(INDIANAPOLIS) - Governor Mike Braun has replaced the chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission just days after criticizing regulators for approving an AES Indiana rate increase.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports Braun removed former state senator Andy Zay as chairman Monday and named Commissioner Anthony Swinger to lead the agency.
"Affordability is my top priority and I am confident Chairman Swinger will deliver on that priority for Hoosiers," Braun said in a statement posted on X.
Zay will remain on the five-member commission, which oversees major utility companies and regulates electric, natural gas, water and other utility rates across Indiana.
The leadership change comes less than a week after the commission approved roughly $70 million in new annual revenue for AES Indiana. The utility had sought a rate increase totaling about $193 million. Braun publicly called for the case to be reheard, saying regulators should take a closer look at the request and consider additional reductions.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports Zay was one of three commissioners who voted in favor of the AES decision. Swinger did not participate in the vote because of his previous work on the case with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor.
The shakeup may not be the only change at the commission. Commissioner David Veleta posted on LinkedIn that he is "ready for what's next" after 17 years with the agency, including four years as a commissioner. Neither Veleta nor Braun's office has confirmed whether he has resigned.
Braun appointed Zay, Swinger and former state senator Bob Deig to the commission in December. Zay resigned from the Indiana Senate in January to assume the regulatory post.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission determines whether utilities can recover costs from customers and what rates they are allowed to charge Indiana consumers.