BP Wind discloses leases with town officials

CAPE VINCENT — Town officials who have signed leases with BP Wind Energy North America Inc. stand to make between $1,500 and $27,545 annually, according to information released by BP.

The disclosure fulfills the requirements of the Wind Industry Ethics Code, which was introduced by state Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo in July. BP has a proposal for the 140-megawatt Cape Vincent Wind Farm in the southern agricultural district of the town.

Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall has a lease with BP that could be worth about $27,545 per year. His wife, Virginia, is a member of the Thousand Islands Central School District Board of Education. Her parents and brother also have leases, with a possible value of $1,500 and $16,266 per year, respectively.

BP estimated that the lease with Councilman Marty T. Mason is worth $24,400 annually. His parents also have a lease, with a possible value of $1,500 per year, and his sister is town Clerk Jeri Ann Mason.

Councilman Donald J. Mason's brother has a lease with BP, valued at $1,500 annually.

In Lyme, new Councilman Donald R. Bourquin has two brothers with leases, with values of $8,133 and $2,633 annually.

BP's form, available on its Web site, also includes officials from the town and village of Cape Vincent who will have no decision-making power over the project.

ON THE NET

BP Alternative Energy: www.erm.com/BPNYWind