Twenty-five large businesses, 11 small businesses, and nine not-for-profit organizations will receive reduced-rate power under the state's 1999 Power for Jobs program.

The first 1999 allocations under the program, which totaled 28,000 kilowatts, were announced February 24 by Governor Pataki.

"Another 90,000 kilowatts of reduced-rate power are still to be allocated in 1999 under this program," said Kevin Lanahan, The Business Council's legislative analyst specializing in energy issues.

"We encourage our members to develop and submit applications quickly, and we will help facilitate that process if they wish," he added.

Governor Pataki's news release announcing the first allocations estimated that they will create 615 new jobs and protect more than 19,697 jobs.

The Governor also said he will sign low-cost power extensions for 16 New York Power Authority business customers that employ 6,082 people.

"We're starting the second year where we left off in 1998-creating and preserving thousands of jobs for New Yorkers," Governor Pataki said. "'Power for Jobs' was an unqualified success during the first year, helping to create more than 7,200 jobs and protect more than 169,000 others. I'm looking forward to another outstanding year."

Power for Jobs was created in 1997 with strong Business Council support.

Originally, it set aside 400,000 kilowatts of reduced-rate power over three years. This power was to be allocated to employers that pledged to use it to create or retain in-state jobs.

The program was an instant success. In fact, all 133 kilowatts of power that were to be allocated in the first year were committed in the first five months of the program.

As a result, Governor Pataki and the Legislature, again with strong Business Council support, accelerated the third year's allocation to the first year and committed an additional 50,000 kilowatts of power to the third year of the program.