McNeil Talks PSC, Lawsuit to Block the Restructure, Data Centers

Sheila McNeil is the Democratic nominee for the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC), Place 2. After running unopposed in the primary, she will face either Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler or Chris Beeker in the November 3 general election.

McNeil recently filed suit against Governor Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall to block the restructuring of the Public Service Commission in accordance with HB475, passed in the last legislative session. ALPolitics.com spoke with McNeil about the PSC race, why she chose to file this lawsuit, data centers, and what her goals are if to the Public Service Commission.

We began by asking McNeil why she decided to run for the Public Service Commission.

“I decided to run for the Public Service Commission because I believe that the citizens of Alabama have needed a choice at the ballot box for far too long,” McNeil answered. “The Public Service Commission has been run by Republicans and individuals who have just revolved, and the people apparently didn't have a choice in what happens to their rates, and I thought it was important that I use the talents and the experience that I have to be able to serve the citizens of Alabama.”

We then asked about HB475, the PSC restructuring bill that passed in the last legislative session. We wanted to hear McNeil’s opinion about the bill and the process it went through in getting passed.

“That bill, to me, is bad policy,” McNeil said. “I think it's an unconstitutional power grab, and I think that the voters deserve, and the rate payers deserve better. That the process that it went through the legislature was ever evolving. We watched it along the way, and I opposed it along the way, until we got to it — one good bill, that was the original House Bill 475.”

“However, it was subsequently gutted, and the bill that's now been passed and signed by the Governor is the bill that I think is unconstitutional. It's a power grab, and I think that we can do better. I think it's important that Alabama voters just have the right to choose their Public Service Commissioners and not have them handpicked by politicians behind closed doors.”

McNeil has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama against the Governor and Attorney General to stop HB475 from being implemented. We asked her to tell us about the suit, and why she decided to bring it.

“This suit is about protecting voter rights, electoral integrity, and it's about making sure that the Public Service Commission is an entity that ratepayers can rely on when it comes to having their voice heard,” she said. “You know, it's about making sure that we put legislation in place that will help lower utility bills, and this law does not do that. It stacks the deck. It expands the Public Service Commission from three Commissioners to seven, and it also gives power to the Governor to appoint four more individuals to the Commission, and then also appoint an Energy Secretary. That just takes all the voice and the power from the people, and I think it's important that the people have a clear voice in what they pay in their utility bills.”

Alpolitics.com then asked McNeil about other policy positions she’s promoting in her campaign.

McNeil answered by saying, “First, of course, I want to make sure that the citizens of Alabama know they have a choice at the ballot. They have a choice in who can represent them and who's going to be a voice for them. Second, I think it's important that we call for a rate case review immediately once this election is over. When I win, the rate case review is going to be one of the first things I call for, so that we can see where things are, why bills are so high, and see what we can do to get them reduced.”

“The third thing I want to do is, create a ratepayer advisory council to give rate payers an opportunity to express themselves, and we can hear from them, and they'll have an active part in the process of why, of how we determine their, their rates.”

Data centers are becoming a bit-button issue in Alabama and across the nation. Alabamians are especially worried about some of the reports coming out of Georgia, where Georgia Power is using eminent domain to take their land and homes, and taking the power and water for these data centers. ALPolitics.com asked McNeil for her thoughts on data centers, and the adjacent facilities that the PSC will regulate. 

“My understanding is that the PSC’s role in data centers in Alabama is they will oversee the utility contracts and the power impact, the impact that the data centers have on the power grid,” McNeil said. “That’s going to be a very important piece to these data centers and their impact on our community. These data centers, to me, are these multi billion dollar corporations, and it's my opinion that they should pay their fair share. They should carry their own weight, just like ratepayers pay their bills. Data centers need to pay theirs. The data center should not be a burden on the community, environmentally or financially.

“I'm going to look real close at the data center projects that come before the PSC when I'm there, so that we can make sure that the State of Alabama and the citizens of Alabama are protected environmentally, but also that financially, the burden is not on the rate payer, it's where it belongs. That’s with those multi billion dollar corporations.”

We then asked McNeil for any final thoughts for the voters as we move beyond the runoff and into the general election.

“I think this election brings a unique opportunity for a new direction at the Public Service Commission, to have someone like myself with experience in public service. I've been involved in politics for over 20 years. I've served and I have led and chaired major Boards and Commissions, and I have the understanding of how these systems work. I want to use my experience to be able to serve the citizens of Alabama, work hard to get those rates down, and be a voice, be a strong, independent voice for the people of Alabama.

“Moving forward, I think this is an opportunity, but you know, if we want something different, we have to do something different. In order for us to be able to take the PCS seat in a different trajectory, I think you need some individuals who will help us move in that direction, and I think I would be a great candidate to do that,” she concluded.

Sheila McNeil is the Democratic nominee for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 in the 2026 election. A public policy professional and community leader, she has more than 20 years of experience in government, public administration, economic development, and community engagement. As the former Chair of the Madison County Democratic Executive Committee, she focused on strengthening local party organization and voter outreach. Before moving to Alabama, she served on the San Antonio, Texas City Council and held leadership roles involving transportation, infrastructure, and economic development.

McNeil earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Justice from Oakwood University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She also works as a consultant specializing in public policy, government relations, and strategic planning. In her campaign for the Public Service Commission, McNeil has emphasized fair utility rates, reliable service, transparency, and accountability in utility regulation. She says her goal is to ensure Alabama consumers have a stronger voice in decisions affecting utility services across the state.

For more information on McNeil and her campaign, visit https://mcneilforpsc2.com.