Pryor condemns IURC approval of AES rate increase

Yesterday, June 17, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) voted 3-1 to approve a $71 million rate increase for AES Indiana customers. 

This comes after the Indiana General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session, which focused heavily on utility affordability and protecting consumers from unchecked utility rate increases. Additionally, the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) recommended last year that AES undergo a $21 million rate reduction.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“I am deeply disappointed in the IURC’s decision to allow AES to, yet again, raise rates for its customers. Just three months ago, the General Assembly made it our priority to grant Hoosiers some relief from the burden of constantly-increasing utility rates. Now, AES customers are being told they have to contribute even more of their paychecks to keeping their lights on while their service quality stays stagnant. 

“Last year, the OUCC recommended that AES rates be reduced, saying the company is already more than profitable enough. Now, rather than follow that recommendation, the IURC has signed off on a rate hike that serves no purpose other than to enrich AES shareholders and strip customers of even more of their hard-earned money. The reality is that this decision will negatively impact people’s lives. 

“Hoosiers cannot continue to pay the price of utility providers putting profits over people.”