strategy? Why aren't they boasting about their decommissioning plan? People do not trust this nascent industry because it is cloaked in secrecy by the very PR teams charged with building public trust. A public who will be forced to pay not only with our money, but with our beaches, our precious natural resources.  

Vineyard Offshore and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners should go back to the drawing board. Or better yet, just go away.

Lauren Knight

Marion