The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) continues to invite public comments on NIPSCO’s natural gas rate request. Written comments for the formal case record are invited through Jan. 27, 2024.
In addition, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) will hold a public field hearing in Hammond on Jan. 23, 2024.
The OUCC – the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the IURC – is scheduled to file testimony on Jan. 31, 2024. In the meantime, the OUCC’s attorneys and technical experts continue to analyze NIPSCO’s proposal.
Written Consumer Comments
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 [email protected], or by mail at:
Public Comments
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH
Indianapolis, IN 46204
The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than Jan. 27, 2024, so that it can: 1) Consider them 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, city, & zip code, and a reference to either “IURC Cause No. 45967” or NIPSCO Gas Rates. Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.
Public Field Hearing
The IURC has scheduled a public field hearing in this case for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Hammond at Purdue University Northwest, Student Union and Library Building – Alumni Hall (2233 173rd St.).
The hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. local time. Consumers are encouraged to arrive by 5:45 p.m. 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 field hearing.
The sole purpose of a field hearing is to receive public testimony. A final decision in this case is expected later this 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 Jan. 27, 2024.
• Utilities do not make presentations or answer questions during field hearings. The focus, again, is on public input. In this case, NIPSCO filed testimony and exhibits in October 2023.
• 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.
This is the second of two public field hearings in this case. The first was held in Fort Wayne on Jan. 8, 2024.
Case Overview
NIPSCO is seeking a two-phase, $161.9 million increase in its natural gas utility’s annual operating revenues. According to its filing, the utility is seeking the increase due to infrastructure improvements and higher operating and maintenance costs.
Each NIPSCO residential gas bill includes a monthly $16.25 customer service charge which does not vary based on usage. It would rise to $25.50 under the utility’s request. The remainder of the bill varies by customer usage.
NIPSCO’s current gas base rates received IURC approval in July 2022. Total billing amounts have varied since then due to changes in wholesale commodity costs along with incremental increases to pay for specific infrastructure and federally mandated costs as allowed by Indiana law.
Base distribution rates comprise slightly more than half of a typical NIPSCO customer’s residential natural gas bill. They cover “non-gas” costs such as operating and maintenance expenses and capital infrastructure improvements. The remainder of a typical monthly bill pays for the natural gas itself, which the utility recovers on a dollar-for-dollar basis subject to OUCC review and IURC approval every three months.
NIPSCO provides natural gas service to approximately 859,000 customers across 32 counties. Electric rates and charges are not at issue in this case.
