Indiana Pilot Begins Jan. 1 for Gas Customers

On August 18, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved a two-year pilot program to help low-income natural gas customers with their gas bills and weatherize their homes.

Called the Universal Service Program (USP), it is the result of an agreement among two of the state's gas utilities (Citizens Gas and Vectren), the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana (CAC) and a group of manufacturing and health providers (See LIHEAP Networker # 50.)

Beginning Jan. 1, 2005, eligible customers who have applied for the state's LIHEAP through local community action agencies will automatically be enrolled in the new USP and will receive bill reductions in addition to LIHEAP. Monthly bill reductions will range from 9 percent to 32 percent of the total bill (not including LIHEAP benefits), depending on the consumer's income level and utility provider. For example, a family of four with an annual income of $23,000 would see a total monthly bill reduction of approximately 40 percent for Citizens Gas and 50 percent for Vectren.

The pilot USP will also provide additional funding to both utilities' weatherization programs which target qualifying low-income households with high energy use. The programs help those consumers improve the energy efficiency of their homes, resulting in cost savings year-round.

Approximately 21,000 Vectren customers and approximately 16,000 Citizens customers are expected to participate in the two-year pilot.

Source: WISH - Indianapolis

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005