Merritt resigning after 30 years in state Senate
A longtime Republican state lawmaker who was unsuccessful last year in his bid to become mayor of Indianapolis is stepping down from his seat in November.
Utility law
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Indiana takes steps to improve water sustainability
Hoosier lawmakers, utilities and water policy lawyers in recent years have begun to look more closely at supply and demand. Legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2019, for example, ties certain funding sources to evidence of effective water study and communication. Meanwhile, some of the state’s biggest utilities have begun efforts to increase collaboration so that water resources might be shared.
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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.
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 negotiates deal with worst utility permit violator
An Indiana utility that committed the most permit violations in the state in the last three years is negotiating a deal with state environmental regulators to keep one of its power plants open.
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.
IPL wins reversal in worker’s electrocution lawsuit
Precedent gave Indianapolis Power and Light a reversal in lawsuit brought by a man who was electrocuted by the utility’s uninsulated power lines.
Reversal: COA rules for gas installer company’s founder in valuation dispute
An appellate panel reversed in favor of the founder of a natural gas installation company after it found the value of his shares under a buyback provision in a company agreement couldn’t be discounted for lack of marketability and control.
Utility owes no duty to property owner in fire sprinkler flood dispute
A utility company is not responsible for extensive flooding damage to a property management company building after its fire sprinkler pipes burst after winter, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
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.
COA reverses for Duke Energy, orders easement improvements removed
A massive utility company has secured a reversal and judgment from the Indiana Court of Appeals following an easement-related dispute with a neighborhood developer. The result means a southern Indiana developer must remove the entrance to residential development under construction.
House panel approves bill that would prohibit utilities from shutting down coal-fired plants
A bill that would prevent Indiana utilities from shutting down coal-fired power plants without state permission was approved by a House panel on Wednesday, despite widespread opposition from business, environmental, utility, ratepayer and social justice groups.
Indiana utilities would be prevented from shutting down coal-fired plants under new bill
Indianapolis Power & Light’s Harding Street station will soon shut down its last coal-powered turbine, for conversion to natural-gas-generated electricity.
Lawrenceburg distillery loses sewer rate ordinance appeal
A Lawrenceburg distillery couldn’t persuade the Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday to reverse a ruling upholding a regional sewer district’s adoption of an ordinance that excluded it from being considered a direct customer.
NIPSCO paying $1 million fine over hiring complaint
A major Indiana utility company has agreed to pay a $1 million fine in settling a federal complaint that it discriminated against some 1,500 female or black job applicants.
COA affirms IURC’s order in Hamilton Southeastern rate case
An order from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission requiring a Hamilton County utility to comply with national guidelines to support a rate hike was upheld Tuesday by the Indiana Court of Appeals. Hamilton Southeastern Utilities uses its operations contractor, Sanitary Management & Engineering Co., to carry out all operation, maintenance and engineering functions of HSE’s […]
Reversal: Utility must face suit in stoplight outage crash
Negligence claims brought against Indianapolis Power & Light after an auto accident caused by inoperable traffic lights will continue after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a ruling granting the power company judgment on the pleadings.
Judge tosses shareholder suit in Vectren merger
A federal judge has turned away a shareholder lawsuit over a major Indiana utility’s 2018 merger with a Texas-based public utility holding company, using a back-to-school analogy to reason his dismissal of the litigation.