SB360 threat, HB275 opportunity

You may be up to speed already on SB360 and HB475, but if not, here’s a brief description from Energy Alabama:

Two bills. Two very different futures for your Alabama Power bill.

SB360 — the “Power to the People Act” — sounds promising. But buried inside it is a provision giving the Governor’s hand-picked Secretary of Energy control over the PSC’s agenda and personnel. That’s not power to the people. That’s a backdoor political takeover of utility regulation. We beat HB 392 to protect your vote. We’re not handing that power to a new government official now.

HB475 is the real deal. It requires rate hearings under oath, reduces Alabama Power‘s outrageous profit margins, and bans them from charging you for their lobbying and political activities. Real oversight. Real relief.
Your legislators need to hear from you right now!

The Senate has passed SB360 and it’s in the House. If passed there, the law will require a PSC transition from three to seven elected members—but that transition will begin with four July appointments by Kay Ivey; that means a 7-0 GOP Commission at least until January. And even if Dems win both PSC seats on the ballot in November, the best we’d see until the 2028 election would be a 5-2 GOP commission.

Following are two legislative contact links provided by Energy Alabama. I urge you to spread word about the immediate need to ask House members to vote NO on SB360 and YES on HB475. Our hopes to win a 2-1 PSC majority November 3 and real regulatory change depend on it!

Please vote NO on SB360

Please vote YES on HB475