Indiana PUC Announces Inquiry on Energy Affordability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2026 CONTACT INFORMATION: Ben Gavelek 317-232-2714 bgavelek@urc.in.gov IURC announces Investigative Inquiry on Energy Affordability INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC or Commission) announced today that it will be conducting an Investigative Inquiry on Energy Affordability on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. During the inquiry, the Commission will be calling in the five largest investor-owned utilities to present on various topics related to energy affordability, including how usage and rates lead to bills, the impact of growth on affordability, and steps that can be taken in the short term to increase bill transparency and address rising energy costs. The five utilities that will be presenting include AES Indiana, CenterPoint Energy Indiana, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC, Indiana Michigan Power Company, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company, LLC. “Indiana, like every state, is facing a real challenge when it comes to energy affordability,” said IURC Chairman Andy Zay. “Costs are increasing across the board, and rising utility bills are placing added pressure on budgets that, for many, are already strained. We’ve heard the concerns about the burden utility bills have on families and businesses across the state, and we are committed to evaluating short- and long-term solutions related to affordability.” The inquiry will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Room 222 of the PNC Center, 101 W. Washington St., in Indianapolis. The meeting is open to the public to observe and will be livestreamed on the Commission’s website at www.in.gov/iurc/watch-the-iurc-live. Based on the investigative inquiry, the Commission will determine any appropriate next steps, which can include formal or informal actions. Any formal action taken by the Commission must occur at the IURC’s weekly public meeting, known as “Conference”, where commissioners vote on orders. “As utility regulators, we are required to review all the evidence and balance factors like reliability and affordability when making decisions, but careful attention must be paid to the impact these increases can have when combined with inflation, fuel costs, and other forces outside of a utility’s control,” Zay said. “Our focus with this investigative inquiry is to examine some of those cost drivers and identify meaningful steps that can be taken to address issues like bill transparency and affordability without sacrificing reliability.” ### About the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is a fact-finding body that hears evidence in cases filed before it and makes decisions based on the evidence presented in those cases. An advocate of neither the public nor the utilities, the Commission is required by state statute to make decisions that balance the interests of all parties to ensure the utilities provide safe and reliable service at just and reasonable rates. For more information, please visit www.in.gov/iurc.