{"id":14848,"date":"2010-11-14T07:52:57","date_gmt":"2010-11-14T12:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=14848"},"modified":"2010-11-14T07:52:57","modified_gmt":"2010-11-14T12:52:57","slug":"iurc-approves-nipsco-natural-gas-rate-settlement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2010\/11\/14\/iurc-approves-nipsco-natural-gas-rate-settlement\/","title":{"rendered":"IURC approves NIPSCO Natural Gas Rate Settlement"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NIPSCO<\/p>\n

Press release from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission:<\/p>\n

IURC approves NIPSCO Natural Gas Rate Settlement<\/strong>
\nRuling results in overall rate decrease<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(INDIANAPOLIS, November 4, 2010) – The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) today approved a settlement agreement reached by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) and other key customer stakeholders to resolve NIPSCO’s pending natural gas rate case. The settlement – filed on Aug. 24 – was also signed and agreed upon by the NIPSCO Industrial Group, the NIPSCO Marketer Group and Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana.<\/p>\n

The settlement slightly decreases overall rates for all NIPSCO natural gas customer classes while providing continued strong support for low-income customer assistance, energy efficiency and conservation programs.<\/p>\n

The newly approved gas base rates should be implemented in the November billing cycle and will be reflected in the gas delivery portion of customer bills.<\/p>\n

The settlement delivers not only lower rates but also new customer assistance programs to be in place for the current winter heating season.<\/p>\n

“We are pleased with the Commission’s decision, which recognizes the efforts taken by all the parties involved to develop a constructive and customer-focused solution that serves the interests of customers and the public at large,” NIPSCO CEO Jimmy Staton said. “This approval provides a solid platform for continued enhancements to customer service, reliability and our ongoing investment in Indiana’s energy infrastructure. Additionally, this outcome upholds our commitment to offering affordable and competitive gas rates in Indiana, which helps attract and expand businesses here in northern Indiana.”<\/p>\n

“The agreement approved today will give customers an overall rate decrease while preserving funding for low-income assistance during these difficult economic times,” said Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor David Stippler. “We received a great deal of helpful consumer input in this case and are very pleased with today’s outcome.”<\/p>\n

“The issuance of this order provides much needed rate relief and improvements to payment assistance the CAC has supported for some time,” said Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana Executive Director Grant Smith. “It also offers a reasonable solution to reducing seasonal volatility and a process for continuing gas efficiency programs. It shows what can be achieved when ratepayers and utilities work collaboratively.”<\/p>\n

Key provisions approved by the IURC include:<\/p>\n