Wind energy could be next big thing in NY, but AG wants to ensure regulation

It seems to be the hot topic for campaigning politicians, but as the idea of clean energy begins to pick up steam, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says new regulation also needs to be locked in place for the budding industry.

As a result, Cuomo announced Thursday a new Wind Industry Ethics Code to ensure that development of alternative energy continues in New York properly and legally.

"Wind power is an exciting industry for the state that will be a cornerstone of our energy future," Cuomo said in a statement Thursday. "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."

Two companies have already signed on to the ethics code: Noble Environmental Power, based in Essex, Connecticut, and First Wind, based in Newton, Mass.

Both currently operate wind farms in New York and have several others in development.

The attorney general has previously investigated whether wind-farm companies improperly sought land-use agreements with citizens and public officials, and whether those companies have tried to sway lawmakers into backing wind farm development with improper benefits.

Cuomo said Noble and First Wind "fully cooperated in the inquiry and their assistance was instrumental in developing the Code of Conduct that is being announced today."

The Wind Industry Ethics Code prohibits conflicts of interest between municipal officials and wind companies, and establishes new public disclosure requirements. To read the code, visit the AG's website here.

The state has estimated that wind power could provide 20 percent of the state's electricity demand, and the industry could add 43,000 jobs in New York by 2013.