Twin Lakes Water/Sewer Rate Case
On January 16, 2008, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) issued an order in the Twin Lakes Utilities water and sewer rate case (Cause No. 43128). A copy of the 49-page order is available in PDF format by clicking here. The file may take significant time to download, depending on the user's Internet connection speed.
On July 3, 2007, the case's formal parties - the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), Twin Lakes Utilities, Inc., and the Lakes of the Four Seasons Property Owners Association - filed a settlement agreement before the IURC.
Documents filed in this case are available by visiting http://www.in.gov/iurc/portal/Tab.aspx?tabid=28&dn=SEARCHDOCKETEDCASE and entering docket number 43128.
Page Updated 1-20-08
The following fact sheet was distributed at the OUCC public information meeting and IURC public field hearing on Feb. 6, 2007 in Crown Point, Ind. The OUCC's Jan. 23, 2007 news release offers additional information.
IURC Cause No. 43128
On September 29, 2006, Twin Lakes Utilities, Inc. (TLUI) filed a petition with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) seeking approval of new base rates and charges for water and sewer utility service. TLUI filed direct testimony and exhibits in this case on November 13, 2006 and January 16, 2007.
- TLUI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Utilities, Inc., based in Northbrook, Illinois. The utility serves approximately 3,100 Lake and Porter County customers, primarily in and near Lakes of the Four Seasons.
- The utility’s proposal would increase the flat monthly rate for residential sewer utility service from $40.27 to $47.61 and would also increase water rates on a volumetric basis. The water rate for a residential customer using 5,000 gallons would increase from $17.89 to $26.01 under the utility’s request.
- The utility indicates in testimony that it is seeking the rate increases to pay for various capital improvements including treatment plan improvements, well rehabilitation, a sewer collection remediation study, sewer main replacements, and new hydrants.
- TLUI’s current water and sewer rates were approved in March 2004.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the statutory representative for the interests of all utility consumers in this case and in other proceedings before the IURC.
- OUCC legal and technical staff assigned to this case continue to review TLUI’s request and evidence.
- The IURC has established an April 6, 2007 deadline for the OUCC to complete its review and file testimony in this case. However, the OUCC currently anticipates filing testimony on or before March 30, 2007.
The Lakes of the Four Seasons Property Owners Association has intervened in this case through legal counsel and is also scheduled to file testimony on or before April 6, 2007.
On February 6, 2007, an IURC public field hearing will be held at Jerry Ross Elementary School in Crown Point, Indiana.
- Consumers will be able to submit testimony in the form of written or oral comments.
- Comments will become part of the official evidentiary record to be considered by the IURC in reaching its final decision on the utility’s request.
- Consumer comments, whether written or oral, are given equal consideration.
On April 26, 2007, the IURC is scheduled to hold a technical evidentiary hearing in this case. The hearing, currently scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Indianapolis time in Room E-306 of the Indiana Government Center – South, is open to the public. However, participation in evidentiary hearings is typically limited to the cross-examination of technical witnesses who have filed testimony on behalf of the proceeding’s formal parties.
All filing deadlines and hearing dates in any legal proceeding are subject to change.
A settlement agreement is possible in any legal proceeding; such an agreement would be subject to IURC approval.
Consumers with questions or concerns about this case or other utility issues are encouraged to contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494 or through the agency’s Website.
A copy of TLUI’s testimony is available for public review at the Winfield Library. In addition, all publicly filed documents in this case are available online by:
- Visiting www.in.gov/iurc
- Clicking the “Electronic Filing” link
- Clicking the “Search Cases” link near the upper left corner of the following page
- Entering docket number 43128 in the first field on the search page
- State agency
- Represents the interests of all utility consumers and the general public on issues concerning electric, natural gas, water, sewer and telecommunications utilities
- Staff of accountants, engineers, economists, attorneys, consumer services and support personnel
- Participates in regulatory and legal proceedings
- Provides consumers with a voice in utility policy
- Responds to consumer questions and information needs
- State agency
- Regulates many, but not all, Indiana utilities
- Regulates utility rates, financing, service territory, quality, etc.
- Required by law to make decisions that balance the interests of utilities and consumers
- Neutral, fact-finding body
- Authority to investigate utility rates and practices
What is the difference?
Public Information Meeting
- Facilitated by the OUCC
- Opportunity for attorney (OUCC) and client (consumers) discussion
- Opportunity for consumers to advise OUCC staff of concerns
- Provides an opportunity for consumers to ask questions and receive information
- Opportunity for consumers to make written comments that can be entered into the official record considered by the IURC in its decision
Public Field Hearing
- Conducted by the IURC
- Formal, legal proceeding presided over by an Administrative Law Judge and recorded by a court reporter
- Often required by law
- Conducted in utility’s service territory
- Allows consumers to make sworn written or oral comments on the utility’s proposal, its service and any other relevant issue
- Not a question and answer/discussion format; designed to allow consumer comment
- Consumers providing oral comments may, at the conclusion of their testimony, be asked questions by the judge, commissioners or an attorney for any formal party to the proceeding
- Comments are part of the official public record considered by the IURC in making its decision
Prepared by the OUCC
100 North Senate Avenue, Room N501
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2215
Toll-free 1-888-441-2494
Voice/TDD (317) 232-2494
Fax (317) 232-5923
www.IN.gov/OUCC
uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
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