Indianapolis, In. — Back in 2012 the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission gave the South Eastern Indiana Natural Gas Company approval to increase their base distribution rates.
The pending request would raise its flat, monthly customer charge from $11.00 to $13.00 for residential customers and from $11.00 to $24.00 for small commercial customers. The impact on specific bills will vary by usage, with the utility requesting an overall rate increase of 17.8 percent.
The proposed increase, in this case, would only apply to the utility’s base distribution rates, which currently comprise approximately 65 percent of a typical residential natural gas customer’s monthly heating bill. Base distribution rates cover “non-gas” expenses such as capital improvements and the costs of operations and maintenance.
Along with its legal and technical review, the Indiana Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor is encouraging written consumer comments through March 21, 2018.
Mail:
Consumer Services Staff
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Email: [email protected]
Or Fax: 317- 232-5923
The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than March 21, 2018 so that it can: 1) Consider them in preparing its testimony and 2) File them with the Commission to be included in the case’s formal evidentiary record.
Comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to “IURC Cause No. 45027.” Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.
An IURC evidentiary hearing is scheduled to start on June 7, 2018 at the PNC Center (101 W. Washington St.) in Indianapolis. While evidentiary hearings are open to the public, participation is typically limited to attorney and Commission questioning of technical witnesses. A final decision in the case is expected later this year.
