New York AG Establishes Code of Conduct for Wind Turbine Permitting Process. By Ken Belson, NYTimes, October 31, 2008. "Two of the state's largest developers of wind power agreed on Thursday to follow a new, stringent code of conduct created by Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, who has been investigating the companies over allegations that they bribed or intimidated municipal officials to approve wind projects. By agreeing to follow the code of conduct, the companies, Noble Environmental Power and First Wind, agreed not to hire or give gifts to town officials responsible for approving wind power projects. The companies also agreed not to compensate the relatives of officials involved in deciding the fate of wind power installations, which have become a major source of income in many upstate communities. In July, the attorney general's office began investigating a growing number of complaints from community groups, residents and law enforcement officials in upstate towns where wind farms were either built or being developed. No one has been prosecuted as a result of the investigation... Mr. Cuomo expects other wind power companies to agree to follow the code as well... 'Wind power is an exciting industry for the state that will be a cornerstone of our energy future,' Mr. Cuomo said in a statement. 'But it is important to make sure that this alternative-energy sector develops in a way that maintains the public's confidence, and that is what this new code of conduct does.'"
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