High power bills spike interest in Tuesday's Public Service Commission race

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBMA) — The Alabama Public Service Commission has been in the spotlight for the past few months when a cold snap sent power bills skyrocketing. Explanations and answers have been hard to come by for consumers struggling to pay bills $500 and higher. In 2022 the PSC approved three rate hikes for Alabama Power.

On Tuesday's ballot voters will decide between two candidates for President of the Alabama Public Service Commission: Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh and Robert McCollum. The salary for the position is $106,000. The two republicans describe themselves as conservative. There are no democrats on the primary ballot.

The PSC oversees utilities and rates in Alabama along with other duties. The three elected members on the PSC serve four year terms. The other two seats will be on the ballot in two years.

Cavanaugh has served on the PSC since 2010, taking over as president in 2012. While she has not been available for interviews sought by ABC 33/40 News over the past few months, she did join us for an interview Friday afternoon and promises another one after the election focusing on the high power bills. Cavanaugh contends she has been accessible to the media and the public.

Cavanaugh blames Biden administration mandates for the high bills. Cavanaugh said she is frustrated by the rising energy costs up 26% across the country. "It is my job to make sure the citizens of Alabama are taken care of," said Cavanaugh. She said environmental groups and liberals are trying to control Alabama. She did not offer a plan to lower power rates during our interview.

Cavanaugh cites stopping the Chandler Mtn. hydro electric project as an example of the PSC holding the power company accountable. "I said no we're not going to do that in Alabama; we are not going to displace all these people," explained Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh disputes claims by utility watchdog groups, environmental groups and candidate McCollum that the PSC allows Alabama Power a higher profit margin compared to other states. She said Alabama Power has a fair return and is one of the lowest margins in the country. "Anytime they've earned too much, it's gone back to the rate payers," said Cavanaugh.

• SEE ALSO: ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR HIGH POWER BILLS
• SEE ALSO: ABC 33/40 REVIEWS POWER COMPLAINTS

Challenger Robert McCollum ran unsuccessfully for the PSC two years ago, although he did make the runoff. He is a small business owner born and raised in Dadeville. McCollum says he has raised $3,500 in contributions for this election. Cavanaugh's contributions dwarf that totaling more than $200,000 in just the past two months of 2024.

McCollum says the way to bring rates down is to change the rate formula created by the PSC. He contends there should be open public hearings on rates like are done in other states including those for Georgia Power which is also owned by the Southern Company. "The answer is a formal rate hearing and the answer is altering that formula making sure that profit margin is matching other states," remarked McCollum.

"You look at people paying $800-$900 power bills. Some of these people are widows, families with kids on oxygen. They can't afford high power bills. We need to look out better for the citizens of Alabama and not the company," said McCollum.

The candidates also differ sharply on the fees charged by the power company to use solar. McCollum said the so called 'solar tax' should end. Cavanaugh said customers should not have to subsidize those who choose to go solar and are still attached to the power grid.

There are no democrats running for PSC President.