By Jim Lisk, Editor
CNHI
Sunday, May 9, 2010 —
N.C. Senator Stan Bingham of Davidson County and Yadkin Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks have asked the state to investigate the possibly illegal lobbying efforts on behalf of Alcoa in the ongoing dispute concerning the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project.
In a letter to N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Bingham and Naujoks question the conveyance of 2.5 acres of waterfront property to Jones last year by Alcoa. They also say that their investigation of Rowan County tax records show that no taxes were paid when the property was conveyed to Jones.
Bingham and Naujoks contend that before the land conveyance, Jones met state senators and representatives in their offices to defend Alcoa. They have also asked the state to investigate whether Jones failed to file a registration statement and a quarterly expense report as required of lobbyists. They say that records cannot be found, and that as a result, Jones should be barred from lobbying.
They also say that prior to 2007, Jones was a staunch critic of Alcoa, then abruptly switched his allegiance in 2007.
Then, last year as the General Assembly considered the adoption of Senate Bill 967, which would set up a Yadkin River Trust to oversee the operations of the project, Jones lobbied against the bill's passage with what Naujoks calls “misinformation.”
The transfer of the property from Alcoa to Jones became public record in a Jan. 31, 2010 letter from Marshall Olson, environmental and natural resource manager for Alcoa, to Kimberly D. Bose, secretary of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The letter stated that Alcoa conveyed three tracts of land totaling approximately 2.5 acres to Jones and his wife in Rowan County on Oct. 20, 2009.
“Larry may not have only violated state law, he may also have benefitted personally from a land deal from Alcoa while claiming to represent the best interests of High Rock Lake Association,” said Sen. Bingham.
“We want to know it laws were broken,” Naujoks said. “We want to know why the county tax records indicate no taxes were being paid for the transfer of valuable High Rock Lake property to Jones from Alcoa. We want to know when these negotiations for the land transfer between Jones and Alcoa began.”
When asked to comment on the allegations, Alcoa spokesperson Joyce Fitzpatrick responded: “Alcoa has not received a copy of the letter so it is difficult to address what is claimed. However, Alcoa has complied fully with all registration and reporting requirements under the NC lobbying laws.
“Alcoa's dealings with Larry Jones have been straightforward and unrelated to his role with the High Rock Lake Association. This land transaction took place more than 2 1/2 years after the High Rock Lake Association signed the Relicensing Settlement Agreement in support of a new license for Alcoa, and with the full knowledge and support of the High Rock Lake Association's Board of Directors. It was properly and in a timely manner disclosed in Alcoa's annual land conveyance report filed with FERC.
“Alcoa has been a good steward of the Yadkin River and has the support of lakefront property owners, environmental groups, state agencies and the staff of FERC to continue generating clean, renewable hydropower. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and will continue our efforts to improve water quality and enhance recreation around the lakes.”
