Alabama Rep. Mack Butler's Bill on Electricity Rates

0:00On March 20th, here's the latest out of Birmingham. Alabama State Representative Mack Butler from Rainbow City has pushed House Bill 475 to tackle skyrocketing electricity rates in the state. The bill requires the Alabama Public Service Commission to hold public rate case hearings every three years, forcing utility companies like Alabama, power to open their books and justify costs to customers. Earlier this week, Butler appeared on a mobile radio show to explain the push. It all started with a leaked phone call between an Alabama power lobbyist and an energy group official, discussing plans to shift the commission from, elected to appointed members, which raised alarms about less accountability. That conversation sparked outrage among lawmakers and everyday ratepayers frustrated with high bills in lack of oversight. Butler's bill aims to fix that by mandating public input, raining in expenses like lobbying costs paid by customers and allowing impeachment of commission members who skipped their duties.

1:00On top of transparency, the measure caps utility returns on equity at the regional average, well below what investor-owned companies have pocketed, lately, this should help keep rates in check without stifling operations. The bill cleared the Alabama House on Tuesday and now moves to the Senate, where it could bring real relief to households feeling the pinch from, rising power costs.