Pryor comments on unfair AES settlement

Yesterday, it was announced that AES Indiana had reached a settlement with the City of Indianapolis and a number of large businesses and private interest groups with AES Indiana Industrial Group. This agreement was reached outside of official channels.  The Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) has issued a statement in opposition of this settlement. According to Citizens Action Coalition, this deal would increase rates for residential consumers by at least 6.51% while commercial and industrial consumers will only increase by 3.19% and 4.12%, respectively. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the House Committee on Energy and Utilities as well as an outspoken opponent of the AES rate hike, issued the following statement: 

“This backroom deal might be great for the interests of corporations, but leaves one major group out to dry: the consumers. The scramble to pander to these major corporate players comes after Hoosiers from across the city showed up in mass to testify against this unfair rate hike. The OUCC has submitted over 7,000 comments from consumers in fervent opposition to yet another increase in their bills.

“The justification of improved service garners understandable doubt from residents as issues of concern before the last rate hike that went into effect just months ago have still yet to be fixed. And we are not talking about little problems. We are talking about people being charged three times what they should be or their bank account being withdrawn ten times without immediate compensation. We should not let AES expand their bottom line by one penny until these issues have been addressed. 

“People simply cannot keep up with utility costs that have gone up 34% over the last decade. This rate hike should be flat out rejected. Indiana is a regulated monopoly, and consumers cannot go anywhere else if they are unsatisfied with the price or service of our utilities. I urge the IURC to do the right thing for the citizens of Indiana and not allow this sweetheart deal to go through.”