- A widely shared investigation says Alabama Power customers paid the highest average residential electric bills among 100 large U.S. utilities last year, amid decades of low-transparency oversight by the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC).
- The PSC has not held a full, courtroom-style rate case on Alabama Power since 1982, a practice transparency advocates say limits public participation.
- Today (Nov. 10), Mobile County holds a 10 a.m. public hearing on expanding the Chastang Landfill—a separate but related environmental decision point many local residents are watching.
- As the nation marks Veterans Day on Tuesday, equine-assisted programs are drawing attention for helping Veterans and first responders manage PTSD and trauma—including a Virginia nonprofit featured this weekend.
What’s new today
Mobile County public hearing (10 a.m.) — The Mobile County Commission will take public comment on a proposed expansion of the Chastang Landfill’s service area and daily intake. The hearing begins at 10 a.m. at Government Plaza in Mobile. While not a power-rate proceeding, it’s part of a cluster of environmental infrastructure decisions drawing community scrutiny across Alabama.
Industry backdrop — Parent company Southern Company recently reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, citing higher electricity demand—context that helps explain why rate and profit oversight is in the spotlight.
Alabama Power’s bills and the PSC’s playbook
A new Alabama Reflector/Inside Climate News report lays out why many Alabamians are paying more than their neighbors for electricity. The story finds:
- Highest total bills among 100 large utilities in 2024, the result of above-average rates combined with top‑five residential usage. One driver of usage: roughly 70% of Alabama households heat with electricity, in part due to long-running incentives.
- Rates vs. neighbors: Alabama Power’s average residential rate last year was 16.77¢/kWh, above the national average of 16.48¢. Bordering states’ average residential rates are 15–25% lower. The report estimates a typical 1,129‑kWh bill at about $189/month—roughly $58 more than in Louisiana for the same usage.
- Within-state disparity: Alabama Power’s rates were ~46% higher than Huntsville Utilities’ average rate last year.
How the PSC factors in: The PSC hasn’t held a formal rate case for Alabama Power since 1982, instead relying on an approach that occurs largely outside public, adversarial hearings. That model has coincided with double‑digit returns on equity in recent years (about 11% in 2023), higher than many utilities that undergo regular public rate cases.
In July, a state court decision allowed the PSC to continue certain closed‑door meetings on rate adjustments, rejecting a challenge from advocates who sought more public access. That ruling sharpened debate over transparency and consumer input.
The company’s view: Alabama Power argues that prices—not total monthly bills—are the fairest gauge of affordability and points to high per‑capita usage and reliability to defend its rates under PSC oversight.
Why it matters for 2026–2030: Ongoing load growth from industry (including data centers) and extreme weather is pushing demand higher across the Southeast. Decisions Alabama regulators make now—on resource planning, rate design, and grid investments—will echo on customer bills for years.
Ahead of Veterans Day: Horses helping Veterans heal
On Saturday, Breaking Free—a nonprofit in Timberville, Virginia—was featured for its equine-assisted learning work with Veterans and first responders experiencing PTSD and related trauma. Participants build trust and regulation skills while working hands‑on with horses under the guidance of co‑founders Paul and Jenny Foltz and a licensed therapist.
“Some take weeks before they even touch a horse, but once they do, that connection just takes over,” said Paul Foltz. https://www.whsv.com
Programs like Breaking Free often charge no fees and rely on donations and grants. Federally, the VA’s Adaptive Sports portfolio includes a dedicated Equine Therapy Grants stream (FY2025 NOFO VA‑EQUINE‑25, up to $5M total awards; max $750,000 per grantee), underscoring national-level support for equine‑assisted mental health interventions. (The FY2025 application window closed July 2, 2025; awards are slated for the end of FY2025.)
What’s happening around Veterans Day: Communities nationwide are honoring service members with parades and therapeutic experiences that include horses—continuing a fall season of high‑profile rides and equine‑assisted awareness events.
What to watch next
- Follow‑up reporting on the PSC’s oversight of Alabama Power’s profits, rates, and long‑term plans; the Reflector/ICN package signals additional installments.
- Mobile County’s landfill decision timeline after today’s public hearing and how residents’ environmental concerns shape future permitting.
- Veterans Day programming: Expect more local coverage of equine‑assisted activities and Veteran wellness resources as ceremonies unfold on Tuesday.
If you need support
- Veterans Crisis Line — Dial 988, then Press 1; text 838255; or chat online for 24/7 confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their supporters.
Sources & further reading
- Dennis Pillion & Lee Hedgepeth, “How Alabama Power kept bills up and foes out to become one of the nation’s most powerful utilities.” Alabama Reflector (Nov. 4, 2025). Alabama Reflector
- Inside Climate News version of the same investigation (Nov. 3, 2025).
- “Public hearing Monday on expanding Chastang Landfill,” FOX10/WALA (Nov. 9–10, 2025). https://www.fox10tv.com
- “Southern Co beats quarterly profit estimates as U.S. power demand soars,” Reuters (Oct. 30, 2025). Reuters
- “Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules,” AP (July 2025). apnews.com
- “Breaking Free: Horses helping veterans heal,” WHSV (Nov. 8, 2025). https://www.whsv.com
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA‑EQUINE‑25 (Adaptive Sports Equine Therapy Grants) NOFO.
- Veterans Crisis Line information and access options.
