INDIANAPOLIS — A comprehensive settlement agreement in the Indianapolis Power & Light Co. (IPL) rate case received Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approval. The agreement was negotiated by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) and numerous additional parties. Among the benefits:
• The $17 fixed, monthly residential customer charge for most customers, those using more than 325 kilowatt hours (kWh), will remain unchanged. IPL’s original proposal in the case would have raised the charge to $27.
• For residential customers using 325 kWh or less per month, the monthly customer charge will rise from $11.25 to $12.50. IPL had proposed raising the charge to $16.
• IPL will contribute $150,000 in shareholder funds for expansion of low-income weatherization projects, and an additional $650,000 in shareholder funds to start a three-year pilot program to forgive low-income customer arrearages.
• IPL will contribute $100,000 in shareholder funds to operate its new “roundup” program on a three-year pilot basis. The program allows customers to round bill payments up to the next dollar, with the difference going to low-income customer assistance.