Consumer News... For You! August 2024

Customers of Eastern Heights Utilities have two opportunities to comment on the utility's pending water rate request.

1. In Writing: The OUCC is inviting written consumer comments through Sept. 11.

2. In Person: The IURC is holding a public field hearing on Sept. 5 at 6pm in the Bloomfield Middle & High School cafeteria, where customers can speak for the formal case record.

Eastern Heights Utilities is a not-for-profit entity providing service in Greene County and parts of surrounding counties. Its request would raise a monthly residential water bill for 4,000 gallons from $23.34 to $37.21. The OUCC is reviewing the proposal and is scheduled to file recommendations on Sept. 18.

The OUCC is recommending a 60 percent reduction to Duke Energy's pending rate request, with the agency's testimony saying an increase of less than $185 million is warranted based on the case's evidence and applicable law. The utility is requesting nearly $492 million in new, annual operating revenues.

Written public comments are invited through Aug. 22. The IURC has scheduled a public field hearing for Thursday, Aug. 8 in New Albany. Hearings have been held this summer in Terre Haute, Bloomington, and Fishers.

The IURC has approved a settlement agreement in the NIPSCO natural gas rate case, reducing the total increase by $41 million from the utility's request. Most of the approved increase will pay for infrastructure improvements throughout the utility's gas distribution system which received Commission approval in previous cases as state law allows. 

Each of the case's formal parties either signed on to the agreement or agreed not to oppose it. It will set the residential customer service charge at $16.50, the level where it was before the recent repeal of the state Utility Receipts Tax. It would have risen to $25.50 under NIPSCO’s initial request. The monthly small business customer charge will receive the same treatment and be set at $67.00, rather than the $96.00 amount the utility requested.

Electric rates and charges were not at issue in the case.

• The OUCC has filed testimony in the CenterPoint Energy electric rate case opposing the utility's settlement agreement with industrial customers. An IURC evidentiary hearing is scheduled to start on Sept. 3.
• OUCC testimony on AES Indiana's 2-year energy efficiency plan is due Aug. 23.
• Public comments are invited on the pending rate requests from South Eastern Indiana Natural Gas Co. and Indiana Utilities Corporation.
• Written comments are invited through Sept. 24  in the Elkhart municipal water rate case. OUCC testimony is due on Oct. 1. 
• The OUCC's closing brief in the American Suburban Utilities financing case is due Aug. 20.

August 11, or 8/11, is National 811 Day. It's an annual reminder to either call 811 or fill out the form at Indiana 811.org before doing any digging on your property. It costs nothing to have your property marked for underground utility lines. State law requires anyone who plans to dig to make the call or complete the form at least two complete business days before digging. It can be very costly, even fatal, to hit an underground line. Remember, too, that gas, electric, and water lines may not be buried as deeply as you might expect.

Interested in working for the OUCC? We have a current opening for an accountant. A bachelor's degree is required for this position, which will be posted for a limited time.

To represent all Indiana consumers to ensure quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education, & creative problem solving.

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