First Wind, a company with permits to build a wind power project in northern Vermont, is under investigation in New York for alleged improper practices in obtaining land and permits to build wind farms.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has served subpoenas on the Newton, Mass.-based company and on Noble Environmental Power, a Connecticut company. First Wind has built three projects in New York; Noble has built major wind farms just across Lake Champlain from Vermont.

The two companies said they are cooperating with the investigation. In a release, Noble CEO Walt Howard said, "We are confident the attorney general's inquiry will find that Noble's actions have been legal and proper and we look forward to his review."

Spokesmen for the two companies declined to comment further.

According to Cuomo, his office is investigating whether the two companies:

• Improperly sought or obtained land-use agreements with citizens and public officials.
• Gave improper benefits to public officials to influence their actions.
• Entered into anti-competitive agreements or practices.

Cuomo's subpoenas seek documents from the two developers, including contracts with landowners, any agreements between the two companies and any documents "concerning any benefits conferred on any individual in connection with wind farm activity."

In Vermont, First Wind is seeking to build a 16-turbine project in Sheffield. Last year, it became the first developer to win permits for a wind project in the state since the 1990s. Opponents have appealed the permit to the Vermont Supreme Court.