INDIANA — In an unprecedented move for Indiana’s typically understated energy regulators, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) is hitting the road to hear directly from residents struggling with rising energy costs.
Starting this week, the IURC will launch a 10-session statewide “affordability listening tour.” Officials are encouraging ratepayers to bring copies of their monthly utility bills to the meetings to help the commission understand the real-world impact of current rates.
The tour follows a recent all-day investigation into utility affordability involving Indiana’s “big five” utility companies. Chairman Andy Zay, a former state senator appointed by Gov. Mike Braun late last year, signaled a shift in the agency’s approach to consumer concerns.
“In my short time as Chairman, my fellow Commissioners and I have heard from thousands of utility customers from all over Indiana that they are struggling to pay their energy bills,” Zay said in a statement Friday.
While the IURC is legally mandated to serve as an impartial arbiter between customers and providers to ensure “just and reasonable rates,” Zay has candidly noted that the current balance is “out of whack.”
Each session will provide a brief overview of how the commission functions, but the primary goal is gathering direct testimony from the public to explore both short- and long-term solutions to energy costs.
If you can’t attend in person, Hoosiers can submit their comments via email to IURCListeningSessions@urc.in.gov.
2026 Listening Tour Schedule
Most sessions are held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time unless otherwise noted.
| Date | Location | Venue Details |
| Thurs, March 26 | La Porte | Civic Auditorium (1001 Ridge St.) |
| Sat, March 28 | Syracuse | Town Hall (310 N. Huntington St.) — 10 a.m.-Noon |
| Wed, April 1 | Goshen | Elkhart Co. Fairgrounds Community Center |
| Thurs, April 2 | Columbus | City Hall, Cal Brand Meeting Room |
| Mon, April 6 | Fort Wayne | New Haven Community Center (7500 State Road 930 E.) |
| Tue, April 7 | Evansville | Old National Events Plaza, Exhibit Hall B |
| Thurs, April 9 | Noblesville | City Hall Council Chambers |
| Mon, April 13 | Gary | Gary Public Library — 5:30-7:30 p.m. |
| Mon, April 20 | Indianapolis | Ivy Tech Conference Center, Ballroom 212 |
| Wed, April 22 | Terre Haute | City Hall City Courtroom |
Note: Any schedule changes will be posted directly to the IURC website.
