Control of Alabama’s largest water utility shifts from Birmingham under new law
(UI) — Alabama has passed legislation shifting control of the Birmingham Water Works Board—the state’s largest water utility—away from Birmingham city officials and toward state leaders and surrounding counties, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill May 7, just a day after the city filed a federal lawsuit alleging the move constitutes racial discrimination.
The law reduces the board from nine to seven members and redistributes appointment power to the governor, lieutenant governor, and four counties, AP reported. It removes Birmingham’s authority to appoint a majority of board seats, despite the city accounting for more than 40% of the utility’s 770,000 customers.
City leaders argue the legislation gives disproportionate influence to majority-white suburbs and undermines the representation of Birmingham, a majority-Black city. The legal challenge is ongoing, as a federal judge heard arguments on May 15.
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