ALBANY -- Susan Arbetter recently sat down with Senator George Maziarz who will likely head up the State Senate's Energy Committee next session.  The topic?  The Governor elect's energy proposals.  

It appears as if the new Republican majority in the State Senate is on board with a few of Andrew Cuomo's energy iniatives.  
 
But one them just isn't going to fly, closing down the Hudson Valley's Indian Point nuclear plants…   
 
Said Senator George Maziarz, " In order to close that plant you would see increased electricity rates…Didn't we see that with Shoreham? Yes.  And you saw increased electricity rate."   

Ironically, it was the first Governor Cuomo who shut down the Shoreham Nuclear Power plant on Long Island after it was operational for a single day.  Maziarz says the plant provides so much power so cheaply, that it can't easily be replaced.  But he and the Governor-elect are on the same page when it comes to another energy issue – Power or Jobs.
 
Maziarz continues, "It is the number one priority on the Senate side this year."
 
Last year, the State Senate & Governor Paterson agreed to a 7 year extension to the power for jobs program that would benefit industry.  One of the bill's most vocal opponents, Assemblyman Bill Parment, has retired.   
 
Maziarz said, "I think clearly with him not being there it's a positive move… he's a good man.    

Maziarz will still have to deal with the chairman of the Assembly Energy committee though, Hudson Valley Democrat Kevin Cahill.   Companies that received the power for jobs benefit will continue to receive it through mid may.