Rep. Hamilton alarmed at what utility overreach could mean for Hoosiers in COVID-19 pandemic

INDIANAPOLIS – State Representative Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) expressed alarm after ten of Indiana's gas and electric companies filed a petition with state regulators seeking permission to recover lost revenue from customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Friday filing with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) could lead to higher rates for already struggling Hoosiers.

The utility companies, including Indianapolis Power & Light Co., want to charge consumers for COVID-19 related expenses, including reduced revenue from less energy usage.

“Hoosier families, small businesses and other utility customers across Indiana have had to face economic uncertainty while Indiana navigates a global pandemic, and these privately held utilities think they should be the exception to that,” said Hamilton.

“The idea that ratepayers will have to pay for energy they’ve never used in order to ensure healthy profits for utility investors is unacceptable.”