SB52 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Electric utilities, transmission facilities, existing suppliers authorized to construct add'l facilities connecting with other electric suppliers, appeals of disputes, Energy Security Act of 2015, Sec. 37-4-150 added
Summary: SB52 gives incumbent electric utilities in Alabama the right to build, own, operate, and maintain new transmission facilities connecting to their systems, with dispute resolution and a sunset.
What This Bill Does
It lets incumbent electric suppliers construct, own, operate, and maintain new transmission facilities and upgrades that connect to their own systems. If two or more incumbent suppliers are involved, the facility may connect to all of their systems and each supplier's rights are allocated proportionally unless they agree otherwise in writing. Disputes over these rights can be brought to the circuit court for resolution, and waiving these rights requires an order from the Public Service Commission. The act includes definitions of key terms, a sunset date, and a requirement for a study committee to report to the Legislature by January 1, 2023.

Who It Affects
Incumbent electric suppliers (utilities serving retail customers in Alabama) gain the right to construct, own, operate, and maintain new transmission facilities and upgrades that connect to their systems.
When multiple incumbent suppliers are involved, their rights to a shared facility are allocated proportionally unless they have a written agreement stating otherwise.
Non-jurisdictional electric suppliers (municipalities, cooperatives, and similar entities not under PSC authority) are largely unaffected and not subject to PSC control for these rights.
State bodies and courts (the Alabama Public Service Commission for waivers and circuit courts for disputes) will oversee and adjudicate these rights as described.

Key Provisions
Adds Article 7 to Chapter 4, Title 37, giving incumbent electric suppliers the right to construct, own, operate, and maintain new transmission facilities that connect to their systems.
Allows two or more incumbent suppliers to address a situation where a new facility would connect to multiple systems, with each supplier’s rights allocated proportionally unless otherwise agreed.
A utility may not waive its right to construct such a facility that would connect to its system unless the Commission orders a waiver.
Disputes between incumbents over these rights may be brought to the circuit court for resolution.
Defines key terms used in the act (Commission, electric transmission facility, incumbent electric supplier, non-jurisdictional electric supplier, and utility).
Sunsets the section on July 1, 2023.
Requires a committee to be appointed by July 1, 2022 to study the act and report to the Legislature by January 1, 2023.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Utilities