Southwest Indiana residents sound alarm on energy costs: Burton survey results
Ahead of tonight’s Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission field hearing in Evansville, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) is releasing the results of his community utility survey, which drew 1,195 responses from Southwest Indiana residents.
Burton released the following statement on the results:
“The data paints a clear picture that energy costs are not just inconvenient, they are unsustainable. The results confirm what I’ve been hearing at every door, every town hall and every community event. Nearly 1,200 of our neighbors took the time to tell us exactly what they’re experiencing, and tonight I’m bringing their voices into that room.”
Survey Results Breakdown:
What are residents saying?
Nearly half of respondents - 47.6% - reported their highest bill in the past 12 months exceeded $500, with 6.6% reporting bills over $1,000.
78.1% of residents said they do not feel confident they can reach a utility representative to answer questions about their bill.
More than two-thirds of households - 67.3% - experienced power outages two or more times in the past 12 months due to weather.
What do residents want?
90% support pausing rate increases.
93% believe the IURC should hold annual hearings in each investor-owned utility territory.
64.4% support at least one annual sales tax exemption on utility bills, with an additional 29.3% open to the idea.
The IURC field hearing will be held this evening, April 7, at the Old National Events Plaza from 6-8 p.m. CST.
Burton encourages all Southwest Indiana residents to attend and testify. "The IURC needs to hear from you directly - not just from utility companies. Tonight is your opportunity to put a face and a voice to these numbers. Please come out."
Burton is urging the IURC and his colleagues in the legislature to act on the data with concrete solutions, including:
A moratorium on all rate increases
An annual sales tax exemption on utility bills
Annual IURC field hearings in every investor-owned utility territory
Tools and technologies that empower families to monitor and manage their energy usage
Incentives for counties generating energy from the most affordable sources, aligned with Indiana's energy policy goals
"HEA 1002 was a start, but it cannot be the finish line. The people of Southwest Indiana have waited long enough. This data is going directly to the IURC and to my colleagues in the Statehouse - and I will keep pushing until we see real relief."
Survey results and resident comments will be shared with the IURC and members of the Indiana General Assembly for use in shaping future legislation.