Utility rates could drop if tax passes

Gov. Bob Riley’s $1.2 billion tax plan will not only be affecting major state agencies, but it will also reach into every home when residents flip the switch to turn on their air conditioning or fill up their cups with water.

Alabama Power Co. and Alabama Gas Corp. will see a hike in property taxes if the tax plan passes; however, costs passed on to customers would fall from 6.2 percent to 5.75 percent. That means a customer with gas or power would pay $5.75 on a $100 utility bill rather than $6.20.