Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is inviting public comments as it reviews the request of Indiana American Water Co. for changes to its rates and charges.
The OUCC, the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, has not yet taken a position in this case but is scheduled to complete its review of the utility's request and file testimony with the commission Oct. 23.For Warsaw customers, the base rate would increase from $25.27 a month to $29.44.
Two public events regarding the rate case are scheduled for Tuesday in Gary. Both events will be held in the Auditorium of the Savanna Center at Indiana University-Northwest.
At 5:30 p.m. Central Time, the OUCC will conduct an information meeting to discuss the regulatory process and describe public field hearing procedures.
At 6 p.m. Central Time, the IURC will conduct a formal public field hearing to accept oral and written consumer comments regarding Indiana American's rates.
The comments will become part of the evidentiary record considered by the IURC in reaching its final decision. Commissioners are not permitted to answer consumer questions during the formal field hearing.
Additional field hearings in this case will be scheduled in Jeffersonville and Muncie, with dates, times and locations to be determined.
IAWC, a wholly owned subsidiary of New Jersey-based American Water Inc., provides service to approximately 283,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout the state.
The utility's current base rates were approved in 2007.
In its testimony, Indiana Water states that it is seeking an additional $46.8 million in new annual operating revenues due to growth in operating and maintenance expenses, and due to numerous capital improvements to transmission and distribution systems throughout its Indiana service territories.
The proposal's impact on a typical residential customer's bill will vary by service territory.
Customers who want to submit written comments regarding this case may send them by mail at Consumer Services Staff; Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor; 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South Indianapolis, IN 46204; by fax at 317-232-5923; or by e-mail at uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
