Evansville council ends negotiations with CenterPoint over rate increases

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The Common Council of Evansville announced the conclusion of its legal efforts to address CenterPoint’s proposed utility rate increases.

The city council unanimously passed a resolution in March opposing CenterPoint’s proposed utility rate increases. It is estimated that with the rate changes, some customer bills will increase by as much as $45 by 2026.

“Despite our diligent efforts and direct good-faith negotiations with CenterPoint, it has become evident that they aren’t willing to make any significant concessions, and that a settlement deserving our constituents was not attainable,” said Zac Heronemus, president of the Evansville City Council. “We remain hopeful that the [Indiana Regulatory Commission] will consider the real and substantial impacts of these proposed rate increases and act in the best interest of Evansville residents.”

Heronemus says the city council is a united front. In March, the city council unanimously passed a resolution opposing CenterPoint’s utility rate increase. It was later filed as an official testimony by the city council’s attorney. Despite taking legal action, the city council says CenterPoint is not willing to make concessions.

“I can tell you by taking this legal intervention, it was something that we had never done before. And we wanted to take that step, that extra action to fight for our residents. Obviously, it has not resulted in what we wanted, but we took action,” says Ben Trockman, a city council member.

Historically, Heronemus says Evansville has the highest rate on both the gas and electrical side, creating a burden for residents.

“Especially at a time when small businesses are closing, at a time when we have households that are trying to figure out daycare and seniors that are trying to figure out prescription medicine, and anything else that requires day-to-day life,” Heronemus says.

CenterPoint reached a settlement agreement with the Indiana Industrial Group and SABIC in May, agreeing to a new rate hike proposal. CenterPoint says the agreement represents “good faith negotiations” and “reflects a fair and balanced outcome.”

“We hope that the IURC are hearing the calls and pleas from Evansville and of Southwestern Indiana and make the best decision, not for the utility, but for the people who are having trouble making ends meet,” Heronemus says.

The next hearing on CenterPoint’s pending utility rate case before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is scheduled for September 10, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in Indianapolis. A final decision by the commission is expected to be made before the end of the year.

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