Mrvan Introduces Bill to Address Rising Utility Costs

U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan has introduced federal legislation aimed at protecting Northwest Indiana residents and other American consumers from higher electricity costs resulting from orders that require aging power plants to remain operational or reopen after being permanently closed.

The legislation, known as the Utility Affordability and Transparency Act, was introduced October 2, 2026, as H.R. 10687. It seeks to prevent federal taxpayers and utility customers from bearing additional expenses associated with maintaining or reopening facilities that utility companies have determined are too expensive or no longer economical to operate.

The proposal comes as households throughout Northwest Indiana continue to face concerns about the affordability of electricity, natural gas and other essential services.

Under the legislation, the U.S. Department of Energy would be prohibited from issuing certain emergency orders that delay the scheduled retirement of power plants or require electricity generation from facilities that have already permanently closed.

The measure also would establish additional requirements for evaluating and publicly disclosing the financial costs associated with federal intervention in electricity generation decisions.

Mrvan, who represents Indiana’s 1st Congressional District, said consumers deserve greater accountability when government actions contribute to rising household utility costs.

“Northwest Indiana residents are struggling to make ends meet, and a major part of that burden is the cost of heating and cooling their homes,” Mrvan said. “Consumers deserve transparency about what is driving their utility costs and what can be done to lower them.”

A central provision of the legislation would require the Department of Energy to find alternatives to emergency orders that could reduce overall costs to consumers and electric utilities.

The department also would be required to publish reports detailing the estimated expenses associated with emergency orders affecting electricity generation.

Another provision would require affected utility companies to identify additional costs resulting from federal emergency orders on customers’ monthly electricity bills.

The requirement would give consumers a clearer understanding of whether a portion of their electricity charges resulted from federal decisions rather than ordinary utility operating expenses.

The proposed legislation follows an ongoing dispute between Northwest Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) and federal directives requiring coal-fired generating units to remain available for operation.

In June, Mrvan challenged a Department of Energy order affecting the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield, Indiana. In a letter to federal officials, he cited approximately $11.5 million in estimated losses reported by NIPSCO following earlier emergency orders.

The Department of Energy has defended its actions, maintaining that keeping coal-fired generating facilities available is necessary to preserve electric grid reliability and reduce the possibility of power shortages and blackouts. Federal officials issued additional orders affecting Indiana generating stations in September.

The competing positions highlight a central question in the national energy debate: how to maintain a dependable electricity supply without imposing unnecessary financial burdens on customers.

Mrvan maintains that consumers should not be responsible for additional costs when federal decisions override planned power plant retirements.

“Hardworking families should not be forced to pay higher utility rates because the federal government is requiring energy companies to reopen or keep outdated coal-fired generating units operating beyond their planned retirement,” Mrvan said.

The congressman said greater transparency would help residents understand how government energy policies affect their monthly expenses.

The legislation would not immediately reduce electricity rates. Its proposed restrictions and disclosure requirements would first have to receive congressional approval and become law.

For Northwest Indiana residents, the issue carries particular significance as concerns continue over utility affordability and the financial impact of federal energy decisions.

Mrvan said the legislation is intended to establish accountability before additional expenses are imposed on consumers.

“Families deserve to know where government policies are increasing their bills, why those costs are being imposed, and what alternatives exist to lower them.”

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives. Its ultimate consideration and potential amendment remain subject to further congressional action.