Public Service Commission signs off on automatic approval process for data center contracts with Alabama Power
The Alabama Public Service Commission approved a revised process for Alabama Power contracts serving large data centers. The rule extends the commission’s review period from 10 to 90 days but still allows contracts to take effect automatically if commissioners do not vote within that period.
The Alabama Public Service Commission approved a rule allowing Alabama Power electricity contracts with large data centers to be deemed approved if the commission does not vote within 90 days. The revised process lengthens the review period from the previous 10 days and requires Alabama Power to publicly identify the data center customer, its parent companies, the facility’s city or county, and the maximum contracted power amount.
Commission President Cynthia Almond and fellow commissioners Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker said they preferred public votes on major data center contracts but approved the automatic-approval mechanism. Energy Alabama and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office had urged the commission to require an affirmative vote on the contracts.