Indiana Initiates Inquiry and Legislation to Combat Soaring Utility Costs
Indianapolis, Friday, 27 February 2026.
With NIPSCO electric bills rising over 90% since 2016, Indiana regulators have scheduled a comprehensive affordability inquiry for March 24, 2026. This investigation coincides with Governor Mike Braun’s signature on new utility legislation, marking a decisive shift in state policy to address the dramatic imbalance between utility reliability and ratepayer costs.
Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies
On February 19, 2026, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) formally announced an investigative inquiry into the rising costs of gas and electricity, a move driven by escalating financial pressure on Hoosier families [1]. This regulatory initiative will culminate in a public hearing scheduled for March 24, 2026, at the PNC Center in Indianapolis [3]. During this session, the state’s five largest investor-owned utilities—AES Indiana, CenterPoint Energy Indiana, Duke Energy Indiana, Indiana Michigan Power Company, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO)—are required to present data regarding affordability and billing transparency [1][5]. Commission Chair Andy Zay has characterized the current market dynamic as “dramatically out of whack,” emphasizing the need to balance utility solvency with the economic reality facing ratepayers [1].
Legislative Overhaul and Consumer Protections
Parallel to the regulatory probe, the legislative landscape shifted decisively on February 26, 2026, when Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1002 into law [2]. Designed to address the immediate affordability crisis, the legislation mandates that, starting after June 30, 2026, eligible households will automatically be placed on levelized billing plans unless they choose to opt out [2]. This mechanism is intended to smooth out seasonal volatility in energy costs, providing more predictable monthly expenses for consumers. Furthermore, the new statute expands critical safety nets; existing moratoriums on service disconnection during winter months have been broadened to include extreme heat events, defined as periods when the heat index reaches or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) [2].
Bipartisan Pressure and Historical Context
The convergence of executive and regulatory action follows months of intensifying bipartisan pressure. In September 2025, House Democrats formally raised concerns regarding utility costs, a sentiment echoed by Republican lawmakers in a letter sent to the commission on January 27, 2026 [1]. Data highlights the severity of the issue; for instance, NIPSCO customers experienced an electric bill increase of over 90% in July 2025 compared to rates in 2016 [1]. Governor Braun has stated that his administration is focused on “kitchen table issues,” asserting that his appointments to the IURC are intended to hold investor-owned utilities accountable for affordability and transparency [3].