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Water/Sewer Fact Sheet

OUCC Fact Sheet

Indiana American Water Co. Rate Case
IURC Cause No. 43187

On December 1, 2006, Indiana American Water Co. (IAWC) filed a petition with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) seeking an increase in its rates and charges. The utility is seeking an increase of 18.1 percent in its total annual revenues.

  • IAWC has since filed approximately 1,490 pages of testimony and exhibits in support of its request.

  • Proposed rate increases under the utility’s proposal vary by community.

  • According to its testimony and exhibits, IAWC is seeking the increase to pay for capital improvements and to cover higher operating and maintenance costs.

  • IAWC’s current water rates were approved in November 2004.

On March 19 and 20, 2007, an IURC technical evidentiary hearing in this case was held in Indianapolis, to allow for attorney and Commission questioning of IAWC’s formal witnesses.

On May 24, 2007, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) filed testimony recommending that the proposed increase in this case be limited to no more than 2.94 percent. The OUCC is the statutory representative for the interests of all utility consumers in this case and in other proceedings before the IURC.

A group of IAWC’s industrial customers (Mittal Steel USA, United States Steel Corporation and Praxair, Inc.), the City of West Lafayette, and several of IAWC’s wholesale customers (the City of Crown Point, the Town of Schererville, Sullivan-Vigo Water Corp., Ramsey Water Co., Inc.) have formally intervened in this case through legal counsel. The industrial group and Town of Schererville filed testimony on May 24.

On June 5, 2007, an IURC public field hearing will be held in Muncie, Indiana.

  • Consumers will be able to submit testimony in the form of written or oral comments.

  • Comments will become part of the official evidentiary record to be considered by the IURC in reaching its final decision on the city’s request.

  • Consumer comments, whether written or oral, are given equal consideration.

  • Additional field hearings in this case were held in April and May in Greenwood, Jeffersonville and Gary.

On July 17, 2007, the IURC is scheduled to hold a technical evidentiary hearing on the testimony filed by the OUCC and formally intervening parties in Indianapolis. While the hearing is open to the public, participation in evidentiary hearings is typically limited to the cross-examination of technical witnesses who have filed testimony on behalf of the proceeding’s formal parties.

All filing deadlines and hearing dates in any legal proceeding are subject to change.

A settlement agreement is possible in any legal proceeding; such an agreement would be subject to IURC approval.

Consumers with questions or concerns about this case or other utility issues are encouraged to contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494 or through the agency’s Website.

All publicly filed documents in this case are available online by:

  • Visiting www.in.gov/iurc
  • Clicking the “Electronic Filing” link
  • Clicking the “Search Cases” link near the upper left corner of the following page
  • Entering docket number 43187 in the first field on the search page

General Information

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)

  • State agency
  • Represents the interests of all Indiana utility consumers in cases before the IURC and federal regulatory commissions
  • Staff of attorneys, accountants, engineers, economists, consumer services and support personnel
  • Provides consumers with a voice in utility policy
  • Responds to consumer questions and information needs

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC)

  • State agency
  • Regulates many, but not all, Indiana utilities
  • Regulates utility rates, financing, service territory, quality, etc.
  • Required by law to make decisions that balance the interests of utilities and consumers
  • Neutral, fact-finding body
  • Authority to investigate utility rates and practices

Public Field Hearing Overview

  • Formal legal proceeding conducted by the IURC
  • Presided over by an Administrative Law Judge and recorded by a court reporter
  • Conducted in utility’s service territory; often required by law
  • Consumers may make sworn written or oral comments on the utility’s proposal, its service and any other relevant issue. Comments are part of the official evidentiary record considered by the IURC in making its decision
  • Attorneys for the case’s formal parties – including the OUCC and utility – participate
  • Not a question and answer/discussion format; designed to allow consumer comment
    • IURC Commissioners are not permitted to answer questions during the formal hearing
    • OUCC and IURC staff members will be present and available to answer consumer questions before and after the field hearing
  • Consumers providing oral comments may, at the conclusion of their testimony, be asked questions by the judge, commissioners or an attorney for any formal party

    Prepared by the OUCC
    100 North Senate Avenue, Room N501
    Indianapolis, IN 46204-2215

    Toll-free 1-888-441-2494
    Voice/TDD (317) 232-2494
    Fax (317) 232-5923

    www.IN.gov/OUCC
    uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov