Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2006

Schumer Calls On Pataki To Show Leadership And Save The Power For Jobs Program

Tens Of Thousands Of Jobs At Risk And Hundreds Of Companies In New York State Could Pay Millions More In Energy Costs Without Program

Discount Power Programs Set To Expire At The End Of The Year; Legislature At A Stalemate And Governor Needs To Personally Step In

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on Governor George Pataki to step up and save the Power-For-Jobs Program. The discount power program, established eight years ago, is set to expire at the end of this year. The Power For Jobs helps over 600 companies statewide with energy subsidies.

“The Power For Jobs Program helps New York businesses compete,” Schumer said. “We need to be actively finding ways to get new jobs in New York State, not killing them with the price of power. Energy costs are skyrocketing, and without these subsidies, companies are going to shell out millions of dollars more than last year. Pataki needs to step up to the plate, show some leadership, and bring everyone to the table to find a way to save this program. This is a vital job-creating, job-sustaining program, and there is no excuse not to renew it.”

The New York State Legislature passed an extension of the Power For Jobs Program earlier this year, but Pataki vetoed the measure calling the funding mechanism unconstitutional. Schumer said that in the past, when the program has faced significant funding challenges, Pataki has stepped in and worked with the Legislature and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to find a solution. Schumer urged Pataki to lead in hammering out a three-way agreement with the legislative leaders and successfully extending the Power-for-Jobs program for another year.

Schumer said that as he travels in upstate New York businesses, especially manufacturing companies, often say they rely upon these discounts to keep providing jobs. There are many employers that struggling to stay in New York State, and ending this program could force these employers to move out of state, abroad, or to close completely. In addition, new companies considering a location in New York cite the cost of energy as one of the first deciding factors they consider. Schumer emphasized that without these specialized energy programs, New York will not be able to attract these new jobs and the new kinds of manufacturing that are heavy on technology and require significant power.

In a personal letter to Governor Pataki, Schumer wrote, “In the current economic environment, it is essential that, at every level of government, we use every tool in the arsenal to preserve New York’s jobs. I know you share my concern when a company considering New York decides to locates elsewhere, or when one of our big employers moves to another state. Allowing these programs to lapse would be a grave mistake that will impact the economic prosperity of New York for years to come. Therefore, I again urge you to take the initiative necessary to preserve these programs.”

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