IURC invites public comments in Duke rate case

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) continues to invite public comments on Duke Energy’s pending rate request through July 5.

In addition, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) will host public field hearings in Bloomington on June 20 and in Fishers on June 27. An additional field hearing in New Albany will be scheduled at a date to be determined.

The case’s first field hearing was held in Terre Haute on June 4.

The OUCC – the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the IURC – is using its technical and legal resources to review the Duke proposal. Formal testimony from the OUCC is due July 11.

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, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH, Indianapolis, IN 46204

The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than Friday, July 5, so that it can: 1) Consider comments in preparing its testimony; and 2) File them with the commission to be included in the case’s formal evidentiary record.

Comments should include the consumer’s name and a reference to either “IURC Cause No. 46038” or Duke Energy Rates. Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.

The Bloomington field hearing is set for 6 p.m. on June 20 at the Monroe Convention Center, Olcott Young Room, 302 S. College Ave.

The Fishers hearing will take place at 5 p.m. on June 27 at the Hamilton East Public Library, East/Center Rooms, 5 Municipal Dr.

Consumers are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early for an overview of field hearing procedures and the rate case process. Attendees are required to comply with all local health and safety regulations. No final decisions about the case will be made at the hearings.

The sole purpose of a field hearing is to receive public testimony. A final decision in this case is expected next year.

Consumers can speak directly to the Commission under oath and on the record.

Oral comments presented during the field hearings will become part of the case record. They will carry the same weight as written consumer comments submitted to the OUCC by July 5, 2024.

Utilities do not make presentations or answer questions during field hearings. The focus, again, is on public input. In this case, Duke Energy filed testimony and exhibits in April.

Commissioners are not allowed to answer questions about the case. They will ultimately render a decision after weighing evidence from the utility, the OUCC, and intervening parties.

Duke Energy’s request would raise annual revenues for its Indiana electric utility by nearly $492 million. The flat, monthly connection charge for each residential customer would rise from $10.54 to $13.70. The volumetric portion of the bill would also rise. Duke Energy’s testimony and exhibits project that an average monthly residential bill for 1,000 kWh would be $170.67 when new rates are fully implemented in March 2025.

In its testimony, the utility states it is seeking the increase due to numerous infrastructure projects at its power plants and throughout its transmission and distribution system, along with increased operating and maintenance costs.

Duke Energy serves approximately 900,000 electric customers in 69 Indiana counties.

The utility’s current base rates received IURC approval in 2020. However, billing amounts have since changed through tracker adjustments, which allow utilities to raise or reduce rates for specific costs subject to OUCC review and IURC approval. All Indiana investor-owned electric utilities use trackers to varying degrees. Duke Energy uses them to recover costs for fuel and purchased power, transmission and distribution infrastructure improvements, compliance with federal environmental regulations, energy efficiency programs and regional transmission.

Several additional parties have intervened in this case, including the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Sierra Club, Wabash Valley Power Alliance, the River Ridge Property Owners’ Association (Clark County), Blocke LLC, Walmart, Kroger and industrial customers including Nucor Steel, Cargill, Elanco, General Motors, Harrison Steel Castings, Haynes International, Primient, Stellantis, Subaru of Indiana Automotive and USG Corporation.

Any testimony the intervening parties may file is due on July 11.