Investigate Utility Monopoly Abuses and Protect Residents Like Those in Gary, Indiana

Launch a federal investigation into utility monopoly abuses and introduce consumer protection legislation now. What is happening to residents in Gary, Indiana is a clear sign that unchecked utility monopolies are exploiting the people they are supposed to serve. The full story is documented here: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/08/gary-indiana-power-outage-nipsco-utility-corporate-greed-blame-blackout-power-outage-storm/ When a utility company faces zero competition, ratepayers have no recourse. They cannot switch providers, they cannot negotiate, and they cannot escape. Monopoly utilities answer to shareholders, not to the communities they hold captive, and without federal oversight, this pattern will keep spreading. Introduce legislation that mandates independent rate audits, strengthens state regulators' ability to penalize price gouging, and creates a federal pathway for residents to challenge monopoly abuses. The people of Gary deserve relief, and every American deserves protection from the same fate.