Cahill Pushes Power for Jobs Reform
Introduces "Power Solutions" to create jobs, boost energy efficiency & business investment

Albany - After months of public hearings across New York, Assembly Energy Committee Chair Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess), introduced legislation creating the "Power Solutions Program" (A 10053), a groundbreaking approach to help businesses meet energy needs and create jobs. Power Solutions is a sustainable, predictable, long-term economic development program that encourages capital investment by New York businesses. The bill is designed to replace the Power For Jobs and Economic Costs Savings Benefit Programs that are scheduled to expire on May 15, 2010.

"We heard time and again from businesses and economic development leaders that the current year to year approach is not working," said Assemblymember Cahill. "The Power Solutions Program provides the long term energy stability businesses need to commit to New York."

The Power Solutions Program provides significant technical and financial assistance to help meet the current and future energy needs of businesses. It recognizes individual companies have different demands and provides the flexibility necessary to design benefit packages accordingly. In order to participate in the program, businesses would be required to develop and commit to solid, long range plans for meeting energy efficiency benchmarks, capital investment goals and job creation and retention targets.

The cost of electricity has a significant effect on economic development, employment levels and decisions to retain, attract or expand businesses. The Power For Jobs and Economic Costs Savings Benefit Programs, administered by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), are economic development programs designed to curb energy costs for businesses, not-for-profits and manufacturers. The legislature has acted to extend these programs on a year to year basis for the last five years.

While these extensions maintain benefits for current participants, they keep the programs closed to new businesses. Moreover, the uncertainty of year to year extensions provides little incentive for businesses to invest in their New York operations and limits the ability of the Power Authority to plan ahead, maximize resources and administer the programs effectively.

"The Power Solutions Program will give the Power Authority the flexibility they need to help companies effectively address their energy challenges," said Assemblymember Cahill. "Keeping New York's energy costs competitive are essential to our efforts to attract and retain businesses in the global marketplace."


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