Hidden Tax on utility bills?

Since 2022, candidates for the Alabama Public Service Commission have discussed a topic called the hidden tax at the PSC. Candidates made statements that the PSC charges a tax on the ratepayers on their power bills and said that the money is sent to the general fund to pay for travel and legislative projects in the state. They have said the PSC uses the money to pay for their travel to different events. Supposedly this tax adds up to millions and millions of dollars a year. This is nothing more than a political lie candidates may use to sway voters.

Here are some facts, there is no such thing as a hidden tax at the Alabama Public Service Commission. What candidates call a hidden tax is really called overage charges. Candidates just say tax because it sounds better to voters. A Lot of what the PSC has passed in the last 4 years was out of their control; it was due to the failed energy policies of the Biden Administration. Fuel costs went up obviously there had to be an adjustment in rates due to rising costs. The Alabama Public Service Commission is not a constitutional body but in fact a legislative body so they have to follow the guidelines set forth by the Alabama legislature.

The fact that it amounts to millions and millions of dollars though is utterly an exaggeration. That number would only amount to maybe $4-$5 dollars per household. The fact that candidates say the PSC has taken $33 million dollars from ratepayers through the fake hidden tax is utterly false. In the times of the failed Biden Administration and their failed energy policies our PSC Commissioners found a way to provide Alabama ratepayers with over $200 million in rebates since 2020. So we should be thankful that we have one of the most conservative Public Service Commissions in the entire United States.