Petition to Block CenterPoint Energy Rate Increase and Revoke Municipal Privileges

To:

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC),

The Office of the Governor of Indiana,

The Indiana State Legislature,

and all relevant governing bodies overseeing public utilities.

From:

The undersigned residents and ratepayers of Evansville, Newburgh, and surrounding areas in the State of Indiana.

Subject:

 Opposition to CenterPoint Energy Rate Increase and Revocation of Municipal Treatment

We, the undersigned citizens and utility customers of Southern Indiana, hereby petition the State of Indiana to block any further rate increases proposed by CenterPoint Energy, a publicly traded for-profit corporation, and to review and revoke its municipal-style privileges currently granted under the name Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company (SIGECO).

We believe that the State of Indiana has allowed CenterPoint Energy to operate under the guise of a municipally associated utility while engaging in practices inconsistent with public service obligations. We assert the following:

1.    Illegal Monopoly Practices:
CenterPoint Energy, operating under the SIGECO charter, effectively functions as a monopoly utility without legitimate municipal oversight. This arrangement violates the spirit of fair competition and consumer protection intended under Indiana law.

2.    Rate Hikes Causing Public Hardship:
Repeated rate increases have imposed severe financial burdens on households, small businesses, and vulnerable residents. These hikes appear designed not to maintain infrastructure or improve service, but rather to overcompensate corporate executives and shareholders at the expense of Indiana consumers.

3.    Lack of Representation in Oversight:
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), which has been appointed to act and make decisions on behalf of utility customers, does not consist of members who live within or rely on CenterPoint Energy’s service area. This disconnect results in biased and uninformed decision-making that fails to protect the citizens directly affected.

Our Demands:

1.    That the State of Indiana deny any and all proposed rate increases from CenterPoint Energy until a full, independent audit of its financial operations and executive compensation is completed.

2.    That CenterPoint Energy’s license to operate under municipal-like privileges (SIGECO) be reviewed and revoked, as it is a for-profit corporation and should not be treated as a taxpayer-subsidized municipal utility.

3.    That the State of Indiana reform the oversight structure of the IURC to ensure direct representation from residents who are affected by the utilities they regulate.

Conclusion:

We, the residents and ratepayers of Evansville, Newburgh, and surrounding communities, respectfully submit this petition as a formal objection to CenterPoint Energy’s continued misuse of its position and its unfair treatment of Indiana customers.

We call on our state officials and regulators to uphold transparency, accountability, and fairness by protecting Hoosiers—not corporate profits.