Proposed federal energy rules called "unfair" to South

ALABAMA: State Sen. Mitchell says energy proposals would hurt the South

Several Alabama legislators, including Sen. Wendell Mitchell (D-Luverne), say the proposed federal energy rules would harm the South, resulting in increased en­ergy rates and less eco­nomic development.

The legislation would require electric providers to generate a certain percentage of their energy from renewable sources. The Alabama legislators against the plan say this would allow other states to count already-provided alternative energy, such as wind and solar, toward this percentage. However, the legislation would not allow Alabama and other states to use hydro, nuclear, or clean coal already in use toward this percentage.

Legislators said Alabama does not have the climate or economic wherewithal to use wind, solar, or geothermal energy. Said Sen. Mitchell, "I hate to see us made to pay money for renewable require­ments that we can't meet in the first place."

Brian Kennedy, senior vice president for public affairs with the nonprofit Institute for Ener­gy Research, said passage would be a "tool of regional economic warfare."

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Guns in churches? Bill would allow

FLORIDA: State turns down higher rates for insurance company, so company to drop coverage

GEORGIA: State property tax cap upsets city government officials

KENTUCKY: Social service providers expect little legislation to pass in tight economy

LOUISIANA: State Department of Insurance may have been saved from total shutdown

MISSISSIPPI: Debate over how high cigarette tax should be continues today

NORTH CAROLINA: Impact of one-time stimulus money weighed

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate seeks ban on megadumps for two years

TENNESSEE: $25 million sought for coal ash spill cleanup

VIRGINIA: Three House of Delegates Republicans push for improved health care legislation

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to: info@bettersouth.org.