John Free

The regularly scheduled monthly meeting involved the approval of minutes from the February 3rd, 2026, regular meeting and the February 17th, 2026, special commission meeting. New business included reports from utility services. The natural gas agenda covered preliminary figures for the RSSE return on average common equity for Spire Gulf Inc. and Spire Alabama Inc., noting one was within range and the other below range. A vote was required for Spire Alabama Inc.'s application regarding a special services contract change with Solution Inc. The utility enforcement division reported on railway safety, including track defects, incidents such as vehicle strikes and a derailment, and motor carrier services compliance. The electricity division presented monthly updates on rates RSC and ECR for Alabama Power Company, noting an underrecovery of approximately $60 million for ECR. An annual update to rate PAEE concerning energy payments for qualifying facilities under PERPA (Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978) was also discussed, clarifying the commission's authority only pertains to the PPA contract itself, not the building company if the facility size exceeds 80 megawatts.

The meeting covered several administrative and operational reports. The Utility Services division report addressed consumer services for electric and gas utilities, including an update on the Spire Alabama zero meter usage issue resolution. The division noted a decrease in telecommunications complaints due to reduced jurisdiction. Gas agenda items involved reporting the Revenue Requirement Staff Submitting Estimate (RSSE) results for Spire Alabama and Spire Gulf, with Spire Alabama's return being within the authorized range and Spire Gulf's being below its range. A contract for natural gas sale and purchase between Spire Alabama and JP Morgan Chase Bank NA was recommended for approval. The Utility Enforcement division reported on railway safety, noting 56 track defects and addressing four incidents, including a mainline derailment that resulted in a fatality. Motor carrier services reported lower vehicle registrations but average filings, and a household good tariff was accepted after corrections. The Electricity Policy division presented findings on Alabama Power Company's rate RSSE, showing a weighted return of 6.07% and recognizing revenue allocations to the natural disaster reserve, along with an underrecovery of approximately $31 million for energy costs (ECR). The Legal division handled multiple docket items concerning the reinstatement of motor carrier certificates for several companies that had lapsed insurance coverage, and the cancellation of one certificate.

Key discussions focused on personnel appointments. A motion was passed to provisionally appoint Mr. Luke Bentley as the chief administrative law judge, subject to state personnel requirements, and to appoint him as the commission's acting executive director pending a memorandum signed by all three commissioners detailing his duties. Additionally, a motion was made to provisionally appoint Mr. Devin Bey as secretary of the commission, also subject to state personnel requirements and approvals, and naming him acting secretary pending permanent appointment processes.

The agenda for the upcoming Commission Meeting includes reports and items from various divisions concerning January 2026 activities and decisions required for the February 3, 2026, session. The Consumer Services Report detailed electric, gas, and telecommunications inquiries for January 2026. The Utility Services Division agenda addresses natural gas rate reports for Spire Alabama Inc. and Spire Gulf Inc., and an application for approval of a Natural Gas Base Contract for Sale and Purchase. The Telecommunication Agenda includes a recommendation to cancel a certificate for CBTS Technology Solutions LLC and a tariff revision summary for Charter Fiberlink-Alabama, LLC. The Utility Enforcement Division reported on railway safety inspections, including investigations into a fatal derailment and a substantiated rough crossing complaint. Motor Carrier Services (MCS) reported on processing applications, insurance filings, and compliance with Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) for 2025/2026. The Electricity Policy Division presented a monthly examination on Alabama Power Company's Rate RSE and Rate ECR, highlighting the Weighted Return on Average Retail Common Equity for December 2025. The Legal Division agenda covers several uncontested motor carrier certificate reinstatement and transfer petitions, as well as a notice to withdraw a motion to reconsider regarding Eco-Preservation Services, LLC. Off-agenda items include unopposed common carrier applications for Alabama Capital Group, LLC and Sow Enterprise LLC. A significant off-agenda item concerns Docket 33639 regarding the Camp Hill Utility Board's failure to comply with safety regulations, recommending an initial fine and a mandatory compliance timeline.

The meeting involved several key reports and actions. The Utility Services Division reported on consumer services and noted an uptick in Spire Alabama billing inquiries related to prior zero-use meter issues, which were reported as resolved. The division also presented rate RSSE reports for Spire Alabama (9.71% return) and Spire Golf (9.44% return). A vote was taken to approve a name change for St. Joe Communications, Inc. to add DBAs associated with Consolidated Communications Long Distance and Fidium St. Joe. The Gas Pipeline Safety Division reported 50 inspections in November, leading to seven non-compliance items cited and five training sessions conducted on topics including fusion, fire response, and regulatory compliance. A state-reported incident involving the reduction and immediate correction of pipeline pressure due to insufficient materials was noted. The Electricity Policy Division reported that Alabama Power's rate RSSE for the 12 months ending December 31, 2025, was 6.49%, and rate ECR was underrecovered by approximately $13 million in November 2025. The Legal Division sought one vote for seven motor carrier items, including granting certificates to Logan Martin Moving and Delivery LLC and Rivers Ridge Moving and Labor LLC, and reinstating certificates for three entities that corrected insurance deficiencies. One certificate was recommended for cancellation due to failure to file a tariff and liability insurance. The administrative agenda included approval for pending motor carrier matters and the purchase of two new Ford Explorers for the gas pipeline safety division.