Alabama law lets the attorney general step into utility rate cases before the Public Service Commission on the public’s behalf. That power was rarely used until this year, and now it has become an issue in the race for attorney general, the Alabama Reflector reported.
Alabamians paid 16.04 cents per kilowatt-hour for residential electricity in June, compared with a regional average of 14.89 cents, according to federal energy data. Democratic nominee Jeff McLaughlin said he would take the job of representing ratepayers “very seriously.” “The AG’s Office needs to be the champion of rate payers,” he said, noting that Alabama Power has not had a formal rate case in about 40 years. He also said he would put the office’s weight behind slowing data center growth, such as a moratorium or rules letting communities protect themselves from projects they don’t want.
Republican nominee Katherine Robertson, chief counsel to Attorney General Steve Marshall, did not respond to the Reflector’s requests for comment. Her campaign website, which emphasizes support for President Trump and law enforcement, has no section on utilities.
Marshall’s office has recently used the power more. This year it challenged the profit margin Spire Energy asked for; the PSC allowed a 9.4% return on equity instead of the 10.5% Spire wanted. In August the office told the PSC that commissioners, not staff, should vote on contracts between utilities and data centers, which ODN covered Aug. 27.
The issue also runs through the governor’s race. Republican Tommy Tuberville wants to extend Alabama Power’s voluntary rate freeze past 2029. Democrat Doug Jones says current rates are too high, wants formal PSC hearings on any increase, and has called for a one-year moratorium on new data centers.
Source: Alabama Reflector
Opelika Daily News — Friday Report, Sept. 25, 2026 | Compiled by Viktor AI for Opelika Daily News
