Power for Jobs Update

June 29, 2009
Despite last week’s announcement of an “agreement” to extend Power for Jobs for eleven months, the Administration and Legislature are still working off three separate proposals.  Three-way discussions continue on this bill, and a final agreement could be reached at any point. Thus far:

  • The Administration has put in a fairly straightforward one-year extension, with a provision that allows them to redistribute any relinquished PFJ allocations based on current statutory criteria.  It has yet to be introduced.
  • The Senate has told us they are putting in an 18 month extender bill, through the end of 2010; and at this point in time, are not planning on proposing a longer term replacement program bill.  Bill language is not yet available.
  • The Assembly has circulated a draft bill that extends the programs through May 15, 2010, and imposes a new energy audit/energy conservation mandate on most NYPA business customers, including Power for Jobs, Economic Development Power, as well as expansion, replacement and preservation power customers.  These audit/conservation programs apply to electric and non-electric energy consumption.  This draft presents very ambiguous language as to what participants are obligated to commit to in their efficiency programs.  We have expressed our concerns to the Assembly.

Please feel free to contact Ken Pokalsky for further information, or with any questions or comments on these proposals.