NEW YORK - Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday signed into law the Power New York Act, which some supporters say is arriving in the nick of time to give a jolt to state job growth.



With Congress focused so exclusively on debt reduction and budget cuts that will take money out of the economy, says Chloe Tribich, communications director for the Center for Working Families New York, Cuomo's signature could add as many as 14,000 permanent full-time jobs in New York.



"With the financial crises on the federal level and the controversy around the debt ceiling and the budget cuts, it's more important than ever that the states create policies that make new jobs and help working families save money."



As he signed the act, Cuomo spoke of the need to expand the state's energy infrastructure, which he says will create tens of thousands of additional new jobs.



The Power New York Act will also protect the health and safety of New Yorkers and their environment, says Ross Gould, air and energy program director for Environmental Advocates of New York, at a time when the federal government has become less active in that role.



"This legislation allows New York to regulate climate-altering pollution from new power plants. This is an area where the federal government has completely failed to act, with Congress being unable to pass any legislation to regulate carbon emissions."



In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions which have been linked to climate change, Gould says, the legislation also should result in improved air quality and the health of New Yorkers -especially during the dog days of summer.



The text of the bill, Assembly 8510, is online at assembly.state.ny.us.