Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission collecting consumer data in Goshen to assess Affordability Crisis
ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. — The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is moving into the next phase of its investigation into rising energy costs, launching a statewide listening tour to gather feedback directly from residents.
The effort follows an initial inquiry into energy affordability, which officials described as the first step in a broader strategy to better understand the factors driving higher utility bills.
IURC Chairman Andy Zay said the listening sessions are designed to give Hoosiers an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns about their energy bills, and help rebuild trust with the public.
“Obviously the outcry was significant enough we wanted to step into the space and see what can or could be done.” Zay said.
Many complaints focused on NIPSCO bills, with residents raising concerns about customer service and a lack of transparency.
State Sen. Linda Rodgers, District 11, said more clarity is needed, particularly regarding specific charges.
“On the NIPSCO bills, that have a transportation charge, they don’t have it divided out saying it goes for what specific purpose and that needs to be done. I met with NIPSCO early in the year and said that needs to be done. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been done.”
The listening sessions make up phase two of the commission’s investigation and are intended to collect consumer data that will inform a final report.
“We’re going to gravitate towards a report at the end of all this, that we will have some action outcomes and some tangible things that we think we can do both short term and long term,” Zay said. “We could have some formal recommendations which would actually pivot to an investigation cause.”
Zay said all feedback — including public comments from these listening sessions and copies of utility bills — will be reviewed as part of the process, with a focus on affordability and clarity for consumers.
“As far as the development of substations and different components of the utilities and building infrastructure that there are some higher costs for that.”
Lawmakers and regulators say they are working together to address rising costs influenced by global factors. The final report with recommended actions is expected to be presented to the full commission by June.
“It is our intent to find some very direct action steps that we can ask out of the utilities and possibly even our commission and maybe the governs office.” Zay said.
To contribute to the data used in the final report, Indiana residents can attend one of the remaining seven public *listening sessions or submit concerns online through the **IURC services portal.
* https://www.in.gov/iurc/files/Release_IURC-listening-tour_3.20.26_FINAL.pdf