Indiana office recommends denial of I&M rate hike request

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's consumer advocate for utilities is recommending that state regulators deny Indiana Michigan Power’s latest request for a rate increase.

I&M announced in July that it was seeking approval of a 6.5% rate increase, in part to improve technology and reliability, and that the rate hike would result in a less than $10 a month increase for the typical residential customer.

But Bill Fine, the Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor, recommended last week that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission deny the rate hike request. He wrote in a filing that “after receiving base rate increases in 2018 and 2020, I&M has not made the case for this increase at this time."

Fine added that his office's analysis “shows I&M to be a financially sound utility that is capable of providing safe and reliable service to its Indiana customers with the revenues it currently has."

The utility now has until Nov. 9 to file rebuttal testimony. The IURC is expected to make a final decision on the rate hike request in the spring of 2022.

I&M said in a statement that it stands by its request for a 6.5% rate increase, saying it would “best serve our customers in a safe, reliable manner.” The utility said it plans to file its response with the IURC by the Nov. 9 deadline.