The likely Republican nominee for governor is also supporting a bill that would change the way Alabama’s Public Service Commission is selected.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor, said Wednesday during a call with reporters that he supports a bill currently being debated in the legislature that would move the PSC board members from being elected by the people of the state to being appointed by the governor, House speaker and Senate pro tem.
“I’ve read this bill, and it’s very simple,” Tuberville said. “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, you know—it’s for these new industries—and I want to make sure our utilities are being responsible with taxpayer dollars. 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.”
The legislation, part of a three-bill package touted as addressing affordability, would shift the board to an appointed one by 2030. It would also set certain qualifications for any person nominated to serve on the three-person PSC board, such as holding a degree or work experience in certain fields. Currently, there are no such requirements.
Additionally, Alabama’s current PSC members – President Cynthia Almond, Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker Jr. – were all appointed to start their careers. Almond was appointed in June after previous president Twinkle Cavanaugh resigned. Both Oden and Beeker were originally appointed to fill vacancies and were then later elected as incumbents.
“You know, 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,” Tuberville said. “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 PSC board and the ability to overhaul it when necessary to a similar situation with the Tennessee Valley Authority board, which President Donald Trump reorganized a few months into his term.
“I’ve seen this firsthand with TVA in the last couple of years,” Tuberville said. “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. 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.”
Alabama’s energy policies, or lack thereof, have come under attack of late from the general public, as utility costs have risen rapidly and energy bills have skyrocketed for the average family. The move to shift the PSC board to an appointed entity in an effort to address those issues, however, has drawn public scrutiny. A public hearing for the bill drew a large audience and state Democrats have latched onto the issue, despite the fact that the bill is being carried in the Senate by Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, a Democrat.
