To the Editor:
At a time of sky-high inflation and a shaky economic outlook, many Indiana families can’t afford to pay even more to power their homes. Yet instead of protecting ratepayers from harmful price increases, our state legislature is protecting utilities as they raise costs for families.
The legislature passed this session a trio of bills that will lead to higher costs for ratepayers. HB 1417 will allow utilities to pass unexpected costs, such as when they close a functioning coal plant, along to ratepayers through price increases. HB 1420 gives utilities automatic first dibs to build new facilities, eliminating competition from other sources that may offer lower rates. HB 1421 lets utilities charge ratepayers for a new facility even before the facility opens.
Collectively, these bills will embolden utilities to raise rates with impunity, increasing the financial burden on Indiana families at the worst possible time. I’m urging the legislature to focus on ratepayers over profits for utilities and develop new legislation to better protect working people.
Maureen Leyden
Indianapolis
