Indiana will be a leader in energy
by Cindy Ledbetter
As a state representative proudly serving parts of Gibson, Pike and Warrick counties in southwest Indiana, I was excited to see that one of the main focuses of Gov.-elect Braun’s 2025 agenda is the important task of lowering Indiana’s high electricity rates. This matter is essential because it directly affects the daily lives of families and businesses across our state, including my constituents. Many Hoosier families and small businesses in southwest Indiana often struggle to afford their monthly utility bills as rates continue to skyrocket.
Furthermore, Braun’s plans to ensure a reliable and adequate power supply are vital not just for the welfare of households but also for supporting key economic development projects that foster growth and innovation in our communities. Indiana’s leaders must heed the advice of electrical grid operators tasked with maintaining our power grid’s stability. I firmly believe these initiatives will be vital in keeping Indiana competitive and appealing to residents and prospective investors.
Braun’s recent announcement to appoint Suzanne Jaworowski as the new Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources underscores his unwavering dedication to effectively addressing our state’s energy issues.
Braun and Jaworowski are focused on addressing two significant energy challenges, starting with Indiana’s rising electricity rates, which have escalated over time. According to the most recent annual report from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, Indiana’s electricity rates fell from the 4th lowest in 2004 to the 28th lowest in 2023. The report specifically notes that Indiana ranks 38th in commercial rates, 37th in industrial rates and 36th in residential rates nationally.
The second challenge involves meeting Indiana’s increasing electricity demand. With the state’s power requirements rising, Indiana utilities should not have to reject projects or businesses from entering their territory, provided it doesn’t impact ratepayers. We cannot close power sources when grid experts and federal authorities continue to alert us about rising power supply shortages. Let’s position Indiana as a state that welcomes more investments that enhance our communities by guaranteeing a sufficient power supply.
Jaworowski’s diverse background in energy policy makes her the perfect candidate to tackle these issues affecting everyday Hoosiers. Having worked for both the Department of Energy and as the lead for nuclear energy and the benefits it brings—clean, baseload power—and working with Indiana’s electrical grid operator, MISO, and warning state lawmakers about the dangerously growing gap between supply and demand, I am confident she will lead the state to a prosperous future of affordable and reliable electricity.
I am excited to work closely with her and Braun in our common goal of ensuring Hoosiers can access affordable rates. Together, we aim to keep Indiana competitive in attracting projects that drive substantial growth for our state, enabling us to flourish and succeed in a fast-evolving economy.
