Two public events will take place on Tuesday, June 5 regarding Indiana American Water Company's (IAWC's) request for an increase in its rates and charges. Both events will be held in the Prairie Room at the Horizon Convention Center, 401 S. High St., Muncie, Indiana:

• From 5:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., local time, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) will conduct a public information meeting. During the half-hour meeting, OUCC staff will discuss the regulatory process and describe public field hearing procedures.
  
• At 6:00 p.m., local time - immediately following the OUCC information meeting - the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) will conduct a formal public field hearing to accept oral and written consumer comments. The comments will become part of the evidentiary record considered by the IURC in reaching its final decision in this case. Commissioners are not permitted to answer consumer questions during the formal field hearing.

IAWC - which serves approximately 285,000 customers in 21 counties throughout Indiana - is seeking an 18.1 percent increase in its total annual revenues. The utility indicates in its testimony that it is seeking the increase to cover higher operating and maintenance costs, and to pay for capital improvements. The utility's current rates were approved in November 2004.

The OUCC - the state agency representing ratepayer interests in IURC proceedings - filed testimony on May 24 recommending that IAWC's rate increase be held to no more than 2.94 percent.

The utility's proposed rate adjustments in this case would vary by service territory. A chart showing average residential bill impact by community under the utility's proposal is available on the OUCC Website, along with links to testimonial documents the utility and OUCC have filed in this case. Other field hearings in this case have been held in Gary, Greenwood and Jeffersonville.

IAWC customers who are unable to attend the June 5 events but wish to provide written comments are encouraged to do so in advance. Comments should include the consumer's name, address, and a reference to IURC Cause No. 43187. Consumers can send comments to the OUCC by mail, fax or the Internet:

• Mail: Consumer Services Staff
  Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
  100 N. Senate Ave., Room N501
  Indianapolis, IN 46204-2215
• Fax: (317) 232-5923
• E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
• OUCC Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC

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 OUCC offers a wide range of free consumer publications on utility issues - including tips for saving money on water and energy bills, a guide to understanding the utility regulatory process, and tips for speaking out effectively on pending cases. All OUCC publications are available online or by calling the agency toll-free.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency that represents utility consumer interests in state and federal regulatory proceedings. To learn more, visit www.IN.gov/OUCC.

(IURC Cause No. 43187)

 

 

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