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A Little Known Agency:
A Little Known Agency:
The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) is little known branch of the state government that has an out-sized impact on our daily lives. The PSC regulates the power companies that service the people of our state.
A Failed Mandate:
A Failed Mandate:
Made up of three elected members, the PSC is tasked with keeping our power bills low and protecting the people of Alabama from powerful utility companies. The PSC has failed in their mandate. Alabamians consistently pay some of the highest rates in the country for electricity and more than our neighboring states.
Fixed Profits, No Oversight:
Fixed Profits, No Oversight:
The PSC guarantees power companies a 15% return on investment and offers little oversight to protect consumers. They long enabled power companies to avoid justifying rate hikes at public hearings.
Here Comes the Sun:
Here Comes the Sun:
The PSC allows Alabama Power to charge consumers a surcharge for the privilege of being plugged into the power grid while having a solar panel on the roof. This surcharge offsets any savings brought about by the solar panel, prevents Alabamians from taking common sense steps to lower their own power bill, and stifles innovation.
A Missed Opportunity:
A Missed Opportunity:
Alabama lags far behind other southern states in taking advantage of the abundant sunlight Alabama receives, particularly during the hot summer months, as a result of PSC enabling Alabama Power to take advantage of consumers. Removing these restrictions would enable people to take their savings into their own hands, and unlock numerous business opportunities for the people of our State.
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