Energy (Government Transparency) in Alabama

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

All energy bills

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