Energy in Alabama | MyRepTracker

in committee · Alabama · House Apr 20, 2026

HJR 242: Urging the Governor and relevant state agencies to recognize the value of spent nuclear fuel and take state actions toward its development

This bill is a state resolution that urges Alabama's governor and relevant agencies to recognize the economic and energy potential of spent nuclear fuel currently stored at the state's two nuclear power plants. It directs state officials to respond to a federal request by April 2026, proposing Alabama's interest in participating in a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus partnership to develop advanced recycling technologies for converting spent fuel into new liquid fuels. The resolution highlights existing research at Alabama A&M University and the Tennessee Valley Authority, aiming to secure federal funding for workforce development, university research, and small business innovation in nuclear technology. It also emphasizes the need to engage local industry partners and communities in developing a proposal that could support the state's energy security and economic growth.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Nuclear

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SJR 89: Urging the Governor and relevant state agencies to recognize the value of spent nuclear fuel and take state actions toward its development

This legislative resolution urges Alabama's Governor and state agencies to recognize the economic potential of spent nuclear fuel currently stored at two local nuclear power plants and to take steps toward developing it as a future energy resource. The bill specifically calls for the state to respond to a federal Department of Energy request by April 1, 2026, expressing interest in participating in Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses that would focus on recycling spent fuel into liquid fuel for advanced reactors. It highlights the potential benefits of this approach, including federal funding opportunities for universities, small businesses, and workforce programs, while noting that the uranium in spent fuel has low radioactivity and could be recycled or treated as low-level waste. The resolution also supports efforts at Alabama A&M University to establish a nuclear science center focused on liquid fuel reactor technologies and directs copies of the document to state and federal officials.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Nuclear

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 340: Public utilities; Underground Damage Prevention Program; prioritization of, liability for incomplete design or survey locates provided

This bill strengthens Alabama's Underground Damage Prevention Program by requiring utility operators to prioritize incomplete locate requests and holding them financially responsible for project delays. It mandates that operators finish any pending locate requests within 20 days before handling new ones, and imposes liability for costs if a request remains incomplete for 30 days or more. The legislation also removes the option for operators to respond to locate requests by simply providing facility descriptions or allowing record inspections, instead requiring physical marking of underground facilities. Additionally, it prohibits contract locators from closing locate requests and requires operators to verify on-site that facilities have been marked before a request can be closed. These changes directly affect utility companies, construction project owners, and design or surveying professionals who use the One-Call Notification System.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

in committee · Alabama · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 617: Solar power facilities; new facilities prohibited for one year

This bill prohibits the construction and operation of new large-scale ground-mounted solar power facilities for one year in Alabama counties that border the Gulf of America. The measure defines affected facilities as installations designed to generate electricity for off-site use or sale to third parties, excluding existing projects already under construction or operational when the law takes effect. The restriction applies immediately upon enactment and aims to protect coastal and watershed areas in Gulf-bordering counties.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 270: Electric Utilities; review by Public Service Commission of certain contracts with large load data centers further provided for

SB 270 requires Alabama's Public Service Commission to evaluate contracts between utilities and large data centers (defined as facilities using at least 150 megawatts) to ensure they recover the utility's additional "incremental costs" tied to serving these centers. The bill mandates that contracts must also promote "positive benefits" for other utility customers, such as potentially lowering costs, improving grid efficiency, or boosting local economic growth. This applies specifically to contracts with data centers meeting the 150-megawatt threshold and affects utilities, large data center operators, and all other electricity customers in Alabama. The law, effective October 1, 2026, adds new review criteria to the Commission's existing authority under Section 37-4-22.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 428: Underground wells; carbon dioxide storage prohibited unless local governing body approves, approval procedures provided

HB 428 prohibits injecting and storing carbon dioxide in underground wells (including Class VI wells) without approval from the county or municipal governing body where the well is located. It requires applicants to pay a $50,000 fee, submit detailed documentation about their experience, finances, and legal history, and undergo a 45-day public awareness period with community meetings. Local governments must consider environmental impacts, community effects (like property values), infrastructure costs, and alignment with local development when deciding applications, with a 30-day review period after public hearings. The bill directly affects carbon storage companies seeking to build such facilities and gives local communities significant control over site approvals.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

signed · Alabama · House Apr 3, 2026

HB 475: Public Service Commission; number of commissioners expanded to represent congressional districts, phase-in by election provided, term of office revised, position of Secretary of Energy established as cabinet member, calculation of electric utility rates revised; rate hearings authorized

HB 475 requires Alabama's Public Service Commission to hold annual public meetings with utility representatives to discuss rates, infrastructure, and regulatory issues, with notice complying with open meetings laws. It prohibits electric utilities from including costs for grants, lobbying, or advertising in rate calculations for customer charges. Utilities must affirm in filings that they excluded these costs, and failure to do so voids the proposed rate change. The bill directly affects electric utilities and the Public Service Commission, aiming to increase transparency in rate-setting and prevent customers from paying for non-regulatory expenses.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation Tags Government Transparency

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 531: Taxation; to exempt certain contractors from utility gross receipts tax, utility service use tax, and sales and use tax on natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.

HB 531 would exempt contractors working on public highway, road, or bridge construction projects from paying state taxes on natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used during construction. Specifically, it removes utility gross receipts tax, utility service use tax, and state sales and use tax on these fuels for licensed contractors or subcontractors under government contracts. Counties and municipalities may also adopt similar local tax exemptions for the same purpose. The bill, set to take effect on September 1, 2026, applies only to projects funded by governmental entities as defined in Alabama law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Oil & Gas Bridges Roads & Highways

passed · Alabama · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 266: Covington County; underground carbon dioxide prohibited; constitutional amendment

SB 266 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit the injection and storage of carbon dioxide in underground wells within Covington County, Alabama. This would directly affect any entity or individual seeking to use underground wells for carbon dioxide storage (including projects involving Class VI wells under federal EPA regulations) in that county. The bill requires voter approval through a statewide election to become part of Alabama's constitution, as it amends the state constitution rather than enacting immediate law. If approved, the prohibition would take effect as a permanent constitutional restriction.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

signed · Alabama · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 163: Property Insurance and Energy Reduction Act; allow financing of projects through private funding

HB 163 allows Alabama counties and municipalities to partner with private companies to fund energy efficiency projects on properties. Property owners can voluntarily agree to pay for these projects through special assessments added to their property taxes, with local governments not guaranteeing repayment. The bill removes state oversight of these programs by repealing previous requirements about loss reserve funds and regulatory jurisdiction. It directly affects local governments, private financiers, and property owners who choose to participate in energy improvement programs.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Tags Local Government

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