INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Indiana utility officials won't seek money from utility trade groups to help pay for a conference of energy regulators from 14 states despite gaining clearance from the Indiana ethics commission.
 
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission chairman Jim Atterholt tells The Indianapolis Star the agency will either host next year's conference without funding from trade associations that include Indiana utilities or the event will be canceled.
 
Consumer groups had objected to the fundraising, saying it presented conflicts of interest.
 
A utility commission member had said money wouldn't be sought from Indiana utilities under the plan approved Wednesday by the ethics panel.
 
Atterholt says the commission was put in a difficult position because the Mid-America Regulatory Conference has been sponsored by utility groups for many years.