By Kyra Howard, TheStatehouseFile.com

Power company AES of Indiana filed a petition with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in June asking for a rate increase. The request prompted negative responses from community members, organizations and local politicians. 

“If new rates are approved, AES Indiana residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month will see an increase of approximately $17 per month or around 13% compared to current base rates. The proposed rate increase will vary among business customers depending on rate class and usage,” said Kelly Young, AES spokesperson, in an email to The Statehouse File. 

There has been some dispute about if $17 is an accurate estimate. A report from the Citizens Action Coalition claims the increase will be closer to $23 per month. 

No matter where the number falls, any increase is upsetting to some customers and lawmakers.

Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, and members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus sent a letter urging the chair of the regulatory commission to deny the increase request. 

“When so many Hoosiers are already struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table for their families, it is outrageous that AES is proposing a 13.2% rate hike,” Pryor said in a press release. 

Indianapolis resident Loki Cinaed echoed Pryor’s point. 

“I am a single parent who is not receiving child support,” said Cinaed. “My income is stretched thin as it is.” 

In an attempt to keep his family’s home at a comfortable temperature and minimize cost, Cinaed put cardboard over some windows and closed off unused rooms. 

“It didn’t help too much with the bill. The bill was still high,” said Cinaed. “I actually had to go to the [township] trustee and get help for my most recent electric bill because for the two months, it was about $900. They had to help me get caught up so that I don’t get disconnected.

“I was there for three hours because there were so many people needing help.”  

He added he does not see the benefits consumers are supposed to receive from rate increases. He and his daughters were without power for 14 hours after a storm this summer. The Citizens Action Coalition emphasized this concern too, stating an AES increase in 2020 for upgrades should allow quicker outage repairs. 

“The homeowners and renters that are paying these high electric bills aren’t their priority. We never have been,” said Cinaed. “I just feel they’re trying to make a profit. They’re not really looking to actually make things more efficient for us. They’re in it for the money. And this is why I personally feel that utilities should not be privatized. They should be public.”

Young said the price increase would enhance safety and reliability and improve overall customer experience. 

She added the company is appreciative of customers for sharing their thoughts openly. 

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Oct. 2 at New Augusta Public Academy North Auditorium, 6450 Rodebaugh Road, Indianapolis. 

Cinaed said he would like to attend the hearing, but between work, lack of reliable transportation and childcare costs, it is difficult to get to important meetings like this. In the meantime, he has shared information about the rate increase request on Facebook. 

The OUCC is also accepting written comments until Oct. 6. 

Although Cinaed is grateful representatives and community members are speaking up, he worries their voices will be drowned out. He is concerned for himself and all Indiana residents who currently face rent increases and inflation.

“Where are people going to find that extra money when they’re already counting pennies?” said Cinaed.

 AGENDA Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners  September 11, 2023 – 3:00 p.m. Meeting in Room 301, Civic Center Complex 

1. Call to Order 

2. Attendance 

3. Pledge of Allegiance 

1. 1. 4. Action Items A. Engineer 1. Open Quotes for VC23-08-02: Boonville-New Harmony Road Bridge #252 Tree Removal 
   2. 2. Time Extension Request for VC23-04-01 “Milling and Resurfacing of Vanderburgh County Roads” 
   3. 3. Road Plans Cover Sheet: Boonville-New Harmony Road 
   4. 4. Administrative Settlement: Boonville-New Harmony Road Parcel 12 
   6. B. Burdette Park 1. Grading Bids for Burdette Park Playground Site 
   8. C. Computer Services 1. Qusitive Spyglass Microsoft 365 (M365) Security Assessment 
      1. 1. 2. Alpha Laser and Imaging Individual Lease Agreements: Assessor’s Office i. Contract #1202s 
         2. ii. Contract #1202t 
         3. iii. Contract #1202u 
         6. D. Ordinance No. CO.09-23-021 – Ordinance Adding 3.31, Property Taxes Collected for Property Disposed by County Executive, to the Vanderburgh County Code 
         7. E. Resolution No. CO.R-09-23-013 – Resolution Concerning Amended County Commissioner Meeting Dates for 2024 
         9. 5. Department Head Reports 
         10. 6. New Business 
   9. 7. Old Business A. Curran Miller Auction/Reality Commissioners’ Online Property Auction Sale Recap 
   10. B. Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission Meeting 
   11. C. October 3, 2023 Board of Commissioners Meeting and Drainage Board Meeting Will Be Held In Civic Center Room 301 (Not Old National Events Plaza Ballroom) 
   12. A. Approval of August 29th Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes 
   13. B. Employment Changes 
       1. 1. C. Auditor 1. Claims Voucher Reports i. August 28, 2023 – September 1, 2023 
          2. ii. September 4, 2023 – September 8, 2023 

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. 

Friedman Park Event Center 

2700 Park Blvd., Newburgh, IN 47630 

8. Consent Items 

Drainage Board Immediately Following 

1. 1. 1. 1. D. Treasurer 1. Old National Events Plaza Waiver Request i. 2023 Tax Sale 
         4. E. Burdette Park 1. Change Order: “Burdette Park Tennis and Pickleball Courts” 
         6. F. Prosecutor 1. Credit Card Usage Request 
         8. G. Thank You Letter from Ark Crisis Children’s Center 
         9. H. Letter from Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) 1. Des. No. 1902848 – Lighting Project 
         11. I. Burdette Park Advisory Board Appointment 1. Ryan Kremer 
         13. J. Repeal Request 1. American Rescue Plan 
         15. K. Appropriation Requests 1. American Rescue Plan 
         16. 2. General Fund 
         17. 3. Riverboat 

9. Public Comment 

10. Adjournment