INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis electricity utility AES wants to raise rates and, for the first time, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission heard public testimony on Monday night.

AES serves more than 532,000 customers in 10 counties.

More than 75 people packed into the conference room at the West Perry Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. AES customers shared frustrations with the company; be it high bills, services being cut, and lack of accountability.

There were not enough seats, so some people were forced to stand.

Jenne Lee said, “I don’t know when it became acceptable to put profits over people.”

Lee told News 8 that she keeps her home at 80 degrees just so her bills don’t increase. She and many of the customers in attendance sounded off. Lee wanted the commission to hold the company accountable instead approving a rate increase for it.

She also wanted others to speak up. “It’s vitally important. Some people who work multiple jobs can’t make it home tonight to make their opinions heard, so its super-important if you can, please come. Companies like this see numbers on a piece of paper, but there are faces and families behind these numbers, and I think it’s important that they see that this directly affects people.”

Mary Zenor said she has lived in Indianapolis for 44 years and, since 2021, she’s had numerous outages. “And now it’s constant, and a lot of it just blips. The sun’s shining, and we lose power and then it comes back on.”

She said her last power outage was July 26. She’s experienced four power outages this summer.

AES has proposed is a 13.5% increase that amounts, for the average home, to about $21 more per month over the next two years for a resident using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month.

In a statement, AES Indiana says the rate increase is due to rising costs including materials and labor and infrastructure investments. AES Indiana’s statement said the company does “understand the burdens any increase in a monthly bill can have for our customers. This is why we remain committed to only making necessary and prudent investments needed to ensure continued reliable service.”

Olivia Rivera of the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor said three more hearings are ahead, and people can give comments in other ways. “We need as many individuals as possible to speak up on this issue and talk about their concerns. We’re also inviting comments in writing if you can’t make it tonight. . You’re welcome to submit written consumer comments through Sept. 2.”

To comment on the proposed hike to AES directly, the company says to visit aesindiana.com/rate-review.

The commission will issue its decision on the rate proposal early in 2026.

Remaining public hearings

• Thursday, Aug. 21 | Southeast Community Services, 901 Shelby St.
• Monday, Aug. 25 | New Augusta North Public Academy, 6450 Rodebaugh Road.
• Wednesday, Aug. 27 | Fort Event Center at Fort Harrison State Park, 6002 N. Post Road.

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