We are still reviewing the 131-page order of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission with our co-counsel Bob Wright and Don and Shana Levinson. I expect we will be discussing various options with our clients in the case, LaPorte County and the City of Hammond.
Quite candidly, while the Commission clearly took NIPSCO to task for being the worst rated electric utility in the country for customer satisfaction, we are very disappointed they would still award the company a 10% rate increase for residential customers at this time. We believe the evidence suggested a result closer to the rate reduction first proposed by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC). We hope the OUCC will continue to oppose an increase in rates.
With the 5.5% bill credit that we first helped negotiate in 2002 disappearing as a result of this rate order, added on to a 4% base rate increase, this means a double-digit price shock for residential ratepayers they can ill afford. We intend to weigh all options to help protect ratepayers.
Shaw R. Friedman, attorney
