Gaslit: The Power of Story — Season 1, Episode 10

In this episode of Gaslit, we speak with organizers from Direct Action Against CenterPoint Energy, a community-driven group that formed after residents across southern Indiana began experiencing sudden, extreme increases in their utility bills.

This conversation traces how a grassroots Facebook group became a source of shared education, mutual aid, and civic engagement—helping thousands of residents understand how utility pricing works, why bills have risen so dramatically, and where accountability actually lies.

We discuss:

• How residents first realized something was wrong when bills doubled with no change in usage
• The hidden labor required to access utility assistance
• Why shutoffs create cascading harm for families, seniors, and children
• The role of legislation, regulation, and monopoly structure in rising costs
• Why education and storytelling have become survival tools
• The growing concern over data centers, infrastructure expansion, and long-term affordability
• Why no one should ever lose power in silence

This episode centers lived experience, civic literacy, and the reality that electricity is not a luxury—it is a basic necessity.

Resources & Links

• Direct Action Against CenterPoint Energy resources and updates:https://linktr.ee/daace

If you or someone you know is struggling with utility bills, assistance resources are discussed in the episode and may also be found through local community action programs and the United Way 2-1-1 system.