The presidents of Indiana’s investor-owned electric and gas utilities put up their guard Tuesday in the face of complaints among consumers and policymakers, including Gov. Mike Braun, that climbing energy bills are creating an affordability crisis in the state.
Executives from Duke Energy Indiana, AES Indiana and three other utilities fielded pointed questions from state regulators during a daylong meeting in Indianapolis — part of an informal inquiry launched by Andy Zay, the new chair of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
The proceeding grew from consumer angst over rising electricity bills — a sentiment echoed by Braun (R) last year. The governor has responded by appointing a new state ratepayer advocate and remaking the Indiana commission with three new members, including Zay, a former Republican state senator, who says he shares Braun’s concerns.
“The reality is on Main Street there are people that simply can’t afford to pay these bills,” Zay told the executives on Tuesday.
