MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Senate unanimously approved a proposal this week that would significantly restructure the state’s Public Service Commission, expanding the number of regulators who oversee utilities and electricity rates.
Senators voted 32-0 to pass Senate Bill 360, known as the Power to the People Act. The legislation would expand the three-member commission to seven members. Under the proposal, commissioners would eventually be elected from Alabama’s seven congressional districts rather than statewide.
Supporters say the goal is to give voters across the state a stronger voice in how utilities are regulated.
“When people are elected by the people, you become responsive to the people,” said Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, the bill’s sponsor.
The Public Service Commission regulates many of Alabama’s utilities and oversees decisions that can affect electricity rates across the state.
The legislation comes after controversy earlier this session over a proposal that would have replaced elected commissioners with appointed regulators. Lawmakers ultimately rejected that idea and instead moved forward with a plan that maintains elections for the commission.
“That’s why I was adamant, and our body was adamant that we were not going to go to appointed positions,” Chambliss said. “We want elected positions so they would be responsible to the people.”
In addition to expanding the commission, the bill would create a new Secretary of Energy position appointed by the governor to oversee administrative operations of the commission and its staff. The secretary would help set meeting agendas but would not have a vote on commission decisions.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, said the proposal is intended to create a structure that could ultimately help lower energy costs.
“I feel confident that this will reduce rates,” Gudger said. “The commissioners that will end up being elected are going to make the right decisions for the people of Alabama.”
Democratic Minority Leader Bobby Singleton said lawmakers from both parties worked together to shape the proposal.
“I think that the state of Alabama is going to see that we did the right thing,” Singleton said. “We made sure that all of the people of the state of Alabama have a voice.”
The bill now moves to the Alabama House, where lawmakers are considering their own proposal to reform the Public Service Commission. House leaders have indicated there could be an effort to combine elements of the two plans.
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