Consumer News... For You! June 2022

State of Indiana sent this bulletin at 06/02/2022 02:53 PM EDT
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)

The first day of summer is just around the corner, along with more electric usage. Here are a few ways to save:  

  • Set ceiling fans to run counterclockwise.
  • Use your exhaust fan only when necessary.
  • Replace old lightbulbs with LED lights.
  • Use blackout curtains on windows.
  • Wait until night to do laundry.

Want more tips? Check out the full list on our website.

 Summer Savings - Energy Efficiency
Tax Relief

OUCC attorneys & analysts are reviewing rate reduction filings from 55 utilities. The decreases will take effect in July, due to the elimination of the state's Utility Receipts Tax. Indiana lawmakers repealed the tax during this year's session as part of the largest tax cut in state history. The OUCC is reviewing the proposed rate adjustments to ensure they are calculated correctly & that the reductions are properly applied to both fixed & volumetric charges.

Consumer comments are invited through July 27, 2022, on CenterPoint Energy's electric securitization proposal. Securitization has been used in other states to mitigate rates for power plants & other assets that are no longer in use, but still not paid off. It works by refinancing bonds at dramatically lower interest rates. The CenterPoint Energy request is the first of its kind in Indiana, with the OUCC scheduled to complete its review & file testimony on Aug. 3, 2022. 

 Centrepoint Securitization Case

ADDITIONAL CASE UPDATES

 

Energy

  • A public field hearing request on NIPSCO's Michigan City coal ash compliance proposal is pending before the IURC. Written public comments are also invited.
  • OUCC testimony in the AES Indiana Eagle Valley Station case is due in late August. 
  • OUCC analysts & attorneys recently filed testimony recommending a significant reduction to Community Natural Gas Company's rate request. The utility provides service in 10 southern Indiana counties.

Water/Wastewater

  • An IURC evidentiary hearing in the Community Utilities of Indiana (CUII) rate case is set for June 28, 2022. The OUCC is recommending approval of only half of the utility's original water & sewer rate request. CUII provides service in 4 northwest Indiana counties.
  • American Suburban Utilities has filed rebuttal testimony reducing its requested monthly sewer rate from $99.66 to $88.89. The Tippecanoe County utility's current rate is $59.08 with the OUCC recommending denial of its proposal. The case's evidentiary hearing, originally set for June 2, 2022, has been rescheduled to July 28, 2022.
  • South Bend Municipal Water & Brown County Water Utility, Inc. filed new rate cases in May. Consumer comments are invited with updates available on the OUCC website.
We are hiring!

The OUCC is seeking an accountant who is committed to public service & wants to be part of a focused, dedicated team. Our analysts & lawyers participate in more than 300 cases involving electric, natural gas, & water/wastewater utilities each year. You can learn more on the Indiana State Personnel Department's website.

After a career including more than 35 years of government & utility experience, Barbara Smith is retiring at the end of June. Barbara joined the OUCC as an analyst in 2006 and was promoted to Director of the agency's Resource Planning, Emerging Technologies, & Telecommunications Division in 2009. She has served as the OUCC's Executive Director, Technical Operations since 2015. Barbara's retirement plans include traveling, time with family, & home improvement projects. We thank Barbara for her many years of dedication & wish her all the best in her new chapter.

 Retirement
Understanding Your Electric Bill - Video

In case you missed it, we have produced a brief video with an overview of charges on a typical residential electric bill. The video answers many of the questions we regularly receive on electric bills, especially at this time of year as people begin to use air conditioning more frequently. Our website also has overviews on electric rates, natural gas rates, budget billing, & additional topics.