Corners cut, data falsified at GE Vernova plant that manufactured failed turbine

DEBRIS FROM THIS SHATTERED TURBINE BLADE MAY BE DONE FALLING INTO THE OCEAN-

BUT FALLOUT FOR THOSE WHO WORKED ON BUILDING THE STRUCTURE CONTINUES.

FIBERGLASS SHARDS AND OTHER REMNANTS FROM THE VINEYARD WIND FARM FIRST STARTED WASHING UP ON NEARBY SHORES IN LATE JULY-

AND CONTINUED DOING SO FOR MORE THAN A MONTH AFTER THE INITIAL BREAKAGE.

THE INCIDENT PROMPTED THE TURBINE’S MANUFACTURERS- GE VERNOVA- TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

NOW, THEY’RE REPORTING THAT CORNERS WERE CUT AT THE COMPANY’S QUEBEC PLANT WHERE THE BLADE THAT FAILED WAS MADE.

MANAGERS REPORTEDLY PUSHED WORKERS TO COMPLETE THE BLADES FASTER WHICH RESULTED IN ERRORS.

GE VERNOVA HAS DECIDED TO LAY OFF NINE MANAGERS AND SUSPENDED 11 UNION MEMBERS OVER THE ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE.

THERE ARE ALSO CLAIMS THEIR PROBE FOUND EVIDENCE OF FALSIFIED QUALITY DATA HAPPENING AT THE CANADIAN FACTORY.

SENIOR COMPANY EXECUTIVES ARE SAID TO HAVE BEEN BEHIND THE SCHEME-

TELLING LOWER LEVEL EMPLOYEES TO ATTRIBUTE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH WELL MADE BLADES TO POORLY MADE ONES AS WELL.

GE VERNOVA HAS NEITHER CONFIRMED NOR DENIED THESE REPORTS.

THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED LATE LAST MONTH IT INTENDS TO REMOVE SOME ALREADY INSTALLED BLADES FROM THE VINEYARD WIND FARM AFTER A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE PROJECT.

OTHER BLADES AT THE SITE WILL ALSO BE STRENGTHENED AS A RESULT OF THE INSPECTION.

MEANWHILE, THE BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT SAYS ITS INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE VINEYARD WIND INCIDENT REMAINS ONGOING.

THE AGENCY STATING THERE’S CURRENTLY NO TIMETABLE FOR WHEN THAT WILL BE COMPLETED.

TO CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS REPORTING ON THE VINEYARD WIND TURBINE FAILURE, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT AROW NEWS APP AND SEARCH OFFSHORE WIND.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M JACK AYLMER.