(Southeastern IN) – If you are an Ohio Valley Gas (OVG) customer, you are invited to comment on the utility’s proposed rate increase.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), is reviewing the utility’s request and is scheduled to file testimony on May 15.
While using its legal and technical resources to analyze the request, including examining the utility’s books and operations, the OUCC is inviting written comments from customers through May 8.
OVG is proposing a two-step $12 million (35%) increase in its annual operating revenues. According to its filing, the utility is making the request due to infrastructure improvements and higher operating and maintenance costs.
The utility’s testimony and exhibits show that its request, when fully implemented in September 2025, would raise total residential natural gas charges for the Texas Gas service area of Dearborn, Franklin, Ripley, Fayette, Union, Perry and Spencer counties as follows:
| Monthly Usage | Current Bill | Proposed Bill |
| 20 therms | $32.74 | $45.12 |
| 50 therms | $60.05 | $79.15 |
| 100 therms | $105.55 | $135.85 |
OVG’s residential gas bills for the Texas Gas service area includes a monthly $14.54 customer service charge which does not vary based on usage. It would rise to $22.43 under the utility’s request. The remainder of the bill varies by customer usage.
The current base rates received IURC approval in October 2017. Total billing amounts have varied since then due to changes in wholesale commodity costs along with incremental increases to pay for specific infrastructure and federally mandated costs as allowed by Indiana law.
Base distribution rates comprise 50% of a typical customer’s residential natural gas bill. They cover “non-gas” costs such as operating and maintenance expenses and capital infrastructure improvements. The remainder of a typical monthly bill pays for the natural gas itself, which the utility recovers on a dollar-for-dollar basis subject to OUCC review and IURC approval every three months.
OVG provides natural gas service to approximately 28,500 customers across 16 southern and east-central Indiana counties.
A settlement agreement is possible in any legal proceeding. If an agreement is reached, the settling parties are required to present evidence showing it to be in the public interest. The IURC may approve, deny, or modify any settlement it considers.
A final Commission order is expected this fall.
Public Comment Opportunities
Consumers who wish to submit written comments for the case record may do so via the OUCC’s website at www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm, by email at [email protected], or by mail at:
Public Comments
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH
Indianapolis, IN 46204
The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than May 8 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, city, & zip code, and a reference to either “IURC Cause No. 46011” or Ohio Valley Gas Rates. Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.
In addition, the IURC has scheduled a public field hearing in this case for Thursday, April 18, at Roberts Park – James Roberts Memorial Building at 9 Park Road in Connersville beginning at 6 p.m.
No final decisions about the case will be made at the hearing, which is required by state law.
The OUCC is posting case updates online at www.in.gov/oucc/natural-gas/key-cases-by-utility/ohio-valley-gas-rates/. Case updates are also available through the agency’s monthly electronic newsletter. Consumers can subscribe at www.in.gov/oucc/news.
