Alabama Governor Names Four New PSC Members, Including Its First Two Black Appointees

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced the appointment of four new members to the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) on March 15, 2024, marking a significant shift in the state's utility regulation. This expansion, set to take effect in 2027, will increase the PSC from three to seven seats, a change driven by new state legislation. Notably, these appointments include the commission's first two Black members in its 145-year history. The new appointees are John Henry Smith, a former state senator; Angela Harris, a former executive director of the Alabama Democratic Party; Christopher "Chris" King, a former mayor of Selma; and Elizabeth "Liz" Hunt, a former chief of staff for the Alabama Department of Revenue. Governor Ivey stated that these individuals bring diverse backgrounds and extensive experience to the commission, which oversees utilities like Alabama Power and AT&T Alabama. The expansion aims to provide more comprehensive oversight and representation for Alabama's utility consumers.