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Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

time10-07-2025

  • Business

Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama's utility regulators can continue to hold closed-door meetings to determine price hikes, in an apparent departure from common practices in neighboring states, a circuit court judge ruled. The decision on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy sources. The watchdog group was denied access to two meetings in 2024 where the public service commission decided how Alabama Power — the state's largest electricity provider — should adjust prices based on volatility in global fuel costs. The lawsuit argued the denial flouts both local regulations and regional norms. Montgomery circuit Judge Brooke Reid ruled against the environmental advocates in a one-page order after a hearing in June. She said the group's rights had not been substantially violated. At the June hearing, Reid said the commission's 'interpretation of its own rules should be given deference.' Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, blasted Reid's decision in a statement on Monday. 'While other Southern states have meaningful public engagement in fuel cost proceedings, Alabama Power customers will continue to be shut out of the process,' Tidwell wrote. The Alabama Public Service Commission has rules that govern how Alabama Power can change electricity prices to offset increases in fuel costs, which tend to be volatile. Those rules say that the public is entitled to hear evidence and participate in proceedings that adjust fuel costs to ensure these changes are 'just and reasonable.' The lawsuit said there have been only two public fuel cost hearings since the commission's current rules were adopted in 1981. By contrast, the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates a sister company of Alabama Power, has held at least 26 public formal fuel cost proceedings, according to the complaint. The last public meeting in Alabama was called because the 2008 financial crisis caused fuel prices to skyrocket rapidly, according to attorneys for the state commission. They argued that the commission hasn't technically initiated a new proceeding since that change 16 years ago, even though rates have been adjusted over 15 times since then, so they are not compelled to invite public input. Attorneys for the state also argued that the public has 'plenty of opportunities for input' even without public meetings, because the commission publishes monthly reports on fuel prices online, and rate changes are subject to public appeal. Alabama Power is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, which reported $4.4 billion in profit in 2024, according to annual shareholder reports. Alabama Power serves about 1.5 million of the state's roughly 5 million residents. Most Alabama residents get electricity through municipal or cooperatively owned utilities. In 2023, the average Alabama Power consumer was paying about $159 per month, compared to the statewide average of approximately $132 per month, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Alabama Power did not respond to an emailed request for comment on Wednesday afternoon inquiring about recent rates. After the ruling, Energy Alabama's executive director Daniel Tait said in a statement that the decision was 'disappointing' for 'Alabamians who have no choice but to pay the high cost of fossil fuels on their Alabama Power bill.'

Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules
Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

Yahoo

time09-07-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama's utility regulators can continue to hold closed-door meetings to determine price hikes, in an apparent departure from common practices in neighboring states, a circuit court judge ruled. The decision on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy sources. The watchdog group was denied access to two meetings in 2024 where the public service commission decided how Alabama Power — the state's largest electricity provider — should adjust prices based on volatility in global fuel costs. The lawsuit argued the denial flouts both local regulations and regional norms. Montgomery circuit Judge Brooke Reid ruled against the environmental advocates in a one-page order after a hearing in June. She said the group's rights had not been substantially violated. At the June hearing, Reid said the commission's 'interpretation of its own rules should be given deference.' Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, blasted Reid's decision in a statement on Monday. 'While other Southern states have meaningful public engagement in fuel cost proceedings, Alabama Power customers will continue to be shut out of the process,' Tidwell wrote. The Alabama Public Service Commission has rules that govern how Alabama Power can change electricity prices to offset increases in fuel costs, which tend to be volatile. Those rules say that the public is entitled to hear evidence and participate in proceedings that adjust fuel costs to ensure these changes are 'just and reasonable.' The lawsuit said there have been only two public fuel cost hearings since the commission's current rules were adopted in 1981. By contrast, the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates a sister company of Alabama Power, has held at least 26 public formal fuel cost proceedings, according to the complaint. The last public meeting in Alabama was called because the 2008 financial crisis caused fuel prices to skyrocket rapidly, according to attorneys for the state commission. They argued that the commission hasn't technically initiated a new proceeding since that change 16 years ago, even though rates have been adjusted over 15 times since then, so they are not compelled to invite public input. Attorneys for the state also argued that the public has 'plenty of opportunities for input' even without public meetings, because the commission publishes monthly reports on fuel prices online, and rate changes are subject to public appeal. Alabama Power is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, which reported $4.4 billion in profit in 2024, according to annual shareholder reports. Alabama Power serves about 1.5 million of the state's roughly 5 million residents. Most Alabama residents get electricity through municipal or cooperatively owned utilities. In 2023, the average Alabama Power consumer was paying about $159 per month, compared to the statewide average of approximately $132 per month, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Alabama Power did not respond to an emailed request for comment on Wednesday afternoon inquiring about recent rates. After the ruling, Energy Alabama's executive director Daniel Tait said in a statement that the decision was 'disappointing' for 'Alabamians who have no choice but to pay the high cost of fossil fuels on their Alabama Power bill.' ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Safiyah Riddle, The Associated Press Sign in to access your portfolio

Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules
Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

Washington Post

time09-07-2025

  • Business
  • Washington Post

Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama's utility regulators can continue to hold closed-door meetings to determine price hikes, in an apparent departure from common practices in neighboring states, a circuit court judge ruled. The decision on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy sources. The watchdog group was denied access to two meetings in 2024 where the public service commission decided how Alabama Power — the state's largest electricity provider — should adjust prices based on volatility in global fuel costs.

Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules
Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

Associated Press

time09-07-2025

  • Business
  • Associated Press

Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama's utility regulators can continue to hold closed-door meetings to determine price hikes, in an apparent departure from common practices in neighboring states, a circuit court judge ruled. The decision on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy sources. The watchdog group was denied access to two meetings in 2024 where the public service commission decided how Alabama Power — the state's largest electricity provider — should adjust prices based on volatility in global fuel costs. The lawsuit argued the denial flouts both local regulations and regional norms. Montgomery circuit Judge Brooke Reid ruled against the environmental advocates in a one-page order after a hearing in June. She said the group's rights had not been substantially violated. At the June hearing, Reid said the commission's 'interpretation of its own rules should be given deference.' Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, blasted Reid's decision in a statement on Monday. 'While other Southern states have meaningful public engagement in fuel cost proceedings, Alabama Power customers will continue to be shut out of the process,' Tidwell wrote. The Alabama Public Service Commission has rules that govern how Alabama Power can change electricity prices to offset increases in fuel costs, which tend to be volatile. Those rules say that the public is entitled to hear evidence and participate in proceedings that adjust fuel costs to ensure these changes are 'just and reasonable.' The lawsuit said there have been only two public fuel cost hearings since the commission's current rules were adopted in 1981. By contrast, the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates a sister company of Alabama Power, has held at least 26 public formal fuel cost proceedings, according to the complaint. The last public meeting in Alabama was called because the 2008 financial crisis caused fuel prices to skyrocket rapidly, according to attorneys for the state commission. They argued that the commission hasn't technically initiated a new proceeding since that change 16 years ago, even though rates have been adjusted over 15 times since then, so they are not compelled to invite public input. Attorneys for the state also argued that the public has 'plenty of opportunities for input' even without public meetings, because the commission publishes monthly reports on fuel prices online, and rate changes are subject to public appeal. Alabama Power is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, which reported $4.4 billion in profit in 2024, according to annual shareholder reports. Alabama Power serves about 1.5 million of the state's roughly 5 million residents. Most Alabama residents get electricity through municipal or cooperatively owned utilities. In 2023, the average Alabama Power consumer was paying about $159 per month, compared to the statewide average of approximately $132 per month, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Alabama Power did not respond to an emailed request for comment on Wednesday afternoon inquiring about recent rates. After the ruling, Energy Alabama's executive director Daniel Tait said in a statement that the decision was 'disappointing' for 'Alabamians who have no choice but to pay the high cost of fossil fuels on their Alabama Power bill.' ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

‘Our Planet Our Power': Earth Day and clean energy in Alabama
‘Our Planet Our Power': Earth Day and clean energy in Alabama

Yahoo

time23-04-2025

  • General
  • Yahoo

‘Our Planet Our Power': Earth Day and clean energy in Alabama

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Earth Day was founded 55 years ago by several U.S. congressmembers in response to rampant pollution. Decades later, people from all over the globe come together on Earth Day to celebrate our common home and advocate for sustainable policy. 'The environment's for everybody,' said Earth Day Spokesperson Aidan Charron. 'Doesn't matter what side of the aisle you're on, our mission still remains the same.' 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. Charron said that Earth Day is a yearly reminder that we are all connected, and our natural resources are worth protecting. 'We rely on everything on our planet,' he said. 'The clean air we breathe is dependent on how we treat our planet. The food we eat depends on how well we treat our planet.' This year, Earth Day's theme is 'Our Power Our Planet.' It alludes to the Earth Day Organization's goal to triple our use of clean and renewable energy by 2030. Energy Alabama is a nonprofit that advocates for clean energy in Madison County. Executive Director Daniel Tait says there are misconceptions around renewable energy being expensive or inefficient, but it can be more affordable in the long run. 'Clean energy, things like solar and wind, even, and wind coupled with battery storage right now are cheaper than the fossil fuel plants, like coal and gas,' said Tait. 'If you've spent a summer in Alabama, you know that the sun is quite powerful, right? And then we also have batteries and other types of technologies to store that and use it for later, when the sun's light shining, so we know how to solve these problems from a reliability standpoint and from a cost standpoint.' Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant already supplies power to several different states, but Energy Alabama's goal is to have the state rely completely on clean energy by 2050. Tait said that solar communities, or neighborhoods that draw from a communal solar grid, are a cost-effective way to use clean energy. 'It would take some legislation in order to allow that to be able to happen, but it would be a tremendously beneficial resource because it's extremely low cost and efficient and really gets the whole community working together towards the same goal,' he said. Tait and Charron said that you can celebrate Earth Day by taking steps as small as turning off the lights when you leave a room, to contacting your utilities company or representatives to advocate for clean energy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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