While there were critics at the recent Public Service Commission hearings speaking about Alabama Power’s “high” rates, the company refuted that contention by saying that the national average for power rates last year was 11.72 cents per kilowatt hour but just 11.09 cents in Alabama.

Supporters of the company included mayors from across the state, as well as business owners and residents, who heaped praise on the company for its dependable power delivery and quick response following disasters, such as the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak.

The company also has been a key player in state economic development wins according to Brian Hilson, president and chief executive of the Birmingham Business Alliance, citing Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Airbus and a host of other businesses that have brought new jobs to the state.

“Many would not be in Alabama today, were it not for the assistance of Alabama Power Co.,” Hilson told the commission. “They are essential to our teamwork and our collective successes in the state,” he added.

Former State Sen. Charles Steele Jr. of Tuscaloosa and a former Alabama state senator who is now president and chief executive of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said Alabama Power’s commitment to the community goes beyond keeping the lights on.

The power company officials asked the commission not to change the rates because they said they believed an overall return on investment capital is a better measurement than the return on equity.

The company under the leadership of its president and CEO Charles McCrary is a significant player in the economic progress in our state and in the recruitment of new and expanded industry to provide jobs for our future. They used to have the slogan “Always On” and that’s pretty accurate. And my observation is that if the power does go off they are there in pretty quick order to get it back on.

Let the Harvey Updyke matter rest

I read last week an AP story saying that the state is suing Harvey Updyke for a million dollars for his poisoning of the trees at Toomer’s Corner.

A hearing has been scheduled in September before Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker, III to begin the process and determine if Updyke will have to pay restitution. Updyke’s lawyer assert that the amount is “excessive’ and “over burdensome” and will result in unjust enrichment for the university.

The lawsuit also asked for financial information regarding any donations received by the university for the destruction of the oaks and revenues from the sale of souvenirs made from the salvaged wood from the trees.

Updyke, 64, is out of jail after pleading guilty to poisoning the trees. He spiked the trees with a powerful herbicide after Auburn beat Alabama in Iron Bowl Classic of 2010.

Auburn cut down the trees this spring.

Ruling on new abortion law delayed

Alabama’s new law establishing more stringent requirements for abortion doctors won’t be enforced anytime soon.

United States District Judge Myron Thompson who has the case considering a legal challenge to the new law may not be able to rule until 2014. That could be during the election process when legislators who passed the law and the governor who signed it will be seeking re-election.

The ACLU and Planned Parenthood attorneys challenging the law and the state’s attorneys defending it told the judge last week that they want the law kept on hold until at least April, 2014 in order to give them time to prepare for the case.

Bob Martin is editor and publisher of The Montgomery Independent. Email him at: bob@montgomeryindependent.com