Utility companies will soon be allowed to resume disconnections for unpaid bills. The states consumer advocate group is asking the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to continue protections for people unemployed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Duke Energy in July asked the state Utility Regulatory Commission to approve a 15 percent rate increase over two years that would boost its annual revenue by about $395 million.

The utility says the rate increase would go to pay for things like smart meters and electric vehicle charging stations.

Indiana American Water has requested a nearly 17 percent rate increase to help pay for more than $542 million of infrastructure investments.

Pending regulatory approval, Indianapolis Power & Light says their customers will see about a $5 a month increase in their bills.

Most IPL customers have to pay a fixed charge of $17 a month, but if the utility gets its wish that would jump to $27 a month.

The Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is recommending approval of a $125 million rate increase.

State regulators are encouraging central Indiana residents who live in the 317 telephone area code to begin using 10 digits, instead of seven, when making local phone calls starting Saturday.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is seeking public comment on a Duke Energy coal-gasification plant in southwestern Indiana.

The state Office of Utility Consumer Counselor wants to hear from Indiana residents about the amount of detail that appears on utility bills.