Justices deny rehearing in Duke Energy coal-ash cleanup case; Goff dissents
Duke Energy will not get a second chance to convince the Indiana Supreme Court that it erred in ruling the utility cannot recoup its past costs for coal-ash cleanup efforts.
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
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Majority justices rule Duke can’t retroactively recover coal-ash cleanup costs
Indiana Supreme Court justices were divided on an issue of first impression brought by Duke Energy and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, ultimately ruling that the utility cannot recover past coal-ash cleanup costs adjudicated under a prior rate order by treating the costs as a capitalized asset.
Justices dismiss appeal challenging IURC decision, disagree on standing analysis
A solar-power advocacy organization did not have standing to seek judicial review of a decision by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the Indiana Supreme Court has ruled, dismissing the appeal outright. But while all justices agreed with the outcome, one argued the court’s standing analysis should be more robust.
Court rejects CenterPoint’s billing method for solar power
The Indiana appeals court has ruled in favor of consumer advocacy groups that challenged a change in the way a southwestern Indiana utility bills customers who have solar panels.
Justices to hear oral arguments on Duke Energy rate increases
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week between Duke Energy and a group of its customers challenging the utility’s request to raise its rates, among other complaints.
COA: $475k purchase price reasonable for Hamilton County utility acquisition
Two Hamilton County wastewater companies can move forward with their acquisition deal costing the significantly larger entity hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed.
Concerns rise over natural gas turbines, underwater pipeline
CenterPoint Energy, formerly known as Vectren, has submitted a request to build two natural gas turbines in place of its coal-burning generators at the southern Indiana A.B. Brown Power Plant. But residents and environmental groups are opposing the project.
COA affirms for Duke Energy to raise customers’ rates
The utility successfully defended itself from a lawsuit brought by a group of its customers after the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission partially granted the electric giant’s petition to raise its base rates.
AES Indiana seeks to boost electric vehicle use with incentives that could raise rates
Electric vehicles account for a tiny fraction of the cars on the road today, but electric utility AES Indiana wants to boost that number by offering a raft of rebates and other incentives to customers who drive them.
Critics: Indiana panel’s report could lead to coal bailout
A group of state lawmakers and energy experts has approved a new state energy report outlining how Indiana should proceed at a time when electric utilities are seeing a big shift from coal to renewable energy sources.
COA upholds approval of IPL’s $1.2 billion plan for system investments
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission order approving Indianapolis Power & Light Company’s proposed plan involving $1.2 billion in system investments over a seven-year period. Approval of the plan was challenged by the city of Indianapolis, consumer groups and others.
NIPSCO fined record $1.1M over safety violations
A northern Indiana utility is facing a $1.1 million fine — the largest in state history — after state regulators cited it for natural gas pipeline safety violations and specified that the company cannot pass that cost onto its ratepayers.
Appellate panel affirms IURC jurisdiction over Muncie sewer dispute
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission did not overstep its bounds when it granted a municipal sewer company exclusive license to do business in unincorporated areas near Muncie, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, finding Indiana Code gave the IURC jurisdiction in the Delaware County dispute.
Holcomb extends eviction, foreclosure moratorium until July 31
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday extended Indiana’s moratorium on housing evictions for one month, through the end of July, continuing a prohibition put in place in March due to financial hardships wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana regulators deny utilities’ bid for virus relief
Indiana regulators Monday denied a request from utilities to charge ratepayers for revenue the companies expect to lose because of the coronavirus pandemic. Officials also extended a moratorium on utility service disconnection through mid-August.
Indiana regulators agree to hear utility request to raise rates in wake of pandemic losses
Two weeks after 10 Indiana utilities asked state regulators for permission to charge ratepayers for millions of dollars in revenue the utilities stand to lose because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state has agreed to consider the matter.
Supreme Court hears arguments in stoplight crash suit against IPL
Indiana Supreme Court justices heard oral argument Thursday on the question of whether a utility may face liability for people injured in a traffic crash in which a malfunctioning stoplight played a role.
Justices to hear arguments in stoplight outage crash suit against IPL
Oral arguments in a negligence case brought by a family severely injured in a crash in a traffic intersection after a 2016 storm will be heard by Indiana Supreme Court justices this week. Per an order issued Monday, attendance at the argument will be limited to parties and counsel, but the argument may be viewed online.
Indiana lawmakers pass controversial coal bill
A controversial bill that would prohibit Indiana utilities from shutting down coal-fired power plants before May 2021 has passed both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly and is on its way to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his signature.
Indiana House backs slowing coal power plant closures
The Indiana House narrowly endorsed Monday a proposal aimed at making it more difficult for Indiana electric companies to close more coal-fired power plants.