Consumer News... For You! December 2021

State of Indiana sent this bulletin at 12/01/2021 02:15 PM EST
OUCC December 2021 Newsletter
Winter Heating Season

Higher heating costs are projected this winter, but it is not too late to prepare. Getting a furnace tune-up, changing the filter, & making sure rugs & furniture are not blocking your vents are 3 of the steps you can take now. 

If you have concerns about your bills, contact your utilities now to make payment arrangements. If you need financial assistance, the state's 211 helpline is available around the clock.

A pending settlement in the Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) rate case would reduce base rates while keeping the monthly residential customer charge at $15.00. The OUCC, additional consumer parties, several municipalities, & I&M recently filed the agreement with the IURC, along with supporting testimony. A Commission order will be issued in 2022.

 Indiana Michigan Power
CenterPoint Energy

Settlement agreements in CenterPoint Energy's gas rate cases have received Commission approval. The agreements will reduce monthly fixed charges on residential bills in the utility's North & South service territories. Both cases focused on base rates, which cover operating, maintenance, & infrastructure costs. Wholesale natural gas costs are reviewed quarterly in separate cases.

ADDITIONAL CASE UPDATES 

Electric/Natural Gas

  • The OUCC has filed testimony recommending denial of CenterPoint Energy's proposal to build a new power plant in Posey County. The analysis from OUCC staff shows that a conversion of the A. B. Brown facility's coal-fired generation units to natural gas would be more cost-effective while meeting customer needs for reliable electricity.
  • Consumer comments are invited through Jan. 13 in the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) gas rate case.
  • Duke Energy has filed a six-year infrastructure improvement plan including approximately $1.9 billion in proposed projects. The OUCC expects to file testimony in mid-February.
  • The IURC has granted the OUCC's request for a subdocket to closely examine costs & issues pertaining to the AES Indiana Eagle Valley Generating Station outage. A procedural schedule will be set in January.
  • A recently approved settlement among the OUCC, industrial customers, & AES Indiana will save ratepayers more than $17 million. The agreement focuses on accounting treatment of savings from the utility's planned retirement of 2 units at its Petersburg Generating Station.

Water/Wastewater

If you're decorating, be sure to check light strands for any worn cords or loose bulbs. Don't use lights that are damaged & read the manufacturer's instructions for important safety information. The National Fire Protection Association & U.S. Department of Energy offer additional tips.  

 Energy Safety
Join Our Team

If you are committed to public service & want to be part of a great team, we may have the opportunity you are looking for. The OUCC has current openings for an attorney & a federal utility analyst. Accounting openings will also be posted in the near future. Job opportunities at the OUCC & additional state agencies are posted at workforindiana.in.gov.  

KUDOS!

Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor Bill Fine will serve an additional year as Vice President of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA).

Arthur Iler, the OUCC's Deputy Consumer Counselor for Federal Affairs, was recently elected to the Executive Committee of the Consumer Advocates of the PJM States. CAPS represents more than 65 million consumers in 13 states, advocating for reasonable wholesale electric prices. PJM is one of two regional transmission operators serving Indiana, along with the Carmel, Ind.-based Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).