Gov. Mike Braun confirmed Aug. 3 that Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) member Andy Zay had been dismissed from his post.
Zay, whom Braun appointed as chairman of the IURC in January, was demoted to commissioner in June after presiding over the Commission’s decision that allowed AES Indiana to raise rates on its residential customers. Zay was dismissed from his position due to noncompliance, according to a spokesperson from the IURC.
“This is another case of too little, too late from Gov. Braun,” State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), said in a statement. “Firing Commissioner Zay, who Braun appointed in January, doesn’t change the fact that he gave AES Indiana the green light to increase rates on struggling Hoosiers and pocket bigger profits. Hoosiers needed a regulator willing to tell utilities no; what they got was a politician still voting in the interests of his old caucus.”
Pryor also said that Hoosiers want “vigorous solutions” to the utility affordability crisis that allow the IURC to act in ratepayers’ best interest.
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“At the end of the day, the IURC can only do so much to protect consumers when the Republican supermajority in the General Assembly constantly chooses to prioritize corporate interests over working Hoosiers in our utility laws,” Pryor added. “It falls on the General Assembly to deliver those solutions, and I plan to continue advocating for them in the Statehouse and beyond.”
For more updates regarding the Indiana House Democratic Caucus, visit indianahousedemocrats.org/news.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
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