Wind Farm Companies Investigated for "Improper" Dealings

Over the past few years, Western New York has been in the national spotlight because of the wind turbines installed in our area. But now, New York's Attorney General wants to take a closer look at the companies behind them and it has nothing to do with alternative energy.

First Wind is one of two companies served with a subpoena for allegations of improper dealings with public officials.

Andrew Cuomo is looking into "whether improper benefits were given to public officials to influence their actions, and whether they entered into anti-competitive agreements or practices," Cuomo said in a statement.

"Is Lackawanna involved in this in anyway," 2 On Your Side's Josh Boose asked Lackawanna Mayor Norman Polanski.

"In no way shape or form," Polanski replied. "We dealt with BQ Energy."

According to First Wind, BQ develops the property and First Wind owns and operates it. BQ is not part of the Attorney General's investigation.

BQ is also talking to the supervisor in the Town of Hamburg about a proposed project in that community.

"We've been hearing nothing but positive, in fact, the Woodlawn residents are really excited about that coming into their neighborhood," said Hamburg Town Supervisor Steven Walters.

But not everybody's happy. The attorney general says there were numerous complaints about First Wind and Noble Environmental Power.

The complaints came from citizens and groups in eight counties.

First Wind has a wind farm in Erie County and five in development. Noble has three wind farms in upstate New York, including one in Weatherfield. Five more are in development.

First Wind would only say they did receive a subpoena and would fully cooperate with the investigation.

Noble said they too would fully cooperate adding, "We are confident the Attorney General's investigation will find our actions to have been legal and proper."

The subpoenas seek all the documents concerning any benefits in connection with the wind farm activity, any contracts regarding placement of the wind turbines and all the documents that show payments or benefits received from any state, local or federal agency.