(Above: Sen. Jeff Sessions speaking about PSC Candidate Chip Beeker during a campaign stop)

During a campaign stop in Eutaw, Ala. on Monday, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) praised Republican Alabama Public Service Commission candidate Chip Beeker, who is locked in a contentious runoff set to take place July 15th.

“Chip Beeker is a first-rate guy,” Sessions told the crowd of local supporters. “He’s got good principles and good values. He loves this state. He cares about the policies that make America great and he’ll always work honestly and faithfully to achieve those ends.”

Beeker finished first in the crowded PSC – Place 2 Republican primary, but incumbent commissioner Terry Dunn hung on to force a runoff. Dunn drew three primary challengers after alienating a large portion of the Republican base by siding with environmental groups on a series of votes at the PSC.

Not usually a hotbed of political activity, the Alabama Public Service Commission has seen some heated debates in recent months between environmental activists and the coal industry.

The San Francisco-based Energy Foundation, a non-profit entity, has funneled roughly $3 million into Alabama in recent years, much of it specifically earmarked to advocate for stricter climate change policies and to shutter coal plants.

Pro-coal groups have pushed back by running ads decrying the environmental organizations’ efforts to advance the Obama Administration’s “War on Coal,” and by vocally supporting Beeker’s bid to unseat Dunn.

The outspoken praise from Sen. Sessions, arguably the most popular conservative figure in the state, could prove key for Beeker, especially if voter turnout is as low as the Alabama Secretary of State predicts (around 5%).

For some quick background on the environmental movement’s recent activity in Alabama, check out Yellowhammer TV‘s News in 90 Seconds video below.

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