Mafia suspected of ill-gotten green

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Bill Radke: Is the mafia going green? Prosecutors in Sicily are investigating a possible link between wind power and the mob. From the European Desk in London, Stephen Beard reports.

Stephen Beard: Sicilian magistrates have launched a new investigation into organized crime. It’s called “Operation Wind.” They suspect that local Mafiosi have been building wind farms.

Concern about climate change is unlikely to be the gangsters’ main motivation. The E.U. offers generous grants for clean energy projects, and Italy has the highest guaranteed prices for green electricity.

Mark Nicholls of Environment Finance Magazine:

Mark Nicholls: You can see how it might be attractive for the Mafia. Putting up wind farms depends on getting a nod from the local officials, who obviously can be influenced, bribed or blackmailed.

The Mob’s apparent interest in wind power has not brought much environmental benefit. Several of the suspect wind farms are standing idle due to poor construction.

In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.