Pryor comments on energy affordability report

 Yesterday, July 15, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) released its 2026 Energy Affordability Report. The report included several action items that the IURC and Indiana General Assembly can take in the future to better address utility affordability. 

Among the action items were recommendations to consider removing the sales tax from utility bills, expand the Indiana Energy Saver Program and properly communicate ratepayer relief options. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the House Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications, released the following statement: 

“Several of the action items included in the IURC report have merit. I’m happy to see the Commission putting forward recommendations to bring down utility costs. However, I find it ironic that many of these same ideas were already on the table during the 2026 legislative session. 

I proposed Amendment 8 to House Bill 1002, which would have prohibited private equity firms from acquiring utility companies without IURC approval. House Democrats also offered an amendment to eliminate the 7% sales tax on utility bills. Both amendments were rejected by the Republican supermajority. 

“If the IURC is serious about bringing more affordable utilities to Hoosiers, then they need to start by reversing their recent decision to allow AES to raise its rates. The time for action items has passed. These action items only matter if they are implemented and Hoosiers’ bills keep coming to their mailboxes. Hoosiers want solutions, and I’m committed to delivering them.”