GOLD RUSH FOR WIND IN UPSTATE NY

Scandal and corruption in small town politics? Shocking! What’s next – pigs that roll in muck?

The huge “gold rush” to build wind energy in upstate NY has resulted in development expected to reach 1000 megawatts by the end of 2008. It has also resulted in allegations against public officials for using undue influence on wind project approval for personal profit.

A local observer explained: "These elected officials (who had lease agreements with wind developers) were the same ones who would have to pass the appropriate local legislation to allow them to be constructed…And they would do it."

The county attorney general turned complaints and findings over to Andrew Cuomo, the state AG to investigate whether the “gold rush” could also be the next “Enron scam.” Cuomo issued subpoenas.

Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General, NY State: "…if dirty tricks are used to facilitate even clean-energy projects, my office will put a stop to it."

(Did the smell of political ambition just waft through the room? Nevermind.)

Despite the enormous benefits in jobs and tax revenues wind installations bring to rural, often economically floundering, communities, wind energy usually finds opponents. Often the opponents are Old Energy advocates with Old Energy funding.

A more legitimate kind of complaint comes from advocates for more effective regulation.

James Hall, co-founder, Cohocton Wind Watch group: "We need a consistent, thorough, comprehensive regulatory process that oversees the development of all these projects…"

Locals are less concerned with regulation and corruption than they are with the burden of skyrocketing gas pump and heating oil prices.

Paul Wolcott, a farmer with 13 turbines planned for his property near Cohocton in Steuben County: "What a waste of taxpayers' dollars for the attorney general to be investigating this…Here we are talking about getting an alternative source of energy, a renewable source that's local."

In Howard, Steuben County, town-board member William Hatch is being sued for alleged conflicts of interest. He voted on local laws pertaining to wind installations while at the same time negotiating with a wind company to lease his own land for turbines. He recused himself from voting after his deal was finalized.

Hatch: "They have been suing us for every reason they can and this appears to be the last one they can come up with, I guess…"

Should the town of Howard get the 25 turbines Hatch advocated and voted for, its town taxes could be cut 40% by revenues from wind production.

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“Gold Rush” for wind energy fuels debate, allegations in small NY towns
Joseph Spector, July 24, 2008 (Binghampton Press & Sun Bulletin)

WHO
Derek Champagne, District Attorney, Franklin County; Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General, NY State; First Wind; Noble Environmental Power LLC

WHAT
After investing allegations against upstate NY public officials for using undue influence in the development of wind energy installations, County AG Champagne passed his findings on to state AG Andrew Cuomo. First Wind and Noble Environment have been subpoenaed.

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WHEN
- In mid-July, Attorney General Cuomo subpoenaed 2 major wind developers.
- NY state’s Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) requires the state’s utilities to obtain 25% of their power from New Energy sources by 2013.

WHERE
- Franklin County, upstate NY near the Canadian border.
- The main areas of wind development in NY are the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and North Country regions.
- First Wind is based in Newton, Mass.
- Noble Environmental Power LLC is based in Essex, Conn.

WHY
- 8 wind projects are operating in NY. 65 projects are in development.
- 1,000 megawatts of wind energy capacity are expected to be on line in NY state by the end of 2008.
- Better state oversight of unprepared small town regulatory operations would likely improve the integrity of the process.
- Prattsburgh, Steuben County, Supervisor Harold McConnell allegedly voted on wind installation issues after contracting with a developer.
- Hamlin, Monroe County, town board member Paul Rath allegedly leased land for wind development, abstained from votes pertaining to wind energy, voted for a Wind Advisory Committee and for board members.
- There are multiple allegations against local officials who voted in wind projects and then took jobs with wind intallers.
- There are also allegations involving the improper sale of renewable energy credits.
- First Wind and Noble Environmental Power have been subpoenaed.

Add "Screen for ambitious local pols" to the list. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Carol Murphy, executive director, Alliance for Clean Energy New York: "It puts a lot of pressure on municipalities who have to make tough decisions…we expect our members to uphold the highest, strictest standards of developing projects…"
- John Saintcross, senior project manager, NY Energy Research and Development Authority: "They can't sell any credits without producing energy…"