By DAJA STOWE
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
The Indiana Office of Utility is recommending Duke Energy cut down on its pending rate request by more than 60 percent.
According to a release, Duke Energy requests a $491.5 million base rate increase from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. An analysis from the OUCC shows that an increase of $184.7 million (6.1 percent) is warranted.
Ten OUCC witnesses this week filed testimony with the IURC. In the testimony notes, the most of the increase requested is due to capital projects that received IURC preapproval, and are now being included in rates as is provided by state law.
“The significant reduction we recommend to Duke Energy’s request is based on a thorough analysis by our attorneys and technical staff, and it balances the need for reliable service with the affordability concerns raised by our staff and by the hundreds of customers who have spoken out on the request,” said Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor Bill Fine.
This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/local-news/office-of-utility-calls-for-cutting-duke-energy-rate-hike-by-more-than-60.