A nonprofit pushing for lower electricity costs in Alabama says a plan by Alabama Power to freeze rates for two years is an election year ploy to “avoid headlines about rate increases, not a plan to improve affordability.”

John Dodd, policy director for Energy Alabama, said the power company could simply lower rates now for customers.

“At the core of it, what Alabama Power is proposing is not a rate reduction but a deferral,” Dodd said.

In response, Alabama Power said the commission sets those rates according to formulas and the utility is not asking it to preapprove any increases.

In a notification last week to the Alabama Public Service Commission, Alabama Power proposed leaving electricity rates untouched for two years, through the end of 2027. The proposal would have to be approv

See Full Page