Duke Energy Indiana $89M Overcharge: Utility Consumer Counselor Files IURC Appeal

Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor Abby Gray has filed a formal appeal before the full five-member IURC panel, accusing Duke Energy Indiana of over-collecting more than $89 million from customers across 69 counties. The mechanism is a clerical error: the IURC approved a revenue increase of $295.7 million in last year's rate case, but the written order accidentally stated $396 million, and Duke's compliance filings targeted $384.7 million. The Citizens Action Coalition and a coalition of large industrial ratepayers have joined the appeal. Duke has filed a notice of intent not to respond, forcing the commission to rule without rebuttal.

The concern here runs well past one clerical error. A ruling in Duke's favor keeps the door open for NIPSCO, CenterPoint, AES Indiana, and I&M to invoke the same logic in future compliance disputes. Annual forward exposure for Duke's industrial customers is $86 million if rates are not corrected. If you operate in Duke's 69-county service territory, confirm whether your facility has standing to join the industrial coalition in Cause No. 46038 before that ruling lands.