The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is inviting public comments as it reviews Citizens Thermal Energy's request for an increase in its rates and charges for steam utility service.
The OUCC - the state agency representing residential and business ratepayer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) - has not yet taken a position on the utility's request but is currently scheduled to complete its review and file testimony on Thursday, July 5. Customers who wish to provide written comments on the proposal in the meantime may submit them to the OUCC's consumer services staff via mail, e-mail or fax.
Citizens Thermal Energy (CTE), a division of Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, provides steam service to 245 customers in and near downtown Indianapolis. The utility is seeking a two-phase steam rate increase in this case. If approved, the first phase would generate an additional $7.65 million in the utility's annual revenues, with revenues increasing by an additional $3.06 million in the second phase (which would take effect in December 2008 under the utility's proposal).
The steam utility's current rates were approved in 1993, with Citizens Gas purchasing the steam utility's assets from Indianapolis Power & Light Co. (IPL) in 2000. In its testimony and exhibits, CTE states it is seeking the rate changes to recover higher operating and maintenance costs, and to pay for capital improvements including main extensions and main and manhole replacements.
CTE is also seeking permission to change its Fuel Adjustment Clause (FAC) process from an annual to quarterly process. Most regulated electric utilities in Indiana make FAC filings on a quarterly basis, which allow them to recover only the cost of fuel, without profit, subject to OUCC review and IURC approval.
A group of industrial customers has formally intervened in this case and is also scheduled to file testimony on July 5.
CTE's testimony and exhibits in this case can be viewed on the OUCC Website.
CTE also provides chilled water service to customers in downtown Indianapolis. Chilled water rates are not regulated by the IURC and are not at issue in this proceeding.
The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments in this case no later than Monday, July 2. Comments should include the consumer's name, address, and a reference to IURC Cause No. 43201, and can be submitted by mail, fax or the Internet:
Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC's consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494. Comments received by the OUCC's filing deadline will be reviewed by the agency's consumer services staff, as well as legal and technical staff assigned to the cases.
An IURC technical evidentiary hearing in this case is currently scheduled to begin on Monday, July 30. While technical evidentiary hearings are open to the public, participation is typically limited to attorney and Commission questioning of technical witnesses that have filed testimony on behalf of the proceeding's formal parties. All hearing and filing dates are subject to change.
A settlement agreement is possible in any legal proceeding; such an agreement would require IURC approval. The OUCC attempts to reach a fair agreement for ratepayers in each IURC case.
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. 43201)
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