Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced the appointment of four new commissioners to the Public Service Commission. The appointees are retired Army General Ron Burgess, telecommunications executive Fred Johnson, attorney Demarcus Joiner, and Alabama State University President Quinton Ross.

Joiner and Ross will become the first Black commissioners in the commission's 145-year history. They are scheduled to take office in January. The commission regulates utilities within the state.

General Burgess served as the 17th director of the Defense Intelligence Agency before his retirement in 2012. Fred Johnson has 40 years of experience in telecommunications and electric utilities, including 23 years as the chief executive officer of Farmers Telecommunications. Demarcus Joiner works as an associate in economic development and government relations at the Maynard Nexsen law firm's Birmingham office. Quinton Ross is the 15th president of Alabama State University and previously served in the Alabama State Senate.

Ivey stated that she selected the appointments from lists provided by the Alabama speaker of the House, president pro tempore of the Senate, and minority leaders of the House and Senate, as required by state law. She said, "For Alabama to remain the best state in which to live, work and raise a family, we need good people serving in public office, including on our Public Service Commission. I am proud to tap these four experienced leaders to serve their fellow Alabamians in this capacity. I expect these individuals to serve with honesty and integrity."

Ronald Ali, president of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, said, "That's a big step for Alabama." PSC President Cynthia Lee Almond said, "No doubt, their diverse backgrounds and experiences will prove to be an asset to the Commission. We trust everyone will share a common goal to ensure proper oversight of the utilities that we regulate while protecting Alabama citizens."

The commission approves all rate increases for Alabama Power and determines the company's allowable profit. A 2025 report found that residential customers of Alabama Power pay the highest total electric bills among the 100 largest utilities in the U.S. Joiner and Johnson's seats will be up for election in 2028. Almond's seat is not up for election until 2028.