Binghamton – Senator Tom Libous (R-I-C, Binghamton) and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D, Endwell) voiced their concerns over the future of the Power for Jobs program in New York. The vital program provides low-cost electricity to more than 500 businesses across the state, employing more than 300,000 employees. The program expired on May 15, but was recently extended through June 2 to allow more time for negotiation on changes for a permanent solution.

"Renewing Power for Jobs is crucial for many upstate businesses and it should be done immediately," said Libous. "I want to see a Power for Jobs plan that not only gives businesses certainty and some peace of mind, but will also be fair to our upstate farmers and homeowners."

“I want to make sure that we get the best deal for businesses, agriculture and residents in upstate,” said Lupardo. “The recently announced two-way agreement between the governor and Senate leadership is bipartisan, which is a positive first step. We need the final compromise to continue providing upstate with the benefits necessary to keep energy costs down and provide upstate with much needed relief.”

A recent two-way agreement between Governor Paterson and state Senate leaders would use low-cost hydropower from the current "Rural and Domestic" energy program. This shift would slightly increase the utility bills for all residential and some farming customers of New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) and National Grid over a five year period.

New Yorkers already pay some of the highest energy prices in the country. Businesses, especially in border communities like the Southern Tier, need low-cost power to remain competitive and protect jobs.

If the governor, state Senate and Assembly are all unable to reach an agreement to extend the Power for Jobs program before June 2, it will expire and put businesses and jobs at risk. Unable to reach agreements in previous years, the program has been extended on a year-to-year basis since 2005.

Libous and Lupardo both said they want to ensure that the Power for Jobs program is extended and continues to support economic development in the Southern Tier and across the state. They are both hopeful that a final compromise will be reached in time to prevent the plan from expiring again.