# Indiana Governor Podcast: Governor Braun Signs Landmark Utility Bill HEA 1002 to Lower Bills
**Episode Description:**
Join host Marc on the Indiana Governor Podcast as we break down Governor Mike Braun's major move to tackle skyrocketing utility bills affecting Hoosiers. In this episode, we discuss the ceremonial signing of House Enrolled Act 1002 on April 6th and what it means for Indiana consumers.
Learn how HEA 1002 completely overhauls Indiana's utility regulation system by introducing performance-based ratemaking—a game-changing approach that shifts utilities from guaranteed returns to accountability based on customer bills and service quality. Starting July 1st, utility companies must file three-year rate plans with rate increase requests evaluated against inflation and power restoration times.
Discover the key protections in this bipartisan legislation, including:
- Lower-income assistance programs
- More consistent and predictable billing
- New safeguards against power shutoffs during extreme heat (95°F+)
- Consumer accountability measures ensuring utilities maintain reasonable returns while prioritizing affordability
Hear Governor Braun's stance on balancing consumer protection with utility viability, and explore what experts and advocates say about the law's real-world impact. We'll also cover the new Utility Consumer Counselor appointment and ratepayer-focused commissioners tasked with implementing this landmark legislation.
**Keywords:** Indiana utilities, HEA 1002, utility bills, Governor Braun, utility regulation, performance-based ratemaking, Indiana Statehouse, Hoosier consumers
*A Quiet Please Production*
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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18 mins