A state agency is recommending denial of CenterPoint Energy’s request for a natural gas rate increase for those in the Vectren North service territory, which includes Seymour.
On March 31, seven witnesses from the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, which represents customers’ interests in rate cases, filed testimony with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in this case.
The OUCC is recommending denial of Vectren North’s request.
“This case’s evidence demonstrates that the utility has made significant investments in infrastructure improvements in recent years, which were needed to improve the gas distribution system’s safety and reliability. However, the evidence demonstrates savings and opportunities for savings that more than offset the need for the requested rate increase,” Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor Bill Fine said in an official statement.
Vectren North’s request would raise annual revenues by $20.8 million in two phases. The utility’s testimony states that the request is due to higher operating and maintenance costs and $818 million in infrastructure investments since 2008.
The OUCC stated the agency’s analysis shows a rate reduction of $26.9 million is “justified based on the case’s current evidence and applicable law.”
Their recommendations include reducing monthly fixed charges on residential natural gas bills from $17.59 to $12, rather than raising these charges to the requested $21.50.
The utility’s rebuttal testimony is due May 3. An IURC evidentiary hearing is scheduled to start May 24. A final IURC order is expected later this year.
CenterPoint serves parts of Jackson County, including the Seymour area.
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For information about the Vectren North rate case, visit in.gov/oucc/featured-topics/vectren-north-gas-rates.
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Vectren is a wholly owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy.
CenterPoint announced in early March that it will retire the Vectren name and transition over to using the CenterPoint name and logo for customers in both Indiana and Ohio.
The company stated the transition will be gradual and includes updating the name and logo on various company assets, such as buildings, trucks and uniforms.
The plan is for the transition to be finished in late April with the addition of CenterPoint Energy’s name and logo on customer-facing assets, such as the bill, website and automated phone system.
Customers should still visit vectren.com to access account information online and call 800-227-1376 to report emergencies or reach company representatives.
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