Rep. Eric Massa has sent a letter to President Obama urging the Government Accountability Office to investigate stimulus funds awarded in Steuben County.
The government gave First Wind nearly $75 million in stimulus money for the wind farm project in Cohocton. But Massa calls the transaction "alarming."
In his letter to the president, Massa writes, “Constituents in our region see these projects as criminal actions."
Massa says the government should *not* be rewarding first wind, because he says the company has abused the public's trust.
“I am very concerned about the award of these monies when there are so many other projects and requirements throughout the Southern Tier that I believe are higher priority than that $75 million grant to a private and potentially foreign-owned corporation,” said Massa.
In response, First Wind spokesman John Lamontagne tells WENY-TV News, “There were very strict standards in the recovery bill, and our project met them…The funds will serve as a stimulus for further investment in renewable projects -- not just by First Wind, but by others in the industry as well."
Cohocton town supervisor Jack Zigenfus is angry with Massa's letter to the president. He says the wind project has brought in jobs and lowered taxes -- the town has even paid off its debt.
“We’ve bailed out automakers, we've bailed out banks that do business all over the world, and now we get money locally for something that has created something in his own congressional district – I don't know what the guy is thinking,” said Zigenfus.
No word yet if Rep. Massa's heard back from the White House.
(Click to the link to watch the VIDEO)
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