1 September 2010
The state Attorney General’s office has
launched an investigation into possible misconduct by Cape Vincent
officials for wind turbine farms proposed by Acciona Energia and
British Petroleum.
In an
Aug, 13 letter, the state ordered all documents from the town council
and planning board related to wind development be turned over.
Two
out of five town board members and three out of five planning board
members either personally have agreements to lease their land to wind
developers or have relatives with wind leases.
One
current state senator is also reported to have a contract with a wind
developer.
The
Watertown Times recently reported that, “State Sen. Darrel
Aubertine receives more than a $1,000 annually from a Cape Vincent
wind developer even though his spokesman said there are no plans to
build a turbine on his property.”
As
reported in the Feb. 23, 2008 issue of The Valley News, Aubertine’s
disclosure statement, filed May 15, 2007 with the state Legislative
Ethics Commission, does not list any interests or contracts with any
wind-power companies.
His
disclosure statements show he and his wife Margaret own a total of
just more than 600 acres of land.
His
most recent filing does show income from a St. Lawrence County wind
farm.
Oswego
County officials have been closely observing all that is happening
with wind farms in the north country, as one proposed project would
site the high-powered transmission lines somewhere within the county
boundaries.
One
proposed route for the Galloo Island project would bring the lines
through the Village of Pulaski, a plan that county lawmakers oppose
because the county coffer relies on the fishing industry that could
be substantially impacted.
The
original path of the line was to run from Henderson to Ellisburg,
Sandy Creek and Pulaski to a National Grid line in Mexico.
A
change in the route had the lines running into Hounsfield and along
Route 12F to an electric substation on Outer Coffeen Street in
Watertown.
The
most recent proposal is actually four proposals and public meetings
are scheduled for each potentially impacted municipality.
The
prospect of wind farms has sharply divided communities and opponents
of the two proposed wind farms at Cape Vincent reportedly brought the
investigation to fruition. The opponents complained that the process
was tainted by conflicts of interest on the town board and planning
board.
“There
is civil unrest in Cape Vincent,” Legislator Shawn Doyle said.
“When you have over 200 people going to a meeting within a town
divided, something’s going to break.”
Doyle
and former U.S. Ambassador and State Senator H. Douglas Barclay
represent the county in wind matters. Doyle has attended dozens of
meetings in the past two years in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence
counties.
Aubertine
spokesperson Drew Mangione said last week that the senator cannot
comment on the current investigation.
It is
not known when the investigation will conclude.
