Residents push back against Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase

FISHERS, Ind. – Some Hoosiers could see their electric bills increase if Duke Energy gets its way.

The utility proposed a 16% rate increase that would see the average bill rise by about $27.

Duke’s request was at the center of a public hearing before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission on Thursday night in Fishers. It was the third of four planned field hearings on the matter.

Duke said it’s invested more than $1.5 billion in strengthening the power grid to keep up with growth in places like Hamilton County. The rate request would raise the utility company’s revenue by nearly $500 million, according to the IURC.

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis has emerged as an outspoken critic of the rate hike, which Duke filed in April.

“So if Hamilton County is growing, what about other counties that aren’t growing? You’re gonna give them a rate decrease?” Willis asked. “We all know it’s a statewide increase whether you’re growing or not.”

Willis said Duke has seen a significant increase in profits and questioned why the company needed to raise rates.

“When you see 263% increase in profits, and you’re asking, oh, by the way, for more of an increase, I think there’s a buffer there to invest and keep up with the growth in Hamilton County without constantly going to the well and asking for more money,” he said.

Duke contended the utility was aiming to move away from coal by 2035 and believes the increase is necessary to keep up with changes in technology and growing communities. A spokesperson said Duke was aware of the financial pressure residents face.

“We don’t take making a rate request lightly. We know customers expect us to do everything we can to keep bills as low as possible,” said Angeline Protogere with Duke Energy.

“Our ultimate responsibility is reliable power. We have to balance energy that can be dispatched and operate 24 hours a day with renewable energy that is also weather-dependent,” Protogere said.

Several residents who spoke at Thursday’s hearing asked the commission to deny Duke’s request.

“Instead of just seeing one person up here, think of me as about two million people in Indiana, adults, living paycheck to paycheck. We request the commission to deny Duke’s proposal,” said Nancy Vesely.

Other residents who spoke said Duke shouldn’t be “rewarded for their poor business decisions” and reminded the IURC that many were on fixed incomes and simply can’t afford to pay more.

Others brought up concerns about Duke’s reliance on fossil fuels and the environmental impact on generations to come.

The IURC held previous hearings in Bloomington and Terre Haute. The agency will hold a fourth hearing in New Albany at a future date.

Residents have until July 5 to submit public comments online or via mail. They should reference “IURC Cause No. 46038” or “Duke Energy Rates” in their correspondence. Find more information here .

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