On Wednesday, Jimmy Parnell, President of Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), endorsed the bipartisan utility reform package advancing through the Alabama Legislature.
“We appreciate the bipartisan efforts of the Legislature to ensure energy remains affordable for Alabama farmers, families and businesses,” Parnell said. “Our state is blessed with reliable energy resources and a growing economy. Energy is vitally important to agriculture and forestry. These bills will ensure our members have access to the power they need and regulatory decisions are not influenced by out-of-state groups who are not accountable to voters.”
The Federation joins a broad list of endorsements for the three-bill “Affordability Protection Plan,” including U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), ALGOP Chair Joan Reynolds and Governor Kay Ivey, along with many others.
SB268/HB392 would restructure the PSC from an elected body to an appointed one by 2030. SB270/HB403 would require data centers to pay the full cost of grid and infrastructure upgrades their operations require. SB265/HB399 would reform data center incentives and reduce the property tax exemption from 30 years to 20.
The House versions passed committee on Tuesday. The Senate versions were referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development.
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may email him at [email protected].
