Assembly Energy Committee Chair Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster Duchess) released the following statement regarding Governor Paterson's proposal to reform Power for Jobs:

"Simply extending Power for Jobs for another year is not an option. After months of hearings and roundtables across the state, one common theme became clear; businesses need stability and predictability before committing to the investments needed to grow jobs in New York. The time has come to move forward with a permanent program.

"Last month, I announced legislation that would create the Power Solutions Program. The bill represents a synthesis of the testimony collected at a series of public hearings and roundtables held by the Assembly and Senate with participation from the Executive branch. It proposes a stable and permanent economic development program that gives the New York State the flexibility it needs to help companies effectively address their energy challenges in exchange for commitments to job growth, capital investment and energy efficiency.

"I applaud the Governor for joining the reform effort and look forward to examining his legislation once it is completed. Time is running short. The current programs are set to expire in May, making it all the more important that we work quickly and independent of state budget negotiations to reach an agreement."