US EditionAlabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules
ALABAMA, JUL 8 – Judge rules public input is not required for fuel cost decisions, with the commission having adjusted Alabama Power's Rate Energy Cost Recovery at least 16 times since 2000.
- On Monday, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Brooke Reid upheld the PSC’s authority to set fuel rates without public input, denying Energy Alabama’s appeal.
- Judge Brooke Reid ruled Monday that the Alabama Public Service Commission can set fuel rates without allowing public input, denying Energy Alabama’s appeal after two previous refusals.
- Judge Reid found no rights violations or evidence issues, noting only two fuel cost hearings since 1981 compared to Georgia’s 26.
- The judge upheld the PSC’s authority to set fuel rates without public input, leaving ratepayers excluded from decisions and critics disappointed.
- The Southern Environmental Law Center has not decided whether to appeal the Monday ruling, which affects 1.5 million Alabama Power customers paying higher bills than the state average.
19 Articles
19 Articles
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 wher…
PSC issues new broadband rules despite objections from utilities
West Virginia utility regulators have handed down a new order aimed at fixing the state’s largest roadblock to broadband: the fight over aging poles. Last month, the West Virginia Public Service Commission established new annual reporting requirements for utilities and created a new database for pole information. The statewide database will track the condition of utility poles, including their age, height and location. That information could h…
Alabama Live
Dothan EaglePSC doesn’t have to hear from public on Alabama Power fuel costs, judge rules
A judge has ruled that the Alabama Public Service Commission does not have to allow public input when deciding how much Alabama Power can charge customers for fuel costs.“This is a disappointing outcome for Alabamians who have no choice but to pay the high cost of fossil fuels on their Alabama Power bill,” said Daniel Tait, executive director of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy. “Citizens deserve a seat at the tabl…
Judge: Public Service Commission can decide Alabama Power price hikes behind closed doors
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 has 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 co…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
