Braun names 3 new members for Indiana utility oversight board
Gov. Mike Braun has said he wants his new picks for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to work to lower energy costs for Hoosier businesses and families.
Gov. Mike Braun has said he wants his new picks for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to work to lower energy costs for Hoosier businesses and families.
Westfield has asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to become a party to the case, which would allow the city to submit evidence and testimony and cross-examine the state’s largest electric utility about its rate increase request.
Indiana American Water, which serves about 1.3 million people, estimates it will replace all lead service lines by no later than 2042 and possibly as soon as 2028.
Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor Bill Fine is tasked with making sure Hoosier households and business aren’t overcharged for electricity, natural gas, water or wastewater.
Democrat Jared Evans said the council members are hoping to “raise awareness” about the issue and persuade state regulators to drastically reduce the amount IPL raises its rates, “if they don’t decline this altogether.”
The utility is asking state regulators for permission to increase the “fixed charge” on its 490,000 customers from $17 to $27 a month, and increase energy-usage charges also.
The five-person commission regulates $14 billion in electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer utilities. It approves utility projects and determines how much utilities can charge customers.
Rep. David Ober isn’t destined to remain a lawmaker. He’s asked the IURC Nominating Committee (four former legislators are among its seven members) for its consideration to fill the IURC vacancy.
James Atterholt, appointed chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in February, will step down next month, saying his wife has been offered a job transfer to Florida.
Duke Energy Corp.’s massive, $3.5 billion power plant in Edwardsport, billed as a technological marvel, continues to deal with operating and maintenance setbacks.
Jim Atterholt, a former lawmaker, most recently served as chief of staff to former Gov. Mike Pence. He is returning to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, where he previously served as chairman.
The appointee, Bill Fine, held an Indiana House seat representing northwest Indiana before losing the seat in the November election.
The utility says the move would allow it to keep burning coal at the Pike County plant and meet strict environmental regulations for sulfur dioxide and coal ash.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission hears hundreds of cases a year and regulates $14 billion worth of electric, natural gas, telecommunications, steam, water and sewer utilities.
Under a settlement Duke reached with consumer groups, customers will pick up $1.4 billion of the price tag, down from the $1.8 billion the utility originally sought.
IPL has filed petitions with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to install $100 million worth of pollution controls at Petersburg, a move it says will allow it to meet strict environmental regulations.
A seat on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has been open more than two months, despite a requirement that three candidate names be submitted to the governor within 40 days of the vacancy.
The average bill for Citizens residential customers in the nine-county metropolitan area would increase from about $30 a month to $35, the utility said.
The utility’s ad campaign comes as state regulators are considering Citizens’ request to raise water and sewer rates by double-digit percentages on about 400,000 customers.
Duke Energy’s settlement with four consumer and environmental groups likely means an end to all serious opposition to the $3.3 billion plant, one of the most expensive projects in Indiana history, which has been mired for years in controversy.