energy

Indiana utility regulators heard complaints about rising energy costs and data centers at a Noblesville listening session, part of a statewide investigation prompted by record consumer complaints over utility bills.

Gov. Mike Braun committed Monday to overseeing enforcement of a new law that ties utility rate approvals to performance data, as the state's regulatory commission investigates rising electric bills.

Indiana's utility regulatory commission opened an investigation into rising energy costs, questioning the state's five investor-owned utilities at a public hearing as customer complaints hit record levels.

The utility company created the event as an opportunity for customers to connect with staff and ask questions.

AES, the parent company of AES Indiana, announced on Monday that it has agreed to be purchased for more than $33 billion by a group of large domestic and foreign investors — and could go private as soon as this year.

The measure is one of lawmakers’ efforts to address pocketbook issues this year as demand for energy and electric bills rise.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold a public hearing March 24 with five major utility companies.

Gov. Mike Braun picked three new members of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. The agency decides whether a utility can charge its customers for the cost of things like new power plants and lines.

More rural electric cooperatives around the country are looking to cut ties with their suppliers in favor of cheaper electric bills for customers and the flexibility to do what they want. That includes individual co-ops in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Carolina.

The need for power for AI data centers coming into Indiana prompted a lot of bills this session. Lawmakers were also concerned with all things water — from long-haul water pipelines to stormwater running off of construction sites.