A proposed bill in Alabama aims to eliminate popular elections for the Public Service Commission (PSC) and switch to an appointed board, with proponents claiming this would lower utility bills due to more experienced commissioners. The author argues against this, suggesting that “expertise doesn’t guarantee good outcomes” and that the real issue behind high Alabama power bills is a “rubber stamp” rate-setting process rather than the democratic election of commissioners. The article highlights that PSC elections are the only public voice in rate decisions and suggests the rush to end elections could be a response to recent challenges against incumbent commissioners and wins by affordability-focused candidates in other states.
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Canceling elections won’t lower Alabama power bills
A proposed bill in Alabama aims to eliminate popular elections for the Public Service Commission (PSC) and switch to an appointed board, with proponents claiming this would lower utility bills due to more experienced commissioners. The author argues against this, suggesting that “expertise doesn’t guarantee good outcomes” and that the real issue behind high Alabama power bills is a “rubber stamp” rate-setting process rather than the democratic election of commissioners. The article highlights that PSC elections are the only public voice in rate decisions and suggests the rush to end elections could be a response to recent challenges against incumbent commissioners and wins by affordability-focused candidates in other states.