CAC Urges Rejection of AES Indiana's Sweetheart Deal With City of Indianapolis, Large Electric Users
Residential Customers Would Be Hit With Largest Rate Increases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2025
Contacts:
Kerwin Olson, Executive Director (317) 735-7727, kolson@citact.org
Ben Inskeep, Program Director (317) 735-7741, binskeep@citact.org
INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Action Coalition (“CAC”) today calls on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (“IURC”) to reject an unbalanced proposed settlement agreement filed yesterday in AES Indiana’s rate case. The settlement is between AES Indiana, the City of Indianapolis, Walmart, Rolls Royce, and the AES Indiana Industrial Group (comprised of Allison Transmission, Inc., Eli Lilly, Indiana University, Ingredion, Inc., Marathon Petroleum Company LP, and Messer LLC). The case is docketed before the IURC as Cause No. 46258.
“We will vigorously oppose this unfair and unaffordable deal and do everything we can to protect the residents of Indianapolis from yet another large utility bill increase,” said Kerwin Olson, CAC’s Executive Director. “Hoosiers have had enough with AES Indiana’s poor service, soaring bills, and backroom deals. It’s time for the IURC to send a message and restore affordability and accountability at our out-of-control monopoly utilities.”
The settlement would result in residential customers receiving a 6.51% base rate increase, whereas Primary Large and Secondary Large customer classes (serving large commercial and industrial customers) would only receive a 3.19% and 4.12% increase, respectively.
The settlement also fails to adequately address the egregious and prolonged billing system problems AES Indiana customers have experienced since the utility rolled out a new system in November 2023. Tens of thousands of AES Indiana customers received wrong or no bills for months on end, and hundreds of customers had unauthorized charges automatically debited from their bank account, putting many in extreme financial stress.
Parties will have the opportunity to file testimony in support or opposition to the settlement, after which the IURC will hold an evidentiary hearing. A final IURC order approving, modifying, or denying the settlement is anticipated in late Spring 2026.
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Case-related documents are available at iurc.portal.in.gov/docketed-case-details/?id=bfc3a8a8-8040-f011-b4cc-001dd803db57.