Alabama

Alabama solar fee lawsuit moves forward in federal court

Published

2 years ago

October 3, 2024

Alabama solar fee lawsuit moves forward in federal court

A federal lawsuit challenging the fees levied on people who install solar panels on their homes will move forward, after a judge in Montgomery denied a motion to dismiss the case.

“Solar energy offers a unique opportunity for residents of Alabama to take control of their energy costs, reduce their carbon footprints, and contribute to a cleaner environment,” said Madison Naves, communications coordinator with GASP, one of the plaintiffs. “Unfortunately, however, the Alabama Public Service Commission has signed off on Alabama Power’s punitive charges that are stifling the growth of rooftop solar across Alabama Power’s territory.”

In 2021, plaintiffs, including the environmental group GASP, sued the Alabama Public Service Commission in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Alabama Power later joined the case as an intervenor defendant.

The plaintiffs argued that the PSC violated federal energy laws by allowing Alabama Power to charge fees to people who use solar panels.

Alabama Power and the PSC had asked for the case to be dismissed, arguing that the court did not have jurisdiction and that the plaintiffs did not make a claim for which relief can be granted.

But U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled against the defendants on Monday, arguing that the court does have standing to adjudicate claims made under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), a federal law designed to encourage renewable energy use.

“This case is about alleged price discrimination against small-scale solar-power production in Alabama. But the merits of that issue are not the focus of this opinion,” Thompson wrote in his opinion. “Based on the well-pleaded allegations in the complaint, the court currently finds that it has jurisdiction over the plaintiffs’ three claims under PURPA.”

A representative for the PSC declined to comment. A representative for Alabama Power did not respond to a request for comment.

Alabama Power customers who use solar panels—or any other type of additional, non-emergency power generating source—are charged a fee based on the capacity of their system. The utility previously told AL.com that this fee is necessary to cover the cost of providing backup power to those customers.

But the plaintiffs argue that these fees are discriminatory and unfair, and that they’ve discouraged solar panel use in Alabama.

“As a result, Alabama, despite its abundance of sunshine, lags almost every other state in the U.S. in customer-sited solar deployment,” the plaintiffs said in an amended legal filing in 2023.

In 2020, the PSC allowed Alabama Power to continue charging the “solar fee” and approved an increase from $5 per kilowatt per month to $5.41 per kilowatt per month. The plaintiffs then appealed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to end the fee. FERC declined to act in 2021, allowing plaintiffs to sue.

Alabama lags behind some neighboring states in solar power use. As of the second quarter of 2024, 0.85% of the state’s electricity is generated from solar power, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. In Georgia, 6.21% of the state’s electricity is generated from solar, and in Florida, 7.65% of the state’s electricity is solar.

The Southern Environmental Law Center represents GASP, as well as plaintiffs Mark Johnston and Teresa Thorne. The other two plaintiffs, James Bankston and Ralph Pfeiffer, are represented by Birmingham law firm Ragsdale, LLC. An attorney for Bankston and Pfeiffer did not respond to a request for comment.

Alabama Power is represented by Balch & Bingham.

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Alabama

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Published

10 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Photo comes via Rodger Champion of Alabama athletics

How electric could Alabama football be on defense this season?

Alabama edge updates development of 4-star inside linebacker

The answer comes down to how many players Kane Wommack can produce to affect opposing quarterbacks in the pocket.

He returns Yhonzae Pierre, a fourth-year edge rusher, following a season where he collected eight sacks (team-high), 14.5 tackles for loss (team-high), nine quarterback hurries (team-high), and three forced fumbles. Pierre will draw much attention from offensive coaches; however, the Crimson Tide has a sophomore ready to help him on the outside.

Justin Hill, a former four-star from Cincinnati, Ohio, has made it his mission to become a complete pass rusher.

Alabama edge Justin Hill (#8) is modeling his game after a former two-time Suer Bowl Champion.

3/25/25 MFB Spring Practice
Alabama Linebacker Justin Hill (8)
Photo by Kent Gidley

He provided some excitement in 15 games last year, posting 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.

Former 4-star edge “will stand out” at Alabama in 2026 season, per Yhonzae Pierre

Who is Justin Hill modeling his game after?

The 6-foot-3, 244-pounder had a good spring, and the coaching staff looks at him as someone that brings speed, power, and edge-bending abilities to harass quarterbacks. Hill mentioned to reporters after A-Day that he wants to ‘go through’ quarterbacks in generating pressure.

He also wants to pattern his game after a former two-time Super Bowl Champion.

Hill detailed the former two-time Butkus Award winner he’s emulating.

“I am watching guys like Von Miller,” Hill said. “I’m watching a lot of speed to power guys.”

Hill stated Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos as another National Football League pass rusher he is studying. Bonitto has 37 sacks and 44 tackles for loss in four seasons with the Broncos – including a career-high 14 sacks in 2025.

Miller is one of the greatest pass rushers in the history of the league. He has 138.5 career sacks, including seven seasons with 10-plus sacks.

Miller has two Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honor, three first-team All-Pro honors, eight Pro Bowl nods, and is on the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team.

Hill learned to ‘cut it loose’ as an edge rusher from Pierre, so the combination of that and studying film on Miller should prepare him to be a force in the fall.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama.
He is a seasoned writer that has covered Alabama football for Touchdown Alabama Magazine since 2009. Smith has extensive knowledge within the program, which has made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Throughout his career, Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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Alabama

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

Published

22 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.

Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.

“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.

Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.

“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”

The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.

The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.

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Alabama

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.

Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.

The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.

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