Energy in Alabama | MyRepTracker

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 358: Solar farms; certain county commissions authorized to establish zoning requirements

This bill authorizes county commissions in Alabama counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico to create zoning rules for large-scale solar farms. It allows these counties to set standards for where solar farms can be built, establish permitting requirements, and determine operational conditions for these facilities in unincorporated areas. The legislation includes provisions for penalties, such as fines up to $1,000 and property liens for violations, along with an appeal process that lets affected parties challenge decisions in circuit court. Counties may also charge fees to cover administrative costs and establish exemption processes for specific cases.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 554: State Energy Supply and Chemical Trade Stabilization Act established; income tax credit, grant program, and loan program created.

This bill establishes the State Energy Supply and Chemical Trade Stabilization Act to support Alabama's energy and chemical manufacturing sectors by addressing risks from global trade disruptions. It creates three main financial tools: a grant program with up to $2 million annually for facilities to mitigate trade-related losses and upgrade infrastructure, a refundable income tax credit covering 30% of qualifying investments capped at $2 million per year, and a low-interest loan program for site development and equipment. The legislation also forms a five-member board to assess trade vulnerabilities and recommend strategies for securing supply chains, with the department responsible for implementing rules and the act taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tags Economic Development

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 618: Solar farms; certain county commissions authorized to establish zoning requirements, penalties for violations and appeal process provided

This bill authorizes county commissions in Alabama's Gulf Coast counties to create their own zoning rules for solar farms. It allows these counties to set standards for where solar farms can be built, how they are constructed and operated, and to establish penalty systems for violations. The legislation also creates an appeal process for property owners who disagree with county decisions, permits the counties to charge administrative fees, and gives them the authority to remove non-compliant structures at the owner's expense.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar

passed · Alabama · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 360: 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

SB 360 proposes expanding the Public Service Commission to include representatives from congressional districts and revises commissioner term lengths, with changes phased in by the 2029 election. The bill also establishes the Secretary of Energy as a cabinet-level position and updates how electric utility rates are calculated. Additionally, it protects unclassified employees currently appointed by commissioners from losing their jobs, requiring the Secretary of Energy to work with the State Personnel Board to transition them into classified service. These changes aim to restructure state energy and utility oversight while protecting existing staff employment conditions.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 555: Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, authorized to provide low-interest financing under certain circumstances, constitutional amendment

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to provide low-interest loans to chemical and energy production facilities operating in the state. The change would override the current constitutional prohibition against the state lending money to individuals, associations, or corporations. If approved by voters, the amendment would enable the department to offer financing under the State Energy Supply and Chemical Trade Stabilization Act. The bill requires a statewide election where voters would decide whether to adopt this change to the state constitution.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Alabama · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SJR 88: Expressing support for the United States Department of Energy's Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation endeavor

This resolution expresses the Alabama Legislature's support for the U.S. Department of Energy's Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation initiative, which seeks to establish campuses that modernize the nation's nuclear fuel cycle. The bill encourages state officials to respond to the Department of Energy's request for information by April 1, 2026, with the goal of securing a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus within Alabama. It also directs a copy of the resolution to be sent to Governor Kay Ivey to facilitate this effort. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of legislative intent to advance nuclear technology development in the state.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Nuclear

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

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

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