FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEHOUSE (March 26, 2026) — State Sens. Dan Dernulc (R-Highland) and Rick Niemeyer (R-Lowell) are encouraging Region residents to attend one of 10 state-wide listening sessions hosted by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to share the impacts of energy prices.
The closest listening session for Dernulc and Niemeyer's communities will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. central time, on Monday, April 13, in the Roma K. Ivey Community Room at 220 W 5th Ave., Gary.
"One of my main legislative priorities during the 2026 legislative session was to address energy affordability in northwest Indiana," Dernulc said. "I encourage members from our community to try and make it to one of these listening sessions IURC is putting on throughout Indiana. It can only help in the fight to address the energy increases we are seeing in our homes and businesses."
During the 2026 legislative session, Dernulc and Niemeyer co-sponsored House Enrolled Act 1002, which overhauls Indiana's ratemaking process for electric utilities to promote affordability, predictable monthly bills and reliable service. The legislation switches Indiana to a performance-based ratemaking model, requiring utility companies to meet certain affordability and reliability goals in order to collect their full return on investment.
"This session, we worked to find ways to make utility costs more affordable and reliable, and HEA 1002 is the first step in addressing the energy rate increases," Niemeyer said. "Finding ways to be more efficient and affordable should be the top priority of utility companies across Indiana, and we need to make that clear at a state level and at a local level."
Dernulc and Niemeyer encourage constituents to contact them with any questions or comments they may have. Dernulc can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Dernulc or by phone at 800-382-9467. Niemeyer can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Niemeyer or by phone at 317-232-9489.
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State Sen. Dan Dernulc (R-Highland) represents Senate District 1,
which includes a portion of Lake County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Sen. Rick Niemeyer (R-Lowell) represents Senate District 6,
which includes Benton and Newton counties, and portions of Lake and Jasper counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Sen. Dernulc Contact: Kristen Gorski, Press Secretary
Kristen.Gorski@iga.in.gov
317-232-9539
Sen. Niemeyer Contact: Emma Balzer, Deputy Communications Director
Emma.Balzer@iga.in.gov
317-232-7184
