Assembly to Take Up Temporary Power For Jobs Extender

June 2, 2010

Albany – Assembly Energy Committee Chair Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) announced that the Assembly will soon take up legislation (A.11315) to temporarily extend Power For Jobs uninterrupted through June 16, 2010. He also called on the Senate and Governor to continue three way negotiations to resolve existing policy differences that are hindering efforts to create a stable and effective economic development program for New York businesses.

““New York needs a sustainable, predictable, long-term power program that encourages capital investment and job creation. The bill passed by the Assembly meets that standard while protecting upstate households and farms,” Assemblymember Cahill said. “The Governor and some in the Senate have taken another approach. The Senate needs to pass their bill so we can work out the remaining differences.”

Power For Jobs offers employers some relief from the high energy costs. However, the program is closed to new businesses and has required annual extensions for the past five years. This extender is important to hundreds of businesses and not-for-profits that depend on this program. The temporary extender ensures that entities currently receiving benefits continue to do so, while allowing more time to negotiate a new program.

“Once the Senate acts on their legislation, I am hopeful that we can work quickly to come to an agreement on a new and permanent low cost power program while protecting the upstate residents from rising energy costs,” said Assemblymember Cahill. "In the meantime, I call upon the Governor and the Power Authority to continue the existing programs while we conclude legislative discussions in earnest."

There are many similarities between the Assembly’s Power Solutions bill and the measure supported by the Governor and the Senate leadership. One point where the proposals diverge significantly is around the question about what to do with low-cost hydroelectric power currently going to upstate residents. Unlike the Governor and the Senate’s plan to involuntarily redirect this resource away from residential customers and give it to businesses, Power Solutions provides for ratepayers to voluntarily exchange their access to hydropower in return for energy efficiency savings.

“Our plan protects upstate New York households and farms by allowing them to keep their current benefits if they so choose,” Assemblymember Cahill said. “Instead of forcing customers to give up their power, we are presenting an option to consumers who would benefit from conservation programs and providing them with resources to save a considerable amount of electricity and lower their bills for years to come.”

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