Nantucket wind turbine blade falling into the sea

A wind turbine blade that's breaking off of a Vineyard Wind installation in Nantucket Sound is falling into the ocean.

Why it matters: The faltering turbine is a massive technical and publicity failure for the region's biggest clean energy project.

• Debris from the 107-meter blade has already washed up on shore and forced the closure of beaches on Nantucket.

The latest: The company reported a "significant part" of what remains of the blade detached Thursday morning.

• Reports and photos show nearly the entire blade missing from the turbine.
• Power production was halted after the blade began failing on Saturday.

The wind project's CEO Klaus Moeller abruptly cut short an apology before the Nantucket Select Board when the situation went from bad to worse.

• There's even a toll-free number to call to report any debris islanders might come across.

Context: Vineyard Wind just started producing clean electricity in February after years of construction and decades of debate about siting a large wind project on Nantucket Sound.