By State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
On March 24, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission led an inquiry into energy affordability and questioned the five largest investor-owned electricity service providers in Indiana.
This inquiry was an important step in determining why Hoosiers' electric bills have seen large increases in recent years, and I was happy to see the IURC hold companies accountable.
With the first phase inquiry now over, the IURC will move into a second phase of its strategy to investigate rising electric bills in Indiana — a series of 10 listening sessions throughout the state.
The closest listening session to Senate District 48 will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. central time, on Tuesday, April 7, in Exhibit Hall B at the Old National Events Plaza, 715 Locust St., Evansville, Indiana, and I encourage local residents to attend.
During this year's legislative session, the General Assembly passed legislation aimed at lowering costs in Indiana through new laws like House Enrolled Act 1002, which will overhaul our state's ratemaking process for electric utilities to promote affordability, predictable monthly bills and reliable service.
I strongly supported this bill because it 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 new model is the biggest change in our state's ratemaking process in more than 100 years, and companies will now be incentivized to provide service that is both reliable and affordable.
As always, constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns by email at s48@iga.in.gov or by phone at 1-800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48,
which includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
