CenterPoint Energy Electric Rate Case
CenterPoint Energy's electric utility is requesting a rate increase in a IURC Cause No. 45590. The utility provides electric service in southwestern Indiana.
The utility initially proposed an approximately $118.8 million increase to annual revenues. It adjusted its request to $115.4 million in rebuttal testimony filed on Apr. 9, 2024.
CenterPoint Energy, industrial customers who have intervened in the case, and SABIC Innovative Plastics filed a settlement agreement on May 21, 2024 that would reduce the requested increase to $80 million.
The OUCC is not a party to the agreement and is scheduled to file testimony in opposition to the settlement on July 19, 2024. The Evansville City Council and Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana have intervened in the case and also are not parties to the proposed settlement.
The IURC may approve, deny, or modify any agreement it considers. A settlement hearing is scheduled to start Sept. 3, 2024 and will continue on Sept. 10 and 11 if needed.
Closing briefs from the case's formal parties are due in September and October. The Commission's deadline to issue a final order has been extended to Feb. 3, 2025.
The case's current procedural schedule is available by clicking here.
Analysis by the OUCC shows that an increase of $48.3 million is warranted based on the case's evidence and applicable law, primarily due to major capital improvements that have received preapproval in prior IURC cases. The OUCC made its recommendations in written testimony in March and corrections filed in April.
The OUCC filed more than 2,300 written consumer comments for the case's formal record in March. Those comments and comments provided at the IURC's Feb. 29, 2024 public field hearing in Evansville are still in the case record and do not have to be re-submitted due to the pending settlement. Additional written comments are invited through July 12, 2024.
Natural gas rates and services are not at issue in this case.
All publicly filed documents in this case (Cause No. 45990) are available on the IURC's website.
- Utility Testimony (Initial Request)
- Public Comments
The OUCC issued a Jan. 29, 2024 news release to invite comments.
Written Comments
Written public comments in IURC cases are invited via the OUCC’s online submission form, by email at uccinfo@oucc.in.gov, or by mail at:
Public Comments
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH
Indianapolis, IN 46204Public Hearing
The IURC held a public field hearing in this case on Feb. 29, 2024, in Evansville.
A copy of the OUCC's fact sheet provided at the hearing is available here.
- OUCC Testimony
In the following testimony, the OUCC recommended denial of the utility's request to raise its flat monthly customer charge for residential and small commercial customers. The OUCC's recommendations would also reduce the utility's 10.4% authorized return on equity to 8.8%:
Along with its testimony, the OUCC has filed more than 2,300 written consumer comments for the case's formal record. In addition, 78 consumers spoke at the IURC's Feb. 29, 2024 public field hearing in Evansville.
The OUCC's Mar. 13, 2024 media release has additional information. Corrections revising the OUCC's recommendation were filed in April.
All publicly filed documents in this case (Cause No. 45990), including testimony from intervening parties, are available on the IURC's website.
This page will be updated based on case developments.
5-24-24