August 11, or 8/11, is National 811 Day. It's an annual reminder to either call 811 or fill out the form at Indiana811.org before doing any digging on your property. State law requires anyone who plans to dig to contact 811 at least 2 business days before starting the project. It costs nothing to have your property marked for underground utility lines. But hitting a line can be very costly, or even fatal. Markings are valid for 20 days. |
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Have you ever wondered about the line items on your electric bill? Examples may include the customer service charge or the "MISO Cost Adjustment." The OUCC frequently receives consumer questions like these, & we have put together a brief video that answers these questions along with more insight on the bill. |
The IURC has scheduled a prehearing conference and preliminary hearing for Aug. 17, 2022 on the OUCC's data reporting request. In its petition, the OUCC is asking the Commission to require monthly reports from large & mid-sized utilities regarding disconnections & delinquent bills. Reporting would continue through 2024 under the agency's request. |
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A settlement agreement in the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) gas rate case has received IURC approval. The agreement allows for an increase of approximately $71.8 million, a decrease of $37.9 million from the utility's $109.7 million request. The monthly residential customer service charge will rise from $13.83 to $16.33, rather than the $24.50 amount the utility requested. The OUCC, industrial customers, & NIPSCO negotiated the agreement, with no formal parties in opposition. |
ADDITIONAL CASE UPDATES
- 57 utilities have received IURC approval to decrease rates to reflect this year's repeal of the Utility Receipts Tax by the Indiana General Assembly. The OUCC reviewed each filing to ensure its accuracy and that it meets the law's requirements. Only one objection is pending before the IURC, with the OUCC raising concerns about Indiana American Water Company's request.
- The OUCC has filed a motion to reconsider the Commission's recent order approving CenterPoint Energy's proposed new power plant. The order approved a $334 million cost estimate for the plant. However, information has more recently come to light regarding an additional $78 million that had not been disclosed.
- OUCC testimony on CenterPoint Energy's request to securitize costs for the A.B. Brown generating station is due on Aug. 3, 2022.
- The OUCC is scheduled to file testimony on Aug. 17, 2022 on NIPSCO's Michigan City coal ash remediation plan. Consumer comments are invited through the end of the day on Aug. 10, 2022.
- New rates for St. Anthony Water Utilities have received Commission approval.
- OUCC analysts are scheduled to file testimony this month on rate requests from Brown County Water Utility & South Bend Municipal Water.
- The IURC evidentiary hearing on the American Suburban Utilities rate request started in July & is scheduled to resume on Aug. 19, 2022. Closing arguments from the utility & OUCC will be filed in the coming weeks.
- The OUCC’s closing brief in the Community Utilities of Indiana (CUII) rate case is due on Aug. 25, 2022.
 Interested in joining the OUCC team? We have openings for an attorney, accountants, & engineers.
Kudos!
Cynthia (Cindy) Armstrong has been promoted to Chief Technical Advisor in the OUCC's Electric Division. Ms. Armstrong has more than 15 years of experience with the agency and specializes in utility cost recovery related to environmental matters. She has worked on hundreds of cases during her tenure.
Anthony Swinger has been promoted to Executive Director of Technical Operations. Mr. Swinger has served the OUCC since 2000 and was most recently the OUCC’s External Affairs Director.
Olivia Rivera has been promoted to External Affairs Director. Ms. Rivera has been with the OUCC since 2019.
Congratulations to Cindy, Anthony, and Olivia on their new positions!
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