POWERING NEW YORK’S FUTURE: Oswego Roundtable

Sen. Aubertine Continues Public Discussion of Low Cost Power for Economic Development Programs in Oswego

OSWEGO (October 6, 2009)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine hosted the third roundtable and fourth overall public discussion of New York State’s low cost power economic development programs in a conference room at Rich Hall on the SUNY Oswego campus.

 “This is about listening to the ideas of businesses, not for profits, trade organizations and others impacted by these programs to garner their input first, before we draft legislation,” Sen. Aubertine said. “The Senate Energy Committee, the Senate, and our colleagues in the Assembly want this to be an open process to best use our resources to create jobs.”

The roundtable featured around 20 participants who shared their thoughts on the future of the state’s economic development programs as part of the ongoing “Powering New York’s Future” initiative. This joint venture by the state Senate and Assembly Energy Committees is intended to gather input from stakeholders to craft legislation that will improve programs used to create and sustain jobs.

“What we’ve heard from businesses is a desire to see us create a long term program in place of having to renew these programs year after year,” Sen. Aubertine said. “Whether that is five, seven or even ten years, that’s what we’re working on determining. Businesses need certainty to make investments and that’s what we want to accomplish here. At the same time, we’re looking to use the state’s resources most efficiently, promote conservation and rebuild our economy here in Oswego County and throughout the state.”

Previous roundtable discussions were held in Buffalo and in Uniondale on Long Island, and a public hearing was held in Niagara Falls. The Senator will take part in three more roundtables—Syracuse, Kingston and Massena—before a second and final public hearing in Albany.

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