NIPSCO electric rate case hearing in Hammond December 12
Contributed By: The 411 News
Infrastructure projects, transition from coal to more renewable production drive rate hike
Indiana’s Utility Regulatory Commission and the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor have scheduled hearings in Hammond and Valparaiso to hear the public’s comments on NIPSCO’s request for a rate hike.
Natural gas rates are not at issue in this case.
The IURC’s public field hearings on NIPSCO’s request are scheduled for: Monday, December. 12, 2022, in Hammond at the Purdue University Northwest, Student Union and Library Building – Alumni Hall (2233 173rd St.) and on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, in Valparaiso at Valparaiso High School – Auditorium, (2727 North Campbell St.).
Each hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. local time. Consumers are encouraged to arrive by 5:45 p.m. for an overview of field hearing procedures and the rate case process.
NIPSCO’s request would raise monthly electric charges for an average residential customer – using 688 kilowatt hours (kWh) – from $107.78 to $127.21 under a two-phase increase taking effect in September 2023 and March 2024. The bill would then rise to $133.43 under a new “tracker,” or rate adjustment mechanism that would gradually raise rates beginning in July 2024.
NIPSCO’s electric utility provides service to more than 483,000 customers in 20 counties in northern Indiana.
In its testimony, the utility states it is seeking the increase due to numerous infrastructure projects, including the transition from its coal-fired generating fleet to more renewable electricity production.
Public comments are invited in writing through January 13, 2023. 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 uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov, or by mail at: Public Comments, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Several additional parties have intervened in this case, including the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Walmart, ChargePoint, United States Steel Corporation, NLMK Indiana, additional industrial customers (including Accurate Castings and Kingsbury Castings, BP Products North America, Cargill, Cleveland Cliffs Steel, Enbridge, Linde, Marathon, and USG), and municipal governments (including Schererville and Dyer). Any testimony they file is also due by January 20, 2023.
The OUCC is posting case updates online at www.in.gov/oucc/electric/key-cases-by-utility/nipsco-electric-rates/nipsco-electric-rate-case-20222023/. Case updates are also available through the agency’s monthly electronic newsletter. Consumers can subscribe at www.in.gov/oucc/news.
Story Posted:12/01/2022
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