State of Indiana sent this bulletin at 05/04/2021 08:57 PM EDT
10-DIGIT TRANSITION UNDERWAY
If your phone number starts with the 219 or 574 area code, you'll need to complete all local calls with 10 digits starting in October. A 6-month grace period is underway to help with the transition. Between now and Oct. 24, local calls in the 219 and 574 areas can be completed with either 7 or 10 digits.
An FCC order is requiring the dialing changes in parts of 35 states, to allow the three-digit 988 dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to take effect nationwide next year. The 317 and 812 area codes in central and southern Indiana moved to 10-digit dialing a few years ago due to dwindling number supplies.
ADDRESSING FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS
Indiana's 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force will continue its work for two additional years, under legislation recently authored by State Rep. Ed Soliday and signed by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb.
Utility Consumer Counselor Bill Fine will continue to serve on the task force as it studies a number of topics in the months ahead. Topics include recovery of stranded utility costs, customer fairness in utility rate structures, distributed energy resources, energy efficiency, storage technology research, and issues affecting low-income communities and communities of color. The task force's recommendations to the Governor and legislators are due by November 2022.
Under separate legislation, an additional task force is being created to examine the state's wastewater needs.
CASE UPDATES
The OUCC, CenterPoint Energy, and additional parties have reached a settlement agreement in the Vectren South gas rate case. The settlement is pending before the IURC, which may approve, deny, or modify any agreement it considers.
The IURC evidentiary hearing in the CenterPoint Energy/Vectren North gas rate case is scheduled to start on May 24.
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) has scheduled a May 20 virtual workshop on its integrated resource plan.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH
Every year, 51,000 home electrical fires in the US trigger $1.3 billion in property damage, while causing hundreds of fatalities and injuries. Those estimates from Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) show the importance of finding any hazards and getting them fixed quickly.
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.
