NY Attorney General investigates wind companies

The Office of the New York Attorney General (Andrew Cuomo) announced that it has launched an

investigation into two companies developing and operating wind farms across New York state amid allegations of improper dealings with public officials and anti-competitive practices.

The companies are First Wind (formerly UPC Wind) and Noble Environmental Power, LLC. The AG’s office indicated that is has issued subpoenas to collect documents from the companies because in recent months it

has received numerous complaints regarding the two companies from citizens, groups and public officials in eight counties alleging improper relations between the companies and local officials and other improper practices.

Here for the full press release from the Attorney General’s office announcing the investigation into New York wind developers.

It is important to bear in mind that the initiation of an investigation by the Attorney General equates to neither guilt nor innocence. Noble’s CEO, Walt Howard, issued a statement, saying the company

…will cooperate fully with the Attorney General. We are confident the Attorney General’s inquiry will find that Noble’s actions have been legal and proper and we look forward to his review.

Here for the full Noble statement regarding the Attorney General’s investigation.