Rep. Bauer urges South Bend residents to comment on I&M rate hike request

On Wednesday, September 27, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) confirmed that it will hold a public hearing in South Bend regarding Indiana Michigan Power’s pending request to increase consumer rates by 6.8%. This comes several weeks after State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D - South Bend) and State Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D - South Bend) sent letters to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the agency that represents consumer interests in IURC cases, requesting a public hearing and public comment period be held for residents of Northern Indiana in South Bend. 

“I thank the IURC for honoring my request for a public hearing to be held in South Bend, to allow members of the community to weigh in on the proposed rate increase,” Rep. Bauer said. “Energy bills have increased nearly 50% in the past 10 years. The proposed request is expected to raise monthly rates by an additional $15 per month for residential consumers, placing an extra cost on already stretched family budgets. 

“I encourage all who are able, to attend the 6pm public hearing on October 30th at South Bend Century Center Recital Hall, 120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., to submit in person public comment. For those wishing to submit a comment online, you can email [email protected] or visit www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm. The OUCC is accepting consumer comments through Wednesday, November 8.”