Brooklyn's Progress
September 2002

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that he has signed into law legislation to continue the highly successful Power for Jobs program, which is now linked to about 300,000 jobs at hundreds of businesses and not-for-profit organizations throughout New York State. "Power for Jobs has been an important catalyst for job creation and protection since we initiated the program in 1997," said Governor Pataki. "The low-cost power provided by the program is an effective way to help New York enterprises keep and create jobs in the Empire State." Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "The Power for Jobs program has proven that low-cost power can be an aggressive tool for us to lower energy costs to protect and create jobs. Continuing this successful program will further help us compete with other states and bolster our efforts to encourage companies to stay and grow in New York." Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "Power for Jobs is a direct response to what the business community consistently cites as major impediment to job growth. I applaud Assemblyman Paul Tonko for his efforts to promote this program that has helped to retain and create hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout New York since 1997." The legislation, which the Governor proposed in March, will create a new "Phase Five" of the program and make available 183 megawatts (mw) of Power for Jobs electricity. The extension of the program will enable employers with expiring Power for Jobs contracts to apply for new allocations. Any remaining power may be allocated to new applicants. Under the new law, "Phase Five" allocations are authorized through December 31, 2005. The new law will also further develop the competitive marketplace for electricity. Power for Job customers with expiring allocations will have the option of choosing an alternative retail supplier of their electricity. In return for 10-to-25-percent savings on electricity bills, employers awarded Power for Jobs allocations must commit to add or protect jobs. The New York Power Authority (NYPA), which administers the program, periodically reviews employment levels to determine if job commitments are being met. To date, Power for Jobs customers have achieved an overall average of about 105 percent of their total job commitments. Senator Jim Wright said, "As Chair of the Senate Energy Committee, I am pleased to have worked with the Governor to secure this most recent extension. The Power for Jobs program has been a great success since its inception. Literally thousands of jobs have been protected or created by providing low cost, reliable power to New York's employers who are committed to doing business in our State." Assemblyman Paul Tonko said, "As the originator of the successful Power for Jobs initiative, it is gratifying to see this program extended. At the same time, I will continue to push for further expansions so that all businesses and not-for-profits can continue to benefit from this effective, job creating program." NYPA Chairman Louis P. Ciminelli said, "The New York Power Authority is proud of the success of Power for Jobs. The new law will enable Power for Jobs to continue to energize the economy of New York State." More than 700 companies and not-for-profit organizations currently receive Power for Jobs electricity, including large and small businesses, hospitals, colleges and cultural institutions. Power for Jobs allocations are reviewed by the Economic Development Power Allocation Board (EDPAP). Allocations recommended by EDPAB must subsequently be approved by the Trustees of the Power Authority. The original Power for Jobs legislation, which was conceived as a means of bridging the transition to competition in the state's electricity marketplace, provided for 400 mw of lower-cost power. Additional megawatts were provided under legislative amendments in 1998 and 2000.