Citizens Action Coalition campaign focuses on Braun, lowering utility costs in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — Consumer advocates with the Citizens Action Coalition announced the launch of a new campaign directed at Gov. Mike Braun and high utility costs Tuesday morning.

CAC said “Stop Mike’s Hikes” calls for Braun to answer for high electricity bills and change "misguided" energy decisions.

"A recent CAC report found Indiana’s monopoly utilities have enacted the most severe electric bill hikes in 20 years—with some families paying nearly $50 more a month than just one year ago," CAC's news release stated. "Instead of providing any meaningful action to help Hoosiers, Gov. Braun is calling for expensive coal, gas and nuclear energy to boost the state’s power supply."

The Courier & Press reached out to Braun's office to see if the governor had a response to the new campaign and were referred to a news conference he gave Tuesday.

At that news conference, Braun announced that applications were open for three seats on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. He also announced his appointees to the nominating committee which will recommend selections to him at a later date.

He appointed Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzie Jaworowski, former Indiana State Rep. Dollyne Sherman, and Cory Cochran, a business executive from Floyd County. They will join four members previously nominated by the General Assembly.

Governor Mike Braun and Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski announced that the state was seeking applications for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

"Ensuring that Indiana has efficient utilities without overburdening Hoosier families is critically important to me," Braun said. "If you are an entrepreneurial thinker and creative problem solver, I encourage you to apply to join the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission."

But a part of CAC's campaign calls out more than just high rates, but what they call "expensive and outdated energy sources" like coal and gas. It also focuses on the state's discussions on bringing data centers to the area.

“Hoosiers are hurting, and Governor Braun has the chance to lead. He’s inherited an energy landscape that’s been carefully designed to benefit utilities and big industry,” said CAC Executive Director Kerwin Olson. “The rate hikes Hoosiers have endured in recent years are just the tip of the iceberg. We need decisive action to reverse the policies that got us here in the first place and embrace energy solutions that will lower bills and ensure long-term reliability without sending costs through the roof."

CAC said the solutions exist, with everything from community solar to energy efficiency as an option.

Along with greater utility accountability, these options will lower bills, CAC states in a news release.

“The rate hikes Hoosiers have endured in recent years are just the beginning,” Olson said. “We need leadership that embraces real solutions and puts consumers at the center of Indiana’s energy policy. Utilities always seem to get richer, and our families pay the price. That must change, and we desperately need real leadership from the Governor to reverse that trend.”