U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. today praised Alabama Power following the company’s announcement that its regulated retail rates are not scheduled to increase through 2027.
“We have an abundance of riches when it comes to energy, including coal, natural gas, hydro, and nuclear power plants,” Tuberville said in a video posted to X.
“But moving forward we have to focus on cutting regulations.”
He continued, “Alabama has the opportunity to lead the nation in recruiting new manufacturing and jobs while focusing on a lower cost of living for our citizens and providing them with more opportunities for a higher standard of living.”
“That all starts with energy dominance,” he said.
According to a news release, Alabama Power will hold in place all existing factors in customer rates, including delaying until 2028 the implementation of previously approved adjustments for the Lindsay Hill generation facility.
“As part of the commitment to keeping rates steady, the company will absorb the newly acquired facility’s costs in 2027 rather than deferring or shifting those costs to a later date,” it reads.
An Alabama Power official last October told the public service commission that customers would pay about $3.80 more on their bills beginning in 2027.
However, in August an official said the increase would be a little less than that for some customers.
“I look forward to working with Alabama Power to ensure they continue to provide affordable and reliable power across our great state,” Tuberville said Tuesday.
John Dodd, policy director for the nonprofit Energy Alabama, has said the move is an election year ploy to “avoid headlines about rate increases, not a plan to improve affordability.”
“At the core of it, what Alabama Power is proposing is not a rate reduction but a deferral,” Dodd said.