As Hoosiers across the state are trying to recover from unrelenting wind and rain, a political tempest continues to batter Indianapolis, and the pace of new developments in the utility and energy world has been nothing short of blistering. It now seems that not a week goes by without a new scandal emerging, a change in IURC commissioners, blowback to a major regulatory decision, or a development in a critical legal challenge.
Many Hoosier communities are increasingly overwhelmed, facing difficult choices due to a lack of resources and familiar patterns of corporate exploitation. We are now at a critical juncture. As exploitation of Hoosier communities is being turbo-charged, affordability has become a top political issue, and data center opposition has swelled. We have an opportunity to reverse course and prioritize Hoosiers. The next year will solidify our state’s trajectory in many key areas.
The IURC was thrust into the spotlight in June following its decision in the AES Indiana rate case -- and not in a good way. The IURC approved another steep rate hike, at odds with the OUCC's recommendation and CAC’s support for a rate decrease. The direct, public rebuke of the IURC after its order was followed five days later with a tweet from Gov. Braun declaring he replaced the Chair of the IURC with a different Commissioner.
CAC filed testimony in Cause No. 46394 emphasizing the importance of transparency, as well as ensuring the data center pays its full and fair share of costs now and into the future. Modifications to the proposal are needed to better protect Hoosier ratepayers and ensure consistency with Indiana statute and the public interest.
These are the issues of immediate importance we are working on right now.
