STATEHOUSE — State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) vice-chaired the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications on Tuesday, which focused on the response to the derecho that hit northwest Indiana on Aug. 11, 2026.
The committee heard testimony from NIPSCO, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, and the Indiana Office of Energy Development. They also heard public testimony from those directly impacted by the derecho.
The committee approved a report recommending the General Assembly consider legislation that would require utility companies to maintain written procedures for preparing for and restoring services to customers during an emergency, and to update those procedures and file them with the IURC every year.
The report also recommended the General Assembly consider legislation that would require the IURC to conduct an audit of vegetation management practices of utility companies every two years.
“This was an extremely important hearing, and the testimony we heard was valuable as we prepare legislation for consideration next session,” Koch said.
Koch is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Utilities, ranking member of the Senate committees on Commerce and Technology and Judiciary, and a member of the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law. He represents Senate District 44, which includes Brown, Jackson, Lawrence and Orange counties, and a portion of Monroe County.
