Prattsburgh, N.Y.
The company under investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office announced Monday it plans to begin construction of its planned wind tower project in Prattsburgh in the spring of 2009.
The Massachusetts-based company, First Wind (formerly known as UPC Wind), plans to put up 36 wind turbines in the Steuben County town that borders Naples in Ontario County.
Last month, the citizens group Advocates for Prattsburgh sued to overturn a 3-2 vote by the Prattsburgh Town Board approving the eminent domain proceedings that would force seven property owners to allow wind developers to bury cable on their land. The group maintained that Prattsburgh Town Supervisor Harold McConnell should not have participated in the vote since he benefited financially from real estate deals with developer First Wind.
McConnell publicly admitted at the April 21 board meeting he set up an unpaid real estate transaction for UPC/First Wind last year.
McConnell told the board he later received payment for the transaction after the town signed an agreement with UPC, adding he had been told by counsel the action would not prevent him from casting the deciding vote for eminent domain.
Also last month, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced an investigation of First Wind amid allegations of improper dealings with public officials and anti-competitive practices. The investigation involves subpoenas seeking — among other things — all documents concerning benefits conferred on any person or entity in connection with windfarm activity; all agreements, easements or contracts regarding placement of wind turbines; agreements between wind companies that may indicate anti-competitive practices; and all documents pertaining to benefits received from local, state or federal agencies.
Meanwhile, First Wind began construction last fall on roughly 50 turbines in Cohocton, another Steuben County town bordering Naples.
John Lamontagne, spokesman for First Wind, said Monday the company anticipates the eminent domain case to be “wrapped up by spring ’09,” and he doesn’t believe it will affect the start of the Prattsburgh project. As for the state investigation, Lamontagne said, “We can’t discuss the attorney general situation.”
A call to Cuomo’s office Monday seeking information was not returned.
Chris Swartley, vice president of development for Northeast First Wind (a regional division of First Wind), said in a statement: “We look forward to continuing to work with the town of Prattsburgh and its residents and appreciate the strong support the project has received.”
Contact Julie Sherwood at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 263, or jsherwood@messengerpostmedia.com
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