IURC Gets a New Chairman, Who Can't Vote on the Two Cases That Triggered the Change

Governor Braun replaced IURC Chairman Andy Zay with Commissioner Anthony Swinger on June 23, citing the commission's 3-1 vote approving a $71 million annual rate increase for AES Indiana as "unacceptable." Swinger spent 25 years at the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the agency that recommended a $21 million rate reduction in that same proceeding and received over 7,000 consumer comments opposing the increase.

The structural problem: Swinger is recused from voting on the AES rehearing and from the Duke rate case because of his prior OUCC involvement in both. The commissioner most likely to rule in ratepayers' favor cannot vote on either case that prompted his appointment. The OUCC must file its AES reconsideration petition by July 7. Citizens Action Coalition Executive Director Kerwin Olson was direct: durable rate relief requires statutory changes, which means the 2027 legislative session is the real fight. If you're not engaging your legislators now, you're already behind that window.