Wind companies are wolves
Wind is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Where is Vermont’s Attorney General William Sorrell?
Suggestions of improper dealings with public officials and anti-competitive practices opened an investigation by New York’s Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in July.
New York is trying to find out if wind companies obtained land-use agreements with New York’s residents and public officials through bribes or submitted false statements for permits during environmental hearings.
Vermont’s small towns being burdened by wind developers are all too familiar with these improper dealings.
Despite strong opposition, wind companies press forward by compensating for local and state support. They hire local residents to create “support” groups and infiltrate opposition. They meet privately with local, state, and federal agencies and legislators to pressure regulators.
They offer financial contracts to towns that mandate support before the Public Service Board. Town officials meet secretly with developers and then sign 20-year binding contracts that never see the light of day.
Vermont is the 16th poorest wind resource in the nation. It is clear that foreign wind developers care less about generating renewable energy here than the oil companies who are backing them.
Greg Bryant
Sheffield
2 October 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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