In their first ever visit to Afternoons with Amos, representatives of Indianapolis electric utility, Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL), were hammed with numerous concerns, questions and sharp disagreements from listeners about practices and pricing of their electric service. Brandi Davis-Handy, Director of External Communications for Indianapolis Power and Light and Leah Brown, Head of IPL’s Customer Service Center appeared on Afternoons with Amos to discuss their company, their policies, pricing and community concerns. High on the list was listener and community concern about electric rates. Even though IPL says their rates are lower than electric utilities in other major cities, many listeners expressed strong concern.
Brandi Davis-Handy, Dir External Communications, IPL
IPL said their plans to reduce dependence on their coal burning (fired) plants would cost more money in the short term. They’ve requested rate increases from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. But despite IPL’s plans to burn cleaner energy, several callers were concerned about increased prices. Other callers demanded IPL do more to reduce its use of coal, citing the opposition of IPL’s coal plants by the Indiana State NAACP. But, listeners werereally angry about IPL’s plans to charge every customer an additional 44 cents a month to cover the costs of providing electric charging stations and infrastructure for the Blue Indy electric rental car program being introduced by a French company Bollore. Amos and listeners expressed strong disagreement with every IPL customer paying a cost that those renting the electric cars should pay. The interview also showed the disconnect and lack of information and understanding many in the community have about IPL programs and practices.