Ethics commission to weigh if PSC member can lease to solar company

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A state ethics panel will reconsider whether a member of the Public Service Commission can lease land to a solar energy company that in turn would sell electricity back to a power company regulated by the PSC.

Public Service Commissioner Chip Beeker asked for the opinion regarding the potential lease on his pasture land for the solar generation facility. The Alabama Ethics Commission deadlocked on the matter this month.

The ethics panel listed the opinion on its Thursday agenda. However, a lawyer representing Beeker said he was surprised the request was being reconsidered this week. Attorney James Anderson says he will ask the commission to wait until its regularly scheduled October meeting.

The PSC does not regulate the solar company. But it regulates Alabama Power, which might buy the electricity.

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.

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