A high-voltage transmission tower is seen in a field near Edwardsport. Towers like these are present across Duke Energy service territories, including Johnson County.
Provided photo
Hoosiers can offer public comments on Duke Energy’s pending 19% rate hike.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is inviting public comments on Duke Energy’s pending rate request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission through July 5. Duke Energy is requesting approval of rate changes for its electric services to increase electric grid reliability and security, add new systems and more.
If approved, an increase would be added in two steps with an approximately 12% increase in 2025 and about 4% in 2026, leading to an overall average bill increase of approximately 16% for all customer types. However, the increase will vary between residential, business and commercial customers. Residents using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would see a 19% increase for the two steps combined, appearing on bills as a $27.63 increase, according to the utility.
Duke Energy serves about 34,000 customers in Johnson County.
The OUCC — the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the IURC — is using its technical and legal resources to review Duke Energy’s proposal. Formal testimony from the OUCC is due July 11, according to a news release from the agency.
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. Comments sent by mail should be addressed as the following Public Comments, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
The agency needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than July 5 so that it can consider comments in preparing its testimony and file them with the IURC 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.
In addition to IUCC seeking comments, the IURC will hold a public field hearing in Terre Haute on June 4. Additional field hearings in Bloomington, Fishers, and New Albany will be scheduled at future dates to be determined, the news release says.
The Terre Haute public field hearing is set for June 4 at Ivy Tech Community College in the Oakley Auditorium, 8000 S. Education Drive. It will begin at 6 p.m., and consumers are encouraged to arrive by 5:45 p.m. for an overview of field hearing procedures and the rate case process, the news release says.
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 which is to hear public testimony, according to the news release.
Consumers can speak directly to the IURC under oath and on the record during the hearing. 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, the news release says.
Utilities do not make presentations or answer questions during field hearings as the focus is on public input. In this case, Duke Energy filed testimony and exhibits in April, according to the news release.
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, the news release says.
A final decision in the case is expected next year.
