INDIANA — Governor Mike Braun declared this week that his administration’s aggressive push for utility affordability is beginning to yield results, signaling a major shift in how the state regulates its largest energy providers.
In a statement released following recent developments at the Statehouse, Governor Braun emphasized that his recent appointments to key regulatory bodies were made with a singular focus: protecting the bank accounts of everyday Hoosiers.
“From the beginning, my administration has been focused on kitchen table issues like affordability,” said Governor Braun. “That is why I appointed a strong consumer advocate in the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor and appointed IURC commissioners focused on ratepayers.”
A “New Era” for the IURC
The centerpiece of Braun’s strategy has been a near-total remake of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), the powerful five-member body that approves or denies rate hikes for investor-owned utilities.
Leading this new charge is Chairman Andy Zay, a former State Senator from Huntington. Zay, who took the gavel on January 12, 2026, is tasked with implementing the Governor’s “Five Pillars” of energy policy: affordability, reliability, resiliency, stability, and environmental sustainability.
Joining Zay are two other Braun appointees:
- Anthony Swinger: A veteran of the ratepayer advocacy world with over 25 years of experience at the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC).
- Bob Deig: A former state senator from Southwest Indiana, a region that has historically faced some of the highest energy costs in the state.
Holding Utilities Accountable
The Governor’s focus extends beyond personnel to active legislation. Braun has thrown his weight behind House Enrolled Act 1002, a landmark bill that transitions Indiana toward performance-based ratemaking. This ensures that utilities can no longer simply pass on costs to consumers; instead, their profits will be tied to how well they meet specific goals in affordability and service reliability.
“I expect Chairman Zay to keep the focus on addressing affordability, transparency, and reliability for ratepayers while holding investor-owned utilities accountable,” Braun added.
The Consumer Watchdog’s New Bite
Supporting the IURC’s new direction is Abby Gray, whom Braun appointed as the state’s Utility Consumer Counselor. Gray has already made waves by recommending rate decreases in response to recent utility requests—a stark departure from previous years where rate increases were often viewed as a foregone conclusion.
Braun also addressed the “AI race,” stating that while he welcomes data centers to Indiana, he will not allow them to burden local families. He pointed to Amazon’s $15 billion data center project as a success, noting the company has agreed to “pay for every cent of their power,” ensuring that residents’ rates stay down even as demand grows.
