Utility reform legislation gets endorsement from Tuberville

Legislation that would eliminate elections for the Alabama Public Service Commission and protect Alabamians from rising utility costs has gained an endorsement from Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the front runner to serve as Alabama’s next governor.

The 2026 Utility Reform Package also includes protections ensuring large-load data centers like Bitcoin mining companies are financially responsible for all infrastructure and grid updates they require.

The legislation would require annual public meetings on utility rates and costs, and reforms preventing the use of ratepayer funds for lobbying or political activity.

Alabama Republican Party Acting-Chair Joan Reynolds praised the efforts of several Republican legislators for leading bipartisan work to rein in rising utility costs. The utility reform package is being advanced through the legislature by State Sen. Lance Bel, State Sen. Andrew Jones and State Representatives Chip Brian and Leigh Hulsey.

Supporters of the utility reform package point out that Alabama is one of only 10 states that still elect Public Service Commission seats.

In a pool media call last week, Tuberville said any Public Service Commission members who fail to keep utility rates down ‘need to go immediately.’

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,” Tuberville said.

The need to rein in utility rates is seen as a major allied in recruitment and expansion of industry in Alabama.

The Utility Reform Package contains three bills, with one restructuring the Public Service Commission and two addressing data centers, often the largest electricity consumers in the service area.