Ratepayers will have the opportunity to weigh in on Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power’s pending rate increase.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, which acts on rate change requests, has set a public hearing for 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Fusion 54. The hearing is required before the commission moves forward with reviewing CEL&P’s proposal.
CEL&P is requesting a 14.5% hike in residential rates over the next two years to offset rising maintenance and operating costs and fund substation and infrastructure upgrades. If approved, the increases would take effect in June 2021 and June 2022. Average residential bills would go up nearly $13 once the proposed new rates are fully phased in.
During the hearing, commissioners cannot answer questions about the case. Representatives from the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, which represents ratepayers in the process, will be on hand to explain the process.
Consumers are asked to arrive no later than 5:45 p.m. for an overview of hearing procedures and the rate case process.
Written comments can also be submitted at www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm or by email at uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov. Comments can be mailed to Consumer Services Staff, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Written input is due Nov. 18.
The Office of Utility Consumer Counselor will file testimony in the rate case on Nov. 25. A final ruling on the proposed increase is expected in June 2021.
CEL&P’s last rate increase was in 2016. The utility’s rates currently rank fifth lowest in the state among regulated electric utilities.
