Alabama Lawmakers Push PSC Reforms

0:00Stay informed in two minutes or less with Birmingham News today from the Daily News Now. Lawmakers in Alabama are pushing big changes to the Public Service Commission, or PSC, which regulates utilities like power companies. Two separate bills, one from the Senate and one from the House, both clear their committees this week. The Senate version, called the Power to the People Act, would grow the commission from three seats to seven, all elected by voters in Congressional districts. The Senate bill sets up staggered terms with the governor appointing four new commissioners in July 2022 for two year terms and two for four year ones. Starting in November 2028, elections would fill six year terms. It also freezes rate hikes for three years until most seats are elected while allowing cuts any time and creates a new cabinet level energy secretary to handle admin duties. Senator Clyde Champless, who sponsored it, pointed out how Alabama's power rates have climbed from 13th lowest nationally in 2002, 28th now, and worse compared to other seven states.

1:05A PSC candidate, Brett Woodall, slammed the plan, saying expanding government isn't the fix, and it limits voters to just one seat instead of all. Meanwhile, the House bill by representative Mac Butler takes a different tack, forcing the PSC to hold regular public hearings on rate. Cases, something not done properly in decades, Butler called his reforms real accountability with consequences, unlike the Senate's government growth. Both bills now head to their full chambers for votes, amid frustration over high electricity costs, hurting families and businesses. Support for this DNN episode comes from our sponsor. Do not just fall asleep, drift into what you are listening to, S-O-L-I-SOLIPELLO.COM.