Opportunity for Public Comment on Vectren South's Gas Rate Case

WHAT: A field hearing will be held in Evansville by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (Commission) to hear from the public on the rate case petition of Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company (Vectren South) under Cause No. 45447.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2021

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Stephanie Hodgin
317-233-4723
stehodgin@urc.in.gov

***Please note virtual access, operational changes due to COVID-19 below***
​
WHEN: February 1, 2021, at 6 p.m. local time

WHERE: Virtually via WebEx (details below) or DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville - B, C, and D Ballrooms, 601 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN 47708

WHY: Vectren South has filed a petition before the Commission for a new schedule of rates and charges for gas utility service.

HOW: During field hearings, ratepayers have the opportunity to speak directly to the Commission or submit written comments. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Commission will be hosting this field hearing primarily virtually. If ratepayers would like to watch the field hearing but do not plan to provide comments, they may do so at the YouTube link here: https://youtu.be/CTp2wfdmJfE

There are three options for providing comments:

1. Written Comments. Ratepayers may submit written comments to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor at in.gov/oucc/2361.htm. Please note that written comments sent to the OUCC carry the same weight in the evidence of the case as those spoken at field hearings. Ratepayers also can submit their comments by mail or email:

Mail:
Consumer Services Staff
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Email:
uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov

Written comments should include the ratepayer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to “Cause No. 45447.” The OUCC is accepting written comments through February 12, 2021.

2. Comments via teleconference. Ratepayers who wish to provide verbal comments to the Commission via WebEx teleconference are encouraged to RSVP by noon central time on Monday, February 1, 2021, by calling 1-317-232-5888 or by going online to https://www.in.gov/oucc/. No later than 5:50 p.m. on the day of the field hearing, ratepayers who have registered in advance may then join the field hearing virtually via WebEx. To join that day, ratepayers should call 1-240-454-0887 and enter the access code 180 937 8016# no later than 5:50 p.m. local time. From there, the OUCC will call on ratepayers to speak, and comments will be recorded by the court reporter for addition to the case record. Please note that because this is a pending case, the commissioners and judge are not allowed to answer questions or engage in any discussion about the case.

3. In-person comments. If a ratepayer does not wish to provide written comments or is unable to join the WebEx on their own, they may come to the designated field hearing location (address above) to provide comments to the Commission via WebEx with the assistance of Commission and OUCC staff. Ratepayers who wish to attend in person are encouraged to RSVP by noon central time on Monday, February 1, 2021, by calling 1-317-232-5888 or by going online to https://www.in.gov/oucc/. The OUCC will call on ratepayers to speak in the order they arrive at the location, and comments will be recorded by the court reporter for addition to the case record. Please note that because this is a pending case, the commissioners and judge are not allowed to answer questions or engage in any discussion about the case.

COVID-19 EXPECTATIONS FOR ATTENDING IN PERSON: Ratepayers who plan to attend this field hearing in person should park in the parking garage and enter through the hotel door off the garage. The ballrooms will be right inside the door; attendance levels will be strictly enforced based on Governor Holcomb’s coronavirus response requirements for Vanderburgh County. Additional attendees may be asked to wait in a separate overflow room until other ratepayers leave the venue after providing comments. Customers will be called up to speak in the order they arrive, and we ask that customers avoid congregating in groups before and after the hearing. All attendees must wear masks, and we recommend all attendees observe appropriate social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines. Hand sanitizer will be available to attendees.

If you would like to access case-related documents under Cause No. 45447, visit the Commission's Online Services Portal here. Instructions on how to best use this database can be found here.

**If an accommodation is required to allow an individual with a disability to participate, please contact Stephanie Hodgin at 317-233-4723 or stehodgin@urc.in.gov at least 48 hours in advance.