As the Alabama Legislature Adjourns, Environmentalists See a Silver Lining

The 2026 Alabama legislative session concluded with mixed results for environmentalists, who nonetheless noted growing citizen opposition to weak regulation and high energy prices. John Dodd of Energy Alabama highlighted the increased pressure on elected officials, indicating a slow but steady shift in the political landscape. Key legislation included the "Power to the People Act," signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey, which expands the Public Service Commission (PSC) from three to seven elected members and establishes a new secretary of energy. This change follows similar PSC elections in Georgia, where data center growth contributed to rising energy prices and spurred Democratic victories. While disappointed by the act's passage, Dodd praised Alabamians for defeating an earlier bill that would have eliminated PSC elections altogether. Another controversial bill, Senate Bill 71 or the "Sound Science" law, restricts the state from adopting environmental standards stricter than federal guidelines without direct evidence of "manifest bodily harm." Environmental advocates criticized this as limiting regulators' ability to protect public health. However, a positive development for environmental groups was the passage of Senate Bill 270. This measure directs the Public Service Commission to consider factors like additional costs passed on to residential ratepayers due to data centers when overseeing utility contracts. Data center developments, which are significant energy and water consumers, continue to emerge across Alabama despite vocal resident opposition, including a proposed campus in Bessemer that could consume over ten times the electricity of nearby Birmingham. Charles Miller, policy director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, emphasized the unprecedented public response to bills like SB 71 and the successful effort to preserve PSC elections. He expressed cautious optimism that lawmakers are beginning to address data centers' impacts, setting the stage for future actions. Daniel Tait, Energy Alabama's executive director, believes the legislative changes will have long-term effects on utility regulation, with the appointment of four new PSC members by July 2026 marking a continued battleground for utility reform.