Good Neighbor Agreement

Read the full agreement here

What it is

• The “Good Neighbor Agreement” between Vineyard Wind and “Nantucket entities” was entered into on 8/27/2020 and binds

  • Nantucket to support several large-scale offshore wind projects off our south shores (hundreds of turbines), and

  • Nantucket to inform Federal/State agencies that Vineyard Wind’s commitments are sufficient to minimize the visual impacts to our Island.

• The Agreement allowed Vineyard Wind to meet its obligations to “consult” with Nantucket as a National Historic Landmark. Nantucket is afforded the highest level of protections in accordance with section 106 and section 110f of the National Historic Preservation Act.

  • Section 106 requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their permitting activities on historic properties.

  • Section 110(f) requires federal agencies to require all possible planning to minimize harm to National Historic Landmarks.

• Nantucket’s Select Board negotiated and signed the Agreement in closed session without the public weighing in or even being informed of the risks to its decades long efforts of historic preservation.

• The Agreement covers 4 projects (eventually 775 turbines) off Nantucket’s shores.

• The Agreement binds Vineyard Wind to give Nantucket some “mitigations,” listed below. It is important to note that most of Vineyard Wind’s concessions are now considered industry standards.

• Vineyard Wind’s Obligations:

  • To remove “first row” of turbines…which is 6 turbines (there will eventually be 775 turbines visible from Nantucket). Subsequently, the height of the turbines increased 40%.

  • To paint the turbines grey.

  • Non-binding agreement to use Aircraft Detection Lighting System. (to date, this has not been implemented)

  • To support the Nantucket Community Fund.

• Nantucket Parties’ (Town and County of Nantucket - Select Board, Maria Mitchell Association, Nantucket Preservation Trust) Obligations:

  • To inform residents and visitors of the benefits of the VW projects.

  • To inform federal, state and local officials of their support for the projects as part of the Federal review process.

  • To agree that the money and “mitigations” are sufficient to minimize the visual impacts to the Island, and the Nantucket Parties must inform BOEM, the National Park Service and the Massachusetts Historic Commission of that the “mitigations” are sufficient.

Why it’s a concern

• Severely impacts Nantucket, our National Historic Landmark.

  • On page 57 of the National Historic Landmark Nomination for Nantucket, the document states "By the late 18th century, it was already a well-established haven from the cares of the world, where a ‘plain simplicity’ prevailed and unencumbered views of the ocean offered a balm to the soul."

• The economic ramifications impact EVERY property owner and business owner on the Island.

  • According to Nantucket’s lawyers, offshore wind could cause Nantucket’s tourism economy to lose more than $815 million over the next 30 years. Recently the same lawyers stated that Newport, RI could suffer more than a $5 Billion loss.

• No discussion of the terms of the agreement occurred with the community, even though the provisions in the agreement will seriously impact EVERY resident, property owner, business owner and the Town itself, potentially, forever.

  • “Gags” Nantucket from expressing any criticism of the major impacts this project and some future projects on the Island.

• The Good Neighbor Agreement silences Nantucket.

  • Attempts to negotiate with SouthCoast Wind, Beacon Wind and BayState Wind lease holders have been unsuccessful to date and public complaints about the negative impacts of Vineyard Wind or offshore wind in general are not allowed as a result of the Good Neighbor Agreement.

How much money is promised?

• The precise answer is unclear.

• According to the Agreement, a $4 million payment by Vineyard Wind should have been paid in November 2021.

• In November 2023, a press release states that Nantucket received only $2.53 million from Vineyard Wind, broken down as follows…

  • $1.25 million towards projects by the Town of Nantucket.

  • $600,000 towards projects by the Nantucket Preservation Trust.

  • $600,000 towards Nantucket community grant applications from non-profits and other qualified community groups.

• In the next 8 years, Vineyard Wind is expected to make additional payments totaling $12 million, however future payments are unclear. Vineyard Wind has paid penalaties greater the $64 million to terminate power purchase agreements and future projects are on hold pending economic conditions. Payments to Maria Mitchell Association and Nantucket Preservation Trust are unknown.

Vote Yes at Town Meeting for Warrant Articles 77 and 78

Articles #77 and #78 address the ramifications of this agreement.

Article 77

To see if the Town will vote to direct the Select Board to take any and all actions available to it in order to withdraw the Town from participation in the “Good Neighbor Agreement” purportedly entered into by the Town and County of Nantucket with Vineyard Wind, LLC, dated August 27, 2020, regarding development of off-shore wind energy projects within the Massachusetts Wind Energy Area, which was executed by the Chair of the Nantucket Select Board without authorization by Town Meeting; or take other action with regard thereto.

Article 78 (Town Actions Regarding Nantucket’s section 106/110-f protections and Offshore Wind)

To see if the Town will vote to direct the Select Board that any action taken by or on behalf of the Town of Nantucket to receive funds and/or mitigations from offshore wind companies associated with Nantucket’s National Historic Landmark Section 106 and 110-f protections shall not be effective unless it has been authorized by vote of the Town Meeting.