During an interview with Mobile radio's FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," Public Service Commission (PSC) candidate and Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry spoke about Alabama's utility rates and the need for a thorough review of the PSC.
While on the campaign trail, Gentry said he's heard concerns that the PSC hasn't lowered rates.
"It is the job of the Public Service Commission to either increase rates or decrease rates. The thing that I've heard on the campaign trail is that the PSC has not been decreasing anything," Gentry said. "It's their job to do an overall review of what's going on."
"I'll give you an example. I was elected sheriff in 2014 when I was 35 years old. Within the first month of us taking office, I did an overall review of our organization," he noted. "We found out that we were paying for cell phones that were not even connected to one of our deputies. It saved us $12,000 a month, just by doing an overview. That's what needs to happen at the PSC. Go in, do an overview, and look at it, and say, OK, this is where we're at in other states. This is where we're at in Alabama with our utility rates. This is what we need to do to help our citizens to make it better. I think that's got to happen, because it's not been happening for the last decade."
Earlier this week, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill (HB475) sponsored by State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Gadsden) that would require the Public Service Commission to hold regular public rate case hearings every three years. Gentry said he supports the hearings to increase public transparency.
"What rate hearings do is bring transparency in a way that the numbers and the figures are brought out so you can evaluate and say this is where we're at. It's just an evaluation system that we need, so everybody knows what's going on. In government, you have to be transparent. You have to tell people what's going on and how you're dealing with it. With these rate hearings, we've not had one in about 40 years. You need to look at it now. You need to protect everyone, because you don't want to open things up for civil liability and those issues that you face."
The sheriff discussed changing the PSC from three to seven members and the possibility of creating an energy secretary, as provided in legislation sponsored by State Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville).
"I personally think if you have three people who have the right mindset to do what's right for the citizens, it's enough," argued Gentry. "Now, if the people want seven congressional districts where everybody in that congressional district has a voice, then you know, I'm always about what the people want to do."
While Gentry said change is good, he cautioned that significant modifications to the PSC should not be made in a hurry.
"My personal opinion is, don't rush into changing something that's been around since 1915 in a hurry. Let's evaluate it, and let's make the right change," posited Gentry. "I'm willing to do whatever to make this state successful. With regards to changes at the Public Service Commission, I think change is good. As Sheriff, I'm always looking at changes to make things better. And I support change at the Public Service Commission if we see ways that can make it better, whether it's adding seven or an energy director, but we need to sit down and evaluate it, not being in a hurry to do something that can have a long-term impact."
"I'm always about, let's look at it, develop an appropriate plan, and let it be the voice of the people in that plan," he added.
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