New Code of Ethics for Wind Energy Companies Doing Business in New York : A Back-Door Approach to Regulating Municipal Ethics

Following allegations of corruption and unethical conduct on the part of both wind farm developers and municipal officials, the New York Attorney General unveiled a voluntary code of ethics for wind energy companies. Perhaps recognizing the gaps in municipal ethics laws and regulations at the state and local level, this voluntary code is an avenue for indirectly regulating the conduct of municipal officials. The only potential signatories to the voluntary code are wind companies, and to date, only two companies have signed - and both of these companies were facing investigations by the Attorney General. This article compares provisions in the voluntary wind code of ethics with existing state statutory language regulating disclosure of interests, gifts, lobbying, employment, education and training and notification. A copy of the code of conduct for wind farm development is appended to the article