AES Cancels Community Open House After Threats

Utility company cites safety concerns for employees and customers

Mar. 3, 2026 at 9:50pm

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AES Indiana has canceled a planned community open house event, citing threats made against the company and its employees. The open house was scheduled to allow customers to speak directly with AES representatives about high utility bills, but was abruptly canceled just an hour before it was set to begin.

Why it matters

The cancellation comes one day after it was announced that AES Indiana and Ohio are being purchased by a consortium led by BlackRock, transitioning the public utility company into a private business. The open house was intended to be a chance for the community to engage with AES, but threats against the company and its employees have now forced its postponement.

The details

AES Indiana had planned the community open house to allow customers to speak one-on-one with company employees about high utility bill costs. However, roughly an hour before the event was scheduled to start, AES announced it would be rescheduled "due to threats." The company stated that the "safety of our people, community partners, and customers in attendance is our number one priority."

  • The community open house was planned for 5:30 p.m. on March 3, 2026 at the OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA on Lafayette Road.
  • The open house cancellation was announced about an hour before the event was scheduled to begin.

The players

AES Indiana

A public utility company that provides electricity and natural gas services to customers in Indiana.

BlackRock

A global investment management corporation that is leading a consortium to purchase AES Indiana and Ohio, transitioning the public utility into a private business.

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What they’re saying

“The safety of our people, community partners, and customers in attendance is our number one priority. Thank you for your understanding.”

— AES Indiana

What’s next

AES Indiana has not provided details on when the rescheduled community open house event will take place.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges utilities face in engaging with the public, especially during times of transition like the acquisition of a public utility by private investors. The reported threats underscore the need for companies to prioritize safety and security when hosting community events.