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The OUCC: A Resource for Indiana Businesses

The OUCC:
A Resource for Indiana Businesses

Welcome | Who We Are | What We Can Do
Our Mission | To Learn More


A message from Indiana's Utility Consumer Counselor

In utility regulatory matters, Indiana law charges the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) with representing the interests of all utility customers. The OUCC is committing more resources than ever before to understanding the interests of commercial customers.

If you own or manage a small or medium-sized business, we want to hear from you. We are interested in what you think about pending cases, and can provide you with current information on a wide range of topics, including high-speed Internet access, specific rates and tariffs, energy efficiency, and more. Our staff is here to provide you with any resource that can best help you optimize the value of your utility services.

Quality utility services are pivotal to our state’s economy and economic development, and the OUCC is committed to serving Indiana’s business community. As Indiana’s statutory representative for all utility ratepayers, the OUCC is a resource for Hoosier businesses. I invite you to share your comments, questions and concerns with us at any time.

Best regards,
A. David Stippler
Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor

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What is the OUCC?

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency representing ratepayer interests in utility regulatory matters. These primarily involve state-level proceedings before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), but also involve federal utility regulatory matters as warranted.

The OUCC’s 51-member staff includes attorneys and technical experts (such as engineers, economists and accountants) who participate in formal cases, along with external affairs and consumer services representatives.

The agency now includes a small/medium business representative who can work with businesses on the unique issues they may be facing.

Created by the Indiana General Assembly in 1933, the OUCC is the oldest state agency of its type in the United States. The agency’s director, the Utility Consumer Counselor, is appointed by the Governor and serves a four-year term.

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What can the OUCC do for my business?

The OUCC welcomes written comments in all pending cases before the
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).

  • This includes comments from commercial and industrial customers as well as residential customers.
  • All comments we receive are shared with our consumer services staff and our legal/technical case teams that participate in all proceedings.
  • We also welcome comments on federal-level issues. Our staff regularly intervenes and participates in proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
  • All ratepayers, including businesses, are welcome to provide case-related comments through our Website or by e-mail, fax or mail.

We can provide your business with information on utility issues.

  • The Broadband Internet Search function on our Website allows you to look up high-speed service providers by Zip Code, either for your existing business location or any communities in which you may consider expanding.
  • We offer a wide range of publications at no cost, both on our Website and by calling our consumer services staff toll-free.
  • The OUCC can work with you one-on-one to help you better understand specific utility tariffs and rate schedules, and help you determine which rate choice may be best for your business.

We can help your business in resolving utility-related concerns.

  • If you have concerns with a specific issue involving a regulated Indiana utility, our consumer services staff can assist (provided you have first contacted the utility and given it the opportunity to resolve the matter). This may include billing, connection, service quality or other issues.
  • The OUCC can work with your business and help facilitate discussions you may need to have with utilities on a variety of energy matters, including your utility’s demand side management and energy efficiency programs, third party supplier issues (such as natural gas choice programs), co-generation issues and net metering.

We can be an informational source for your local business community.

  • Our staff is available to speak to groups of 20 or more at no charge, including businesses, local business organizations, service clubs and other groups. The OUCC can tailor a presentation to meet your informational needs on utility-related issues.
  • The OUCC also participates in various outreach events throughout the year, including events specifically for small and medium businesses.

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Our Mission

To represent all Indiana consumers with integrity and professionalism in ensuring quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education and creative problem solving.

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For More Information

To learn more, please read our "Introducing Your OUCC" brochure and the additional information we offer online at www.IN.gov/OUCC. You can also call us toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.

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Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Toll-free: 1-888-441-2494
Voice/TDD: (317) 232-2494
Fax: (317) 232-5923
Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC
E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov

(5/08)