A DECREE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REGARDING CENTERPOINT ENERGY
We, the members of the President’s Neighborhood Leadership Team, come now to announce a DECREE of ECONOMIC HARDSHIP regarding the rising cost of utilities. That we are petitioning our governments, their committees, and their members from the bottom to the top that sets/controls electric rates and the laws surrounding utility rate increases in Indiana. We declare the following grievances to be accurate and true regarding our current situation:
#1 Whereas, the President’s Neighborhood is one of the most southern (organized) neighborhoods in the entire State of Indiana. That hot weather events most likely affect us and our thermostats more than any other (organized) neighborhood in the State of Indiana.
#2 Whereas, Indiana as a whole has seen one of the biggest jumps in utility bills in the nation, with residential electricity costs rising by over 30% from 2015 to 2025.
#3 Whereas, electric rates in Evansville, Indiana, are currently the highest in the State and nearly double when compared to Henderson, Kentucky (just 2 miles away and across our southern bridge.)
#4 Whereas, energy monopolies in Indiana have been given statutory authority and guarantees to perpetually grow and raise their rates, under the veil of making needed supporting improvements to their infrastructure. The infrastructure that we citizens ultimately pay for, while never seeing the Returns on Investments when these privately owned monopolies sell out to another energy company or group.
#5 Whereas, CenterPoint continues to give copiously to non-profit organizations while passing these costs on to the consumers of CenterPoint electric under their general operations budget.
#6 Whereas, none of the sitting committee members of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission are from the southern region of Indiana, nor are they CenterPoint customers themselves.
#7 Whereas, none of the CenterPoint Board of Directors reside, live, or are from Indiana. Demonstrating a clear lack of representation across all boards and committees in the CenterPoint/IURC relationship(s).
#8 Whereas, neither the Mayor, the City/County Council of Evansville, its commissioners, State Legislators, nor Governor Mike Braun have proposed any change that has seen the light of day, to address the current status quo or infrastructure that supports energy monopolies in Indiana.
#9 Whereas, elected officials up and down the State continue to receive political donations from CenterPoint Energy and PACs that represent CenterPoint. Leading to a clear conflict of interest.
That this is only a shortlist of our grievances that have led to our current and ongoing economic hardships, in some cases life life-threatening hardships, in the President’s Neighborhood in Evansville, Indiana.
