New press release from us expressing frustration at the Alabama PSC's approval of heavy investment by Alabama Power in new fossil fuel gas power plants. Dirty, unnecessary, expensive. https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2020/08/state-energy-regulators-approve-alabama-power-s-billion-dollar-fossil-fuel

This is a long-running saga going back to the Fall, when @alabamapower said it needed a MASSIVE boost in ability to make electricity. There were hearings back in March and now the PSC has issued its final order approving nearly everything the company wanted.

What does this mean for you? During a raging pandemic, a lot of people are without work and are behind on bills. New utility expenses mean that our already expensive energy bills here in Alabama are gonna go up.

Why? Our state population isn't booming. Why so much more additional electricity needed now? Part of the reason is to pad out the backup supplies -- surplus, extra energy kept in "reserve" for "just in case" extreme weather events.

Oh, by the way, the numbers don’t add up - clean solar energy like solar is already cheaper than gas, and substantially better for you and me in the long run. Why would the Commission let a giant utility make a billion dollar bad bet on dirty fossil energy in Alabama?

The whole thing is unfair to Alabama. @SouthernCompany is making renewable energy investments in our neighboring states (GA and MS) but we get stuck with new gas plants? We deserve the savings that come with investing in clean energy. We’ve got just as much sun

So, obviously, please help us spread this message. We're considering our options for what to do next. Now is the time for more clean energy investment in Alabama and retirement of the state's three coal plants. We don't need new gas and #alpolitics as usual.