Helping Hoosiers Save Money on their Utility Bills

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Across Indiana, Hoosiers have seen their monthly utility bills climb higher and higher. 

“For older Hoosiers with income constraints, even slight increases in the cost of electricity or heating and cooling their homes can be devastating,” Sarah Waddle, AARP Indiana State Director, said. “That’s why we’re working hard to lower egregious rate hikes, prevent increases to monthly fees, and educate Hoosier communities about options for relief.”

Utilities must file a request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to up their prices, and such requests are usually met with public hearings in the impacted service area.

Beyond making their voices heard at those public hearings, customers can share their thoughts and how rate and fee hikes impact them through the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC).

Utility rates are an essential pocketbook issue for Americans 50-plus and their families, many of whom struggle to pay their energy bills along with other household expenses like food and medicine.

AARP Indiana wants to make sure older Hoosiers are informed about what’s happening with their energy bills. Follow this blog to stay up to date on what’s happening with various utility issues throughout the state.

Duke Electric

• Duke Energy has asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for a substantial rate increase that, according to the utility, will cost the average customer at least $28 more a month by 2025. Other analysis says it could cost over $40.
• Duke is also seeking to raise the customer charge to $13.70, up from its current level of $10.54 – a nearly 30% increase. The customer charge is the monthly fee you pay before using any electricity.
• There is one more public field hearing scheduled where customers can attend and are allowed to make sworn comments. Customers are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.
  
  Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  The Floyd County Public Library
  New Albany Central Branch Auditorium
  180 West Spring Street
  New Albany, IN
  

CenterPoint Electric

• CenterPoint Energy has asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for a large rate increase that will cost the average electric customer $47.24 more a month by 2026.
• It’s also seeking an increase in the customer charge to $23.20, up from its current level at $10.84. The customer charge is the monthly fee you pay before using any electricity.
• CenterPoint wants to implement this rate increase in three phases, with the first taking effect in Fall 2024, the second in early 2025, and the third in early 2026.
• There was one public field hearing scheduled where customers could attend and were allowed to make comments. The hearing was held on Feb. 29, 2024 and was scheduled to have two sessions – one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. The large crowd that showed up to testify caused the IURC to conduct one long hearing in order to accommodate as many customers who signed up to testify as possible.
• Read about the hearing from the perspective of one of our Evansville volunteers.

NIPSCO Gas Case
In August 2024 the IURC approved the rate agreement between NIPSCO Gas, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), and the intervening parties. The order approving the agreement will:

• Cut NIPSCO’s increase request from 10% to 7%. This means customers will see an increase of around $5 per month instead of $8.
• Keep the customer charge at$16.50 per month. NIPSCO had requested that the charge increase to $22.50.
• The increase will take effect in two phases with the first starting in August 2024 and the second by March 1, 2025.

Indiana Michigan Power
In May 2024, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) has approved the rate agreement between Indiana Michigan Power, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) and other intervening parties. The order approving the agreement will:, the agreement would:

• Lower I&M's requested increase from $116.4 million to $61.8 million.
• Increase the customer charge slightly to $15 from $14.79 a month. I&M had requested an increase to $17.50 a month and was something that AARP Indiana opposed.
• Waive late fees once every 6-month period for households who participate in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

AES
Indiana American Water

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

• The application process for LIHEAP is now open.
• Consumers who qualify for LIHEAP can also receive water bill assistance through the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
• Customers without internet access may call 211 or their local Community Action Agency (CAA) for more information on LIHEAP.
• Hoosiers that are concerned with paying their bills on time should contact their utility about payment arrangements. Indiana’s disconnection moratorium in the winter only applies if they have applied for the LIHEAP.
• Community Action Agencies (CAA) 
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
• 211 Help Line
• Search By Utility
  

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)
Understanding Your Gas Bill
AARP Indiana Assistance Information Sheet