Twinkle Cavanaugh refuses to interview with ABC 33/40 regarding power bill complaints - Alabama's News Leader

Twinkle Cavanaugh refuses to interview with ABC 33/40 regarding power bill complaints

Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh is refusing to answer questions from ABC 33/40 ahead of the Alabama primary election.

ABC 33/40 has been working to get answers regarding your concerns about high power bills customers shared with us.

Prior to the Alabama Public Service Commission's last meeting ABC 33/40 requested an interview with Commission President Cavanaugh. That request was denied.

But we didn’t give up.

Twinkle Cavanaugh initially agreed to be interviewed on Feb. 12, but her office canceled the day before saying the commissioner was ill.

That interview was rescheduled for Feb. 20. But ABC 33/40 was informed once again that Cavanaugh was canceling the interview because she is too busy.

Cavanaugh is preparing for the March 5 election to retain her seat on the PSC. But her office made no indication that the cancelation was connected to the campaign.

ABC 33/40 asked for 10 minutes of Cavanaugh’s time. We offered to meet Cavanaugh any day at any time and even offered to do the interview over teleconference. We were told Cavanaugh prefers to interview in person.

Cavanaugh’s bio includes the following statement:
I call myself the working commissioner because I am at work every day striving to keep Alabama’s utility rates some of the lowest in the nation. Please do not hesitate to contact me if i can be of service to you. If you would like to schedule a meeting with me, please fill out the scheduling request form and submit it to my office or give my office a call at 334.242.5297. I would love to meet with you.

ABC 33/40 has done just that.

We are asking for this interview to address concerns raised by the people of Alabama. We’re trying to follow up on 23 complaints filed with the PSC by Alabama Power Customers – complaints referenced in the Public Service Commission’s most recent agenda packet.

We’ve requested copies of those complaints and how the Public Service Commission is addressing these public complaints.

Only one of the three Public Service Commissioners have agreed to an interview. Commissioner Jeremy Oden speaking to ABC 33/40 by phone on Feb. 8 said it could be two months before the commission concluded their investigation into the complaints.