Consumer News... For You! The OUCC's July 2018 Newsletter
State of Indiana sent this bulletin at 07/05/2018 09:35 AM EDT
JULY 2018
There is such a thing as overwatering the lawn, even on the hottest days. July is Smart Irrigation Month, an annual, nationwide reminder to follow the best practices for using the right amount of water. If you water, the best time is usually between 4 and 8 in the morning to minimize evaporation and keep the lawn healthy. But all consumers should follow the advice and requests of their water utilities when there's a particular need to conserve. Our website, Purdue University, and the National Irrigation Association offer additional tips and resources.
VECTREN GENERATION CASE An IURC hearing on Vectren's electric generation plan is set for Wednesday, July 11 in Evansville. Vectren's proposal includes building a new gas-fired power plant, retiring 4 of its 5 coal-fired generating units by 2023, installing new emissions technology to keep the remaining coal-fired unit in service, and recovering the costs through electric rates in the future. The July 11 hearing starts at 6:00 p.m. local time at the University of Southern Indiana Performance Center. Consumers can also send written comments to the OUCC by August 3. Vectren's natural gas rates are not at issue in the case.
UPDATES
Customers of most Indiana investor-owned utilities have received rate reductions or will in the near future, due to the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The OUCC, industrial customers, and Duke Energy recently filed a settlement agreement in the IURC's investigation of the new federal law's effects on utility rates. An agreement in principle has also been reached with IPL. Most additional utilities have either reduced rates or agreed to do so in the investigation's first phase. We're posting regular updates on the OUCC's website.
The IURC evidentiary hearing in the IPL rate case is scheduled to start on July 16. A final Commission order is still expected either later this year or in early 2019.
WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS Two members of the OUCC team spoke at last month's mid-year meeting of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) in Minneapolis. Tiffany Murray (above) participated in a panel discussion on the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), focusing on its benefits for utility consumers. Ms. Murray is the OUCC's lead attorney in the IURC's TCJA investigation. Edward Kaufman (right), our Water/Wastewater Division's Assistant Director, moderated a panel on the proliferation of rate mechanisms and trackers, which utilities use to adjust rates for specific purposes between rate cases. Mr. Kaufman chairs NASUCA's Water Committee. The OUCC is one of more than 40 state utility consumer advocates in NASUCA and continues to work actively through the organization, sharing best practices with its peers and staying current on trends in the electric, natural gas, and water/wastewater industries.
OUR MISSION To represent all Indiana consumers to ensure quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education, and creative problem solving.