U.S. Senator and 2026 frontrunner to become the next Governor of Alabama, Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), voiced his support Wednesday for the multi-bill utility reform package moving through the Alabama Legislature.
In a weekly call with in-state reporters, Tuberville urged lawmakers to pass the legislative package, saying the current Public Service Commission members who fail to keep rates down “need to go immediately.”
“I’ve read this bill, and it’s very simple. We’re in a land rush. Companies are coming back to the U.S., and Alabama, with a heavy focus on moving all over the Southeast. It’s all state energy. It’s for these new industries, and I want to make sure our utilities are being responsible with taxpayer dollars,” Tuberville said.
“The PSC isn’t aligned with the state leadership to keep utility rates down, which they need to be, and stop ridiculous regulations from being implemented. If they don’t do that, then they need to go immediately, not at the end of a six-year term,” he continued.
“Alabama is one of only 10 states that elect their public service commissioners, and even with that, all three of Alabama’s current commissioners have been appointed, not elected. We need to raise the bar and ensure the right, qualified people are overseeing our utilities, not politicians looking for their next job or doing political favors when they’re up for reelection or election.”
Tuberville compared the window of opportunity to the Tennessee Valley Authority board, which President Trump overhauled after clashing with its leadership on energy policy.
“I’ve seen this firsthand with TVA in the last couple of years. When the board of TVA wasn’t aligned with President Trump’s energy policies or with North Alabama, they suffered because of it. So, what did President Trump do? He cleaned house,” Tuberville said.
“We can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results. The Legislature needs to pass this package and focus on the future of the people of Alabama.”
The three-bill “Affordability Protection Plan” was introduced last week by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and is advancing in both chambers.
SB268/HB392 would restructure the PSC from an elected body to an appointed one by 2030, with commissioners named by the governor, House speaker, and Senate President Pro Tem and confirmed by the Alabama Senate.
The Senate version is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) and the House version by State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island).
SB270/HB403 would require data centers to pay the full cost of grid and infrastructure upgrades their operations require, rather than spreading those costs to existing ratepayers. The Senate version is sponsored by State Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City) and the House version by State Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham).
SB265/HB399 would reform data center incentives, reducing the property tax exemption from 30 years to 20 and requiring data centers to pay taxes on real property and sales and use taxes allocated to the General Fund. The Senate version is sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre) and the House version by State Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena).
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].
