See next blog post for more information on this case pending before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) from the Citizens Action Coalition (CAC).
Written consumer comments also invited
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is encouraging Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) customers to comment on the utility's pending environmental compliance construction case, through both written comments and the case's upcoming public field hearing.
An Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) public field hearing will be held
DATE: Thursday, January 24, 2013
TIME: 6:00 pm EST
PLACE: Indiana History Center , 450 West Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202
The hearing's public comment portion will start at 6:00 p.m.
Sworn oral and written comments regarding the case will be accepted during the field hearing.
Oral and written consumer comments carry equal weight and will become part of the case's official evidentiary record.
Commissioners are not allowed to answer questions during the field hearing. (However, OUCC and IURC staff will be available before, during and after the hearing.)
An OUCC informational session on the regulatory process and public field hearing procedures will begin at 5:30 p.m.
IPL is asking the IURC to approve its proposed Environmental Compliance Construction Project, which would include the construction, installation and operation of new pollution control equipment at IPL's Petersburg and Harding Street generating stations. The equipment would be installed on five generating units that make up 82 percent of IPL's coalfired capacity. It would reduce mercury emissions along with emissions of non-mercury metal hazardous air pollutants and acid gas hazardous air pollutants.
In its testimony, the utility states that the project is necessary for compliance with federal regulations, specifically the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Mercury and Air Toxics (MATS) rule.
IPL is also seeking IURC approval to recover the project's costs through rates, with rate adjustments to be made every six months. The utility currently estimates the project's construction costs - not including financing and demolition costs - at nearly $511 million (compared to an initial construction cost estimate of $606 million).
By 2014, IPL expects the project to add $1.13 to the monthly bill for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh). According to IPL's testimony, this monthly amount would rise to $8.92 in 2017.
The OUCC – which represents consumer interests in cases before the IURC – is still evaluating this case and is scheduled to file testimony on January 28, 2013. Additional parties that have intervened in this case – including the Sierra Club, the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana (CAC), and the IPL Industrial Group – are also scheduled to file testimony on January 28.
More information on this case is available online at www.in.gov/oucc/2732.htm.
Consumers who wish to submit written comments in this case may do so via the OUCC's Website at www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm, or by mail, email or fax:
Mail: Consumer Services Staff
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204
email: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
Fax: (317) 232-5923
Written comments the OUCC receives by January 24 will be filed with the Commission and included in the case's formal evidentiary record. Comments should include the consumer's name, mailing address, and a reference to "IURC Cause No. 44242."
Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC's consumer services staff tollfree t 1-888-441-2494.
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IURC Cause No. 44242
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) represents Indiana consumer interests before state and federal bodies that regulate utilities. As a state agency, the OUCC's mission is to represent all Indiana consumers to ensure quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education, and creative problem solving.
Visit us at www.IN.gov/OUCC, www.twitter.com/IndianaOUCC, or www.facebook.com/IndianaOUCC