Across the country, families are getting squeezed. Groceries cost more. Insurance costs more. Energy costs more. Washington’s inflationary policies and radical environmental mandates have made everyday life harder for working people in red states and blue states alike.

Here in Alabama, conservative members of the House of Representatives believe our job is simple: protect Alabama families, protect Alabama jobs, and protect Alabama’s right to make decisions free from outside interference.

That is exactly what the Alabama Affordability Protection Act is designed to do.

This legislation is a conservative response to rising prices and growing pressure from Big Tech and radical, out-of-state environmental groups that see Alabama not as a home to families and workers, but as a battlefield for their national agenda.

These groups have already sent lobbyists to Montgomery and have filed paperwork to infiltrate the coming election.

Let’s be clear about what’s happening. Data centers and other massive industrial users bring opportunity—but they also bring enormous electric demand.

Without firm guardrails, those costs don’t disappear; they get shifted onto everyday ratepayers. Alabama families should not be forced to subsidize billion-dollar corporations. Our plan prohibits cost-shifting from data centers to residential customers, plain and simple.

We also believe that ratepayer dollars should go toward keeping the lights on—not padding lobbying budgets. That’s why the Act prohibits utilities from using ratepayer money to fund lobbyists.

Conservatives believe in transparency and accountability, not back-room influence paid for by working families.

At a time when utility costs are a top concern, Alabamians also deserve a seat at the table. This legislation requires utilities to hold public meetings on rates, ensuring that customers can hear directly from providers and ask hard questions before decisions are made. Sunshine is not radical—it’s conservative.

Finally, the Act provides stronger legislative oversight of the Public Service Commission. The PSC plays a critical role in our economy, and at this moment, the Legislature must reassert its constitutional authority like it can over other regulatory boards.

That oversight is more important than ever as millions of dollars in out-of-state money pour into Alabama through activist networks attempting to influence our elections and steer our energy policy.

These groups are not trying to lower utility bills. That has never been their objective. Their goal is control—over our economy, our grid, and ultimately our way of life.

Notably, the only organized opposition to this plan has come from that same environmental activist crowd. They want fewer guardrails, less transparency, and more influence from outside Alabama. We reject that vision.

This is not an easy vote. Standing up to powerful interests never is. But conservatives don’t shy away from tough decisions when Alabama families are on the line.

If we fail to act, utility rates will not magically go down because outside groups spent more money here. History shows the opposite, so we have to stop it from happening.

The Alabama Affordability Protection Act puts Alabama first. It protects ratepayers, reins in outside influence, strengthens oversight, and sends a clear message: our economy and our elections are not for sale.

We will do whatever it takes to protect Alabama families—and this legislation is a necessary step in that fight.

State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island) has represented HD105 since 2018, State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) has represented HD45 since 2022, State Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Albertville) has represented HD26 since 2022, and State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Birmingham) has represented HD43 since 2014.