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Electric utilities

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Addresses COVID-19 Impacts on Utilities and Ratepayers

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission ("Commission") has taken steps to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state's utilities and ratepayers. In May 2020, the Commission issued an Order notifying all jurisdictional Indiana utilities of its decision to conduct an investigation into the pandemic's effects on rates and provision of utility service. The Commission addressed immediate concerns in Phase 1, with orders issued on June 29, 2020, and August 12, 2020. With the Governor's Executive Order 21-17 rescinding most COVID-19-related provisions, the Commission is now considering whether any issues remain to be addressed in Phase 2. Parties are invited to file notices by July 26, 2021, to identify remaining issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has issued an Order to conduct an investigation into COVID-19's impacts on utilities and ratepayers.
  • The Commission has addressed immediate concerns in Phase 1, with two emergency orders issued in June and August 2020.
  • With the Governor's Executive Order 21-17, the Commission is now considering whether any issues remain to be addressed in Phase 2.
  • Parties have until July 26, 2021, to file notices identifying any remaining issues.
  • The investigation aims to consider the effects of COVID-19 on rates and the provision of utility service by all jurisdictional Indiana utilities and their ratepayers.
  • The Commission has taken steps to provide relief to ratepayers during the global health and economic crisis.
  • The regulation of utilities during the pandemic has been a key focus for the Commission, with the aim of protecting both utilities and ratepayers.
  • The Governor's Executive Order 21-17 has significantly altered the course of the Commission's investigation.

Statistics:

  • May 27, 2020 - The Commission issued an Order to conduct an investigation into COVID-19's impacts on utilities and ratepayers.
  • June 29, 2020 - The Commission issued a Phase 1 Interim Emergency Order addressing COVID-19-related issues of immediate concern.
  • August 12, 2020 - The Commission issued a Second Interim Emergency Order addressing additional COVID-19-related issues.
  • June 30, 2021 - The Indiana Governor issued Executive Order 21-16, extending the Public Health Emergency Declaration for the COVID-19 Outbreak to July 31, 2021.
  • July 31, 2021 - The extended Public Health Emergency Declaration for the COVID-19 Outbreak was to expire.

Sources:

  • Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, VERIFIED JOINT PETITION OF DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC, INDIANA GAS COMPANY D/B/A VECTREN ENERGY DELIVERY OF INDIANA, INC., INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER COMPANY, INDIANA NATURAL GAS CORPORATION, INDIANAPOLIS POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, MIDWEST NATURAL GAS CORPORATION, NORTHERN INDIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, LLC, OHIO VALLEY GAS CORP. AND OHIO VALLEY GAS, INC., SOUTHERN INDIANA GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY D/B/A VECTREN ENERGY DELIVERY OF INDIANA, INC., AND SYCAMORE GAS COMPANY FOR (1) AUTHORITY FOR ALL JOINT PETITIONERS TO DEFER AS A REGULATORY ASSET CERTAIN INCREMENTAL EXPENSE INCREASES AND REVENUE REDUCTIONS OF THE UTILITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO COVID-19; AND (2) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBDOCKETS FOR EACH JOINT PETITIONER IN WHICH EACH JOINT PETITIONER MAY ADDRESS REPAYMENT PROGRAMS FOR PAST DUE CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS, APPROVAL OF NEW BAD DEBT TRACKERS, AND/OR DETAILS CONCERNING THE FUTURE RECOVERY OF THE COVID-19 REGULATORY ASSET ))
  • Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, PETITION OF INDIANA OFFICE OF UTILITY CONSUMER COUNSELOR FOR GENERIC INVESTIGATION INTO COVID-19 IMPACTS TO BE CONDUCTED OVER TWO PHASES; EMERGENCY RELIEF PURSUANT TO IND. CODE § 8-1-2-113 TO RELIEVE INDIANA RATEPAYERS OF THE THREAT OF UTILITY SERVICE DISCONNECTION AND PAYMENT ARREARAGES DURING GLOBAL HEALTH AND ECONOMIC CRISIS

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