November 6, 2008

New York Issues Wind Industry Ethics Code

New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced a new Wind Industry Ethics Code, which calls for new oversight through a Task Force and aims to establish transparency to deter improper relationships between wind companies and municipal employees. Noble Environmental Power LLC and First Wind are the first companies to sign the codes.

In an attempt to be more environmentally friend, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed that wind turbines be installed on top of the city’s skyscrapers and bridges.

The new ethics code bans wind companies from hiring municipal employees or their relatives; prevents wind companies from soliciting or using confidential information acquired by a municipal officer during the course of official duties; and requires wind companies to establish and maintain a public Web site to disclose the names of all municipal officers or their relatives who have a financial stake in wind farm development. More details about the new ethic code can be found here (PDF).

The Wind Industry Ethics Code is a result of the Attorney General’s investigation into whether companies developing wind farms improperly sought land-use agreements with citizens and public officials, and whether improper benefits were given to public officials to influence their official actions relating to wind farm development.

The Attorney General recently made Dynergy Inc. and Xcel Energy disclose their financial risks associated with climate change to the Securities Exchange Commission.

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