Economic Development Power Allocation Board home page

About EDPAB
The New York State Economic Development Power Allocation Board (EDPAB) helps make possible allocations of lower cost electricity to businesses expanding in New York State or those that might otherwise be at risk of closing or leaving the state.

The four-member board consists of two appointees of the Governor, one appointee of the Majority Leader of the Senate and one appointee of the Speaker of the Assembly. The board was established by the 1987 law creating the Economic Development Power program. EDPAB reviews applications and make recommendations for allocations to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) from two power programs administered by the Authority: Power for Jobs and Economic Development Power. Together, the programs help to protect more than 400,000 jobs at hundreds of enterprises around the state.

Power for Jobs
In July 1997, then-Governor George E. Pataki and the State Legislature approved the Power for Jobs (PFJ) program to provide 400 megawatts (mw) of economical electricity for businesses and not-for-profit corporations that commit to create or retain jobs in New York. Under the terms of the program, qualified participants receive power from the Power Authority under a sale-for-resale agreement, whereby the Power Authority provides the power to the customer’s local utility which in turn delivers it to the customer. Job commitments are contained in separate contracts enforceable by the Power Authority.

The program has been amended by the State Legislature and the Governor a number of times to accelerate power allocations, provide additional megawatts for qualified participants and to extend the program benefits. In 2004, provisions were approved to give customers whose contracts were set to expire the choice between receiving an “electricity savings reimbursement” rebate or a power contract extension. Only existing PFJ customers were made eligible for extended benefits. In 2005, the State Legislature and the Governor approved extension of PFJ benefits until December 31, 2006 and subsequently extended them to June 30, 2007.

Under the Power for Jobs program, EDPAB evaluates applications on a competitive basis and recommends allocations to NYPA’s trustees for their approval. All of the power under the Power for Jobs program has been fully allocated and we are no longer taking applications.

Power for Jobs has helped over 700 companies make the transition to the newly deregulated electricity marketplace in New York State. Large and small businesses as well as not-for-profit organizations throughout the State have had the opportunity to secure low-cost power in exchange for keeping or creating new jobs in New York. The program is linked to nearly 300,000 New York State jobs.

Economic Development Power
Established by state law in 1987, the Economic Development Power (EDP) program has helped 100 businesses in the state create or protect approximately 100,000 jobs. EDPAB evaluates EDP applications on a competitive basis and recommends allocations to the Power Authority’s trustees for approval. Unlike the 3-year power contracts allowed under Power for Jobs allocations, Economic Development Power contracts range from 5 to 15 years. Typically, allocations are tied to business expansions and, like Power for Jobs, successful applicants must continue to demonstrate they are meeting their job commitments.

For more information
Send e-mail to edpab@nypa.gov or call 888-562-7697. You can also find economic development information on the NYPA Home Page at www.nypa.gov.

For additional information on New York State and its services, agencies and activities, visit the New York State Home Page and New York State Government Information Locator.