Aubertine aims at Power for Jobs

Power for Jobs may have a new incarnation, if bills in the state Assembly and Senate are approved.

The program rewards with reduced electricity bills companies that create or retain jobs. Run by the New York Power Authority, the program is due to expire May 15.

State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, introduced a bill to create a permanent program, dubbed the Economic Benefit Power Program.

"It adds stability, which is needed," he said. "Any business that might take advantage of Power for Jobs will know they're in the program for the next seven years."

Power for Jobs has been renewed annually by the state Legislature for the last five years, sometimes with considerable difficulty. The program had 570 customers that saved about $10 million per month on electricity in 2009.

Under Sen. Aubertine's proposal, Power for Jobs would be renewed through June 30, 2011, and then the new permanent program would start.

The bill also includes an option for evergreen renewal that would allow businesses to extend their contract any year to the full seven years.

If a business no longer qualified or backed out, the board would be able to reallocate that power, which the New York Power Authority now is not allowed to do.

"It increases the ability to keep all the power they have available to businesses," Sen. Aubertine said.

The bill adds criteria for businesses to be considered for the program. In addition to the job creation and retention required under Power for Jobs, the new program would consider capital investment, regional economic impact, quality of created and retained jobs, relative cost of electricity on the business's operation, impact of service on the community, prior performance in economic development programs and previous energy efficiency investments.

The existing Economic Development Power Allocation Board would remain in place to determine eligibility and enroll employers in the new program, but its membership would jump from four to nine.

Sen. Aubertine's bill also would keep residential customers who are eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program on the Rural and Domestic Power allocations, reducing their electricity bills. Under that program, investor-owned utilities buy low-cost Rural and Domestic Power from NYPA, then pass the savings on to residential customers.

Meanwhile, Assembly Energy Committee Chairman Kevin A. Cahill, D-Kingston, has proposed a bill to create the Power Solutions Program, also a permanent replacement for Power for Jobs. It would add 150 megawatts to the program.

"We heard time and again from businesses and economic development leaders that the current year-to-year approach was not working," Mr. Cahill said in a press release.

Under Assemblyman Cahill's proposal, businesses would enter seven-year contracts with a mid-contract compliance review that would determine eligibility for a subsequent award. Businesses would have to undergo energy audits and follow through with energy efficiency measures.

Residential customers would have access to an energy efficiency program instead of the rural and domestic power program. The savings should be at least as much as those customers receive now, Mr. Cahill's release said.

Mr. Aubertine said he expects a few other proposals for a Power for Jobs replacement, but he believes they could be reconciled if needed.