Cohocton not surprised by wind investigation

COHOCTON, N.Y. -- The owner of a dairy farm has been working with First Wind for years to put more than a dozen turbines on his land in Cohocton.

"It's been a very good relationship. We've worked together to get this project underway," said Lent Hill Dairy Farm owner Paul Wolcott.

Turbines are starting to dot Cohocton's hills and some landowners say First Wind is staying cooperative.

"They seem up front and they've done about everything they said they were going to do," said Pine Hill landowner Doug Schwingel.

"It's been a team effort. It hasn't been push and shove. Everything we've done, we've done on our own free will," Wolcott said.

Now the state is investigating whether that's been the case across the board. Members of Cohocton Wind Watch say it hasn't.

"We've uncovered evidence throughout the past couple of years of very questionable business practices: anti-trust violations, potential bribery, fraud that's been going on," said James Hall.

The New York State Attorney General's Office is looking into whether First Wind did anything improper when it got permission to build turbines in Cohocton and in other areas. Landowners say they're not surprised by the investigation.

"There are will people who are emotionally opposed to this project. And they have tried to stir up as much dissension as they can through the whole thing. I think their claims are going to be unfounded," Wolcott said.

"We feel that the resources of New York State are well used to investigate and to hopefully prosecute wrongdoers," Hall said.

Whatever the state finds, it seems what won't change are the divided opinions and new landscape in Cohocton.

The Cohocton Town Supervisor was not in town for comment Wednesday.

A spokesperson for First Wind says the company has received the Attorney General's subpoena and is prepared to fully cooperate in the investigation.