INDIANAPOLIS -- After releasing its plans on topics like marijuana, education and property taxes, the Jennifer McCormick/Terry Goodin gubernatorial campaign released its "common sense" utility affordability plan, aimed at lowering utility bills for Indiana residents. McCormick, Indiana's former state superintendent for public instruction, and Goodin, a former state lawmaker and educator, make up the Democratic ticket in November's race for Indiana governor. They will face U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Micah Beckwith on the Republican side as well as Donald Rainwater and Tonya Hudson on the Libertarian side. McCormick said in a news release unveiling the plan that the campaign wants to address rising utility costs that are hurting Hoosiers across the state. “Indiana families are struggling with soaring utility bills while utility monopolies continue to use ratepayer dollars to influence policy in their favor,” McCormick said in the release. “Our plan restores balance by prioritizing Hoosiers over utilities and will bring fairness back to our utility system.” FOX59/CBS4 to host gubernatorial debate before November’s general election The release said that the campaign is focusing on four reforms to help lower utility bills and protect consumers: Restoring net metering The campaign said that this would allow Hoosiers to sell electricity back to the grid for a credit on their utility bill at the same rate they purchase energy from it. Officials said this would foster competition, reduce utility costs, increase energy generation and encourage the adoption of renewable energy. Prohibiting misuse of ratepayer dollars The plan proposes a ban on utilities from using ratepayer dollars for lobbying, advertising, trade association dues and political contributions. The campaign said that this would ensure that the companies can not use the funds meant for services to increase their own profits. Prioritizing ratepayer advocates in the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission The campaign said they would appoint leaders to the IURC who are committed to advocating for ratepayers and ensuring the commission "operates with the same competitive pressure that would exist if utilities were not protected from competition." Lowering utility bills by investing in energy efficiency The campaign said they aim to reinstate the Energizing Indiana energy efficiency program, initially from the administration of former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, to help reduce energy consumption and energy bills for the state. “We’re putting Hoosiers first by restoring fairness and transparency to our utility system,” McCormick said in the release. “It’s time to stand up to the monopolistic utilities and ensure every Hoosier can afford their electricity bills.” During a news conference on Thursday morning, McCormick said that as she travels the state, the costs of utilities is one of the main issues that come up. McCormick said that utility rates are "skyrocketing" and she cannot overstate how much the topic is on the mind of Hoosiers, stressing that it's a "checkbook drain" for those trying to make ends meet. Specifically regarding net metering, McCormick said it is a "Hoosier-friendly policy," a policy that is responsible for taxpayers. When asked about how she would pass a net metering policy in the Indiana General Assembly, McCormick said that members of the Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana Senate need to ask why they are so reluctant to pass the policy, stressing that many say that it is just politics. If she becomes elected, McCormick said that she would work with the IURC to make sure the right people are at the table to take steps toward restoring a net metering program, stressing that it needs to be a bipartisan effort. In a statement from Rainwater, the Libertarian candidate for Indiana governor, he said that McCormick's plan "misses the mark" in two areas: more government interference in the free market and not addressing the elimination of sales tax on Indiana utilities. "The first step to making utilities more affordable for Hoosiers would be for the state of Indiana to stop charging Hoosiers 7% for utilities," Rainwater said in the statement. "The next step would be to do a detailed assessment of the state regulations that restrict market competition for utilities. "I see no real interest from Dr. McCormick other than to increase government interference and drive up costs," Rainwater's statement concluded. According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, Hoosiers are able to register to vote for the 2024 General Election through Oct. 7. For more information on how Indiana residents are able to register to vote, click here.