In response to Governor Paterson’s announcement that he is calling the Legislature back to address unfinished business, statewide business groups have joined together in urging the Assembly to immediately take up and pass Energize New York. Energize New York, a long term fully sustainable energy economic development power program bill, has been endorsed by the Administration, and previously passed the Senate this session with overwhelming support. To date, Assembly leadership has refused to bring the critical bill to the floor for a vote.

This issue has risen in urgency with the already expired short term Power for Jobs, Energy Cost Savings benefits and High Load Factor Programs that were discontinued over a month ago. If the current programs expire without a long term solution passed, businesses statewide will be heavily impacted, seeing an immediate sharp rise in their electricity costs, already some of the highest in the nation. If not addressed immediately, a lapse in energy benefits, coupled with the high costs of doing business in New York State and our current economic crisis will cause catastrophic results to the state’s economy, including employee layoffs, downsizing, relocation and potential closings.

Energize New York has already received praise and overwhelming support from businesses and economic development organizations statewide. Supporters understand that a long term program will assist New York State in weaving through this current economic crisis by supporting jobs and critical businesses that sustain our economy, produce vast economic benefits to the State, allow businesses to make long term investments, and make New York State more competitive in retaining businesses to open or relocate to our State. The Energize New York bill also contains substantial retroactive language, meaning businesses would be held harmless for any high costs of electricity they may encounter during the current lapse in the preexisting short term Power for Jobs programs.

Of additional importance, the Energize New York bill has received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate, passing with a vote of 59-2, with cosponsors Senator Aubertine (D-Cape Vincent) and Senator Maziarz (R-Newfane) leading the charge. The Administration also publicly endorses Energize New York. Governor Paterson made this point known when he released his list of unfinished and important items to be addressed this week, and included Energize New York as one of these issues.

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