Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo Thursday announced a new Wind Industry Ethics Code that establishes guidelines to facilitate the development of alternative energy in New York while assuring the public the wind power industry is acting properly and within the law.
The code calls for new oversight through a multi-agency task force, and establishes transparency that will deter any improper relationships between wind development companies and local government officials.
The ethics code is a result of the Attorney General’s investigation into, among other things, whether companies developing wind farms improperly sought land-use agreements with citizens and public officials, and whether improper benefits were given to public officials to influence their official actions relating to wind farm development.
Part of the investigation centered on alleged misconduct in Prattsburgh over a proposed wind farm.
Town Supervisor Harold McConnell admitted accepting a payment to broker a land deal for First Wind, an energy company, but denied it influenced two votes he cast for the company to acquire private land through eminent domain. McConnell’s actions prompted a lawsuit that was recently argued in state Supreme Court in Bath and a ruling is expected.
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