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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have acknowledged confirmation that the system is fully operational.

INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Energy Group has confirmed for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management that the DigIndy Tunnel System is fully operational and meets all federal and state regulatory requirements. After more than 14 years of construction and collaboration, the completion of construction at the end of 2025 marks a new era for water quality and community health in Central Indiana.

Construction photography, archival news footage from a years-long construction timeline, and Indianapolis stakeholder interviews are all available in a comprehensive video recap of the program at the bottom of this release and on the DigIndy webpage.

Stretching 28 miles beneath the city at a depth of 250 feet, the DigIndy Tunnel System is designed to capture and divert combined sewer overflows—an estimated 5 billion gallons annually—away from local rivers and streams and into treatment facilities for safe release. Since phased activation began, nearly 8 billion gallons of sewage have already been prevented from entering Indianapolis waterways.

“This project began as a vision, became a challenge, and now stands as a testament to what our community can achieve together,” said Jeffrey Harrison, President and CEO of Citizens Energy Group. “We have cut the ribbon on DigIndy construction, and we celebrate not just the end of an infrastructure project, but the beginning of a legacy.”

The completion of DigIndy construction brings visible improvements to water quality throughout Indianapolis. Residents and visitors can now experience cleaner rivers and creeks, with opportunities for recreation and connection that were once out of reach. Community members, contractor partners, and Citizens employees gathered last October at White River State Park to mark the completion of construction at a ribbon-cutting celebration which included a canoe float to see firsthand the difference DigIndy has made.

Beyond its technical achievements, DigIndy’s legacy includes thousands of jobs created for Central Indiana during the program’s lifespan as well as ongoing community projects such as the 10 Thousand Trees initiative and the Citizens Art Project. These efforts, together with the tunnel system, will continue to shape the health and vitality of Indianapolis for generations to come.

With construction complete, the DigIndy program is now fully operational and in a period of post-construction monitoring, which will be followed by ongoing operation and maintenance.

Learn more about the DigIndy Tunnel System and its impact at the DigIndy webpage of the Citizens Energy Group website.

Tracy Barnes, Technology Executive at Workday, Named to Board of Directors

INDIANAPOLIS – Tracy Barnes, a technology executive at Workday, has been named to Citizens Energy Group’s Board of Directors. Selected by the Citizens Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors has primary oversight of the management team and long-term direction of the company. Barnes is filling a board seat recently vacated by Moira Carlstedt, who served on Citizens Board of Directors for more than 14 years.

Barnes recently joined Workday as their State government, Local government and Higher Education (SLED) Field CTO providing public sector expertise, insights, and leadership for their sales strategy, delivery models, and product innovation. In his role, he works with multiple government entities through their modernization journey, cloud investment, and AI adoption for their enterprise operations.

Previously, Barnes served as Indiana’s Chief Information Officer, appointed by Governor Eric J. Holcomb in March 2020. He also served as Chief of Staff for the Lieutenant Governor and as Deputy Auditor and IT Director for the Indiana Auditor of State.

As Indiana’s CIO, Barnes sat on the Governor’s Cabinet overseeing the Indiana Office of Technology and provided strategic oversight of the State’s technology portfolio, as well as leadership on technology, cybersecurity policy and broadband expansion. Barnes also served as the Co-Chair for the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity and served as an ex-officio member of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force created by legislation in the 2024 legislative session.

Before joining the public sector, Barnes held the role of President and Chief Executive Officer for ENTAP, Inc., an IT consulting services firm that designed and delivered effective enterprise-focused information technology solutions to organizations in various industries across the globe.

Barnes holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Butler University and a Master of Science in cybersecurity law from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He also holds a certificate in Building A High-Performing Minority Business from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Citizens President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison said, “I am pleased to welcome Tracy Barnes to the Citizens Energy Group Board of Directors. His extensive background in technology and cybersecurity and his forward‑thinking leadership approach will be great assets to the board and to Citizens as a whole. As we welcome Tracy, I also want to express my great appreciation to Moira Carlstedt for more than 14 years of unwavering leadership on the board.”

Willman’s Career Spans 36 Years in Utility Management, Including 18 Years at Citizens

INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Energy Group announced today that Jeff Willman has been named Senior Vice President, Operations. Willman’s promotion comes as Senior Vice President & Chief Customer Officer Mike Strohl prepares to retire after more than 26 years with the utility.

Willman’s professional background includes more than 36 years in utility management, of which he has spent 18 years in leadership at Citizens. In his previous role as Vice President Water Operations, Willman led the team of 340+ employees responsible for the daily operation of Citizens water and wastewater utilities.

Willman began his career at Citizens as Director Utility System Management in 2007. He subsequently served as Director of Sales & Marketing; Director Customer Relations & Governmental Affairs; and Executive Director Water & Wastewater before assuming the Vice President Water Operations role in January 2015.

Willman holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from University of Evansville and a Master of Business Administration from Butler University. He is a graduate of the Darden Executive Leadership Program at University of Virginia, the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Program, and the Center for Creative Leadership. He is also a founding member and 10-year chair of the Central Indiana Drinking Water Collaborative and serves as chair of the National Association of Water Companies - Indiana Chapter.

Additionally, Willman is a member of the United Way of Central Indiana’s Tocqueville Society and has served on numerous Indy Chamber committees and the boards of Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, and the Warren Township School Building Corporation.

Citizens President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison said, “I am pleased to have Jeff join the senior leadership team at Citizens Energy Group. The depth and breadth of his utility-management experience cannot be understated, and his commitment to fostering collaboration and prioritizing operational excellence will benefit the entire Trust.”

Prior to joining Citizens, Willman spent 18 years at AES Indiana (formerly Indianapolis Power & Light). He also served as Vice President Business Development for 316 Investment LLC, where he was responsible for the growth of franchise restaurants in Indiana and South Carolina.