Alabama AFL-CIO endorses Sheila McNeil for PSC
Democratic PSC candidate says rising utility bills cut into workers’ paychecks and large new power users should bear their own costs
The Alabama AFL-CIO has endorsed Democratic Public Service Commission candidate Sheila McNeil, giving the Huntsville-area Democrat the backing of one of the state’s largest organized labor groups ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
McNeil is the Democratic nominee for Place 2 on the Alabama Public Service Commission. She will face Republican nominee and former State Auditor Jim Zeigler in November. Zeigler defeated incumbent Commissioner Chris Beeker in the June Republican runoff.
The Alabama AFL-CIO represents organized labor interests across the State and has a long history of endorsing candidates in State and federal races. Its mission includes improving the lives of working families and strengthening their voice in government.
McNeil said the endorsement fits closely with a campaign focused on utility costs and their effect on household budgets.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Alabama AFL-CIO and the working people it represents across our State,” McNeil said. “Alabama’s workers build our communities, keep our industries running and power our economy. They deserve a Public Service Commission that understands how its decisions affect their jobs, their families and the value of every paycheck.”
McNeil has made utility rates, reliable power infrastructure and the cost of new economic development projects key parts of her campaign.
“Every raise workers negotiate loses some of its value when utility bills keep climbing,” McNeil said. “A paycheck is not only about what you earn. It is also about what you get to keep.”
That argument also ties into a larger fight now taking shape over Alabama’s push to attract power-hungry data centers.
McNeil has previously called on the PSC to make sure large data centers and other major power users bear the infrastructure costs needed to serve them rather than shifting those costs to existing homes and businesses. She has also called for more transparency as the commission reviews contracts involving large-load customers.
“We should not have to choose between economic development and protecting ratepayers,” McNeil said. “Large new customers should pay the costs required to serve them. Public incentives should produce measurable public benefits, including good-paying jobs, local hiring, workforce training and apprenticeships.”
The endorsement also puts organized labor behind a candidate who is placing utility workers themselves at the center of her energy message.
“When people turn on a light, they may not think about the utility workers, electricians, lineworkers, construction workers, engineers and maintenance personnel who make that possible,” McNeil said. “A responsible energy policy must support the skilled workforce needed to build, operate and maintain reliable infrastructure safely.”
The PSC regulates major utilities in Alabama, including Alabama Power, and its decisions can have a direct impact on rates paid by homes and businesses. The commission has drawn far more attention than usual this election cycle amid fights over utility rates, data centers and a major legislative effort to restructure the agency.
McNeil has also made transparency and accountability at the commission central themes of her campaign.
“Alabama workers deserve fair rates, reliable service, good jobs and a meaningful voice,” McNeil said. “We can have all four.”
For more information on McNeil and her campaign, visit https://mcneilforpsc2.com.
