Ricky Junquera, 617.599.7048, ricky.junquera@sierraclub.org
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Today, over a dozen faith leaders and clean energy advocates marched through downtown Indianapolis, stopping at Indianapolis Power and Light’s (IPL) Headquarters, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s Office, and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). The group of marchers carried with them a letter signed by over 50 faith leaders and activists against the rate hike; they delivered the letter to the mayor, IPL and the IURC.
IPL’s current rate hike request fails to protect Indianapolis area families already struggling to pay high electricity bills. IPL’s monthly bills have already increased 45% during the last decade for the average customer, even though incomes in Indianapolis declined by 8%. Now, IPL is seeking to further increase customer bills by requesting an increase to the fixed charges on bills from $17 to $27. Increasing customers’ monthly fixed charges takes more money out of customers’ paychecks each month, even before using any electricity.
Faith Leaders’ Letter reads as follows:
“We, clergy and faith leaders, ask you to oppose Indianapolis Power & Light’s (IPL) fixed fee increase request in Cause Number 45029.
“During his first official mass as Pope in 2013, Pope Francis preached:
‘Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be “protectors” of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.’ -Pope Francis, 2013
“We believe that IPL, as a regulated utility monopoly in Indiana, and charged with serving the public interest, should act as protectors of our community. To do so, we believe that the electricity we use in Indianapolis and across Indiana should be affordable and generated by wind and solar.
“IPL’s current rate hike request fails to protect Indianapolis area families who are already struggling to pay high electricity bills. IPL’s monthly bills have already increased 45% during the last decade for the average customer, even though incomes in Indianapolis declined by 8%.
“Meanwhile, IPL continues to fail to protect the environment and by asking customers to bail out the super-polluting Petersburg Generating Station, a coal-burning power plant that is hurting the planet and Hoosier health. Research even shows that phasing out, not bailing out, Petersburg could save customers over eighty million dollars while protecting public health and protecting against further environmental devastation.
“To act as protectors of our community, IPL should take immediate action against poverty and pollution; problems that IPL helped create--but could also help solve. IPL should create programs and policies that set affordable rates for low-income customers. Every IPL customer should live in safety and dignity, without fear of utility shutoffs. As a summary of the NAACP Lights Out in the Cold report states, ‘humans have a right to safe, affordable, sustainable power. [Utilities]… should ensure access to electricity for all people.” IPL also should begin to phase out Petersburg and move Indianapolis towards 100% renewable energy.”
Two hearings are being held on IPL's request to raise our electric bills:
HEARING 1: Monday, April 23, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Arsenal Tech High School (Anderson Hall), 1500 E Michigan Street, Indianapolis IN 46202
HEARING 2: Monday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: New Augusta North Middle School (Auditorium), 6450 Rodebaugh Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.