NY investigating two wind power companies

ALBANY, N.Y., July 16 (UPI) -- New York state has opened a sweeping investigation of two wind power companies, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said.

Cuomo's office is investigating First Wind of Newton, Mass., and Noble Environmental Power LL of Essex, Conn., on possible charges of anti-competitive practices, bribery of public officials and questionable deals with landowners, The Wall Street Journal reported.

First Wind is currently operating one wind farm in New York. Among the 48 projects it has in development four are slated for New York state, the Journal reported.

Noble Environmental is developing five projects in New York, Cuomo said.

Cuomo praised "all renewable energy sources," but said the companies must still abide by the rules.

"If dirty tricks are used to facilitate even clean-energy projects, my office will put a stop to it," Cuomo said.