As a single mother trying to pay my bills, I am overwhelmed by the unpredictability of my electric bill each month. Even when I make efforts to conserve energy, the total amount charged can vary significantly without a clear or understandable explanation. That unpredictability makes it difficult to budget for my family and creates ongoing financial stress.

I am not alone.

Across Alabama, residents are reporting a consistent pattern: electric bills increasing even when usage remains the same or decreases. Many customers are told that electric rates have not increased, yet total bills continue to rise due to riders, adjustments, and fees that are unclear, inconsistently explained, or difficult for consumers to independently verify.

Under consumer protection principles and regulated utility standards, businesses are required to clearly disclose costs and avoid billing practices that are misleading, deceptive, or unreasonable to the average consumer. Charges that cannot be readily understood, explained, or verified may fall within recognized categories of unfair or deceptive business practices, including hidden fees and misleading disclosures.

Because electricity is an essential service and Alabama Power operates as a regulated monopoly, transparency in billing is not optional, it is a legal and regulatory obligation. When customers cannot reasonably determine how their bills are calculated or why charges fluctuate, it undermines public trust and places undue hardship on households attempting to plan responsibly.

This issue impacts a broad range of Alabama residents, including single parents, families, seniors, and retirees on fixed incomes. For many, predictable and understandable billing is critical to maintaining financial stability.

We respectfully request that the Alabama Public Service Commission, under the leadership of Cynthia Almond, exercise its regulatory authority to review these concerns and ensure compliance with applicable consumer protection and utility disclosure standards by:

1. Requiring clear, plain-language disclosure of all riders, adjustments, and fees included on residential electric bills.
2. Reviewing current billing practices to determine whether consumers can reasonably understand and independently verify how charges are calculated.
3. Providing public explanation and guidance addressing how total bills may increase despite stable or reduced usage.
4. Ensuring accountability and transparency consistent with the Commission’s duty to protect the public interest.

 
Alabama residents are asking for lawful, fair, and clearly disclosed billing practices, standards that regulated utilities are already required by law to meet.

By signing this petition, you stand with Alabama residents calling for transparency, accountability, and clarity in electric billing.

*This petition seeks regulatory review and transparency and does not make allegations of criminal conduct.*