IN Extends Gas Assistance Programs

On December 6 the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved the extension of current energy assistance programs for the state’s three natural gas utilities: Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), Citizens Gas, and Vectren through the end of the heating season.

NIPSCO’s Winter Warmth Program will provide about $4 million in assistance through a 63-cent surcharge on NIPSCO customers' monthly bills and a contribution by the utility. Winter Warmth provides energy assistance payments of up to $450 and can also be used for deposits.  Last year, the program distributed $5.6 million in bill- and-deposit assistance for 15,321 low-income and hardship customers.  It also provided $750,000 for weatherization services.  It was established in December 2004 and has been renewed yearly.

About 46,000 low-income customers of Vectren and Citizens Gas will benefit from the IURC’s extension of the gas Universal Service Program (USP).  Eligible customers who have applied for LIHEAP through local Community Action Agencies will automatically be enrolled in the 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), 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.

Approximately 29,000 Vectren customers and approximately 17,000 Citizens customers are expected to continue participation in the five-month program extension. The USP was established in January 2005 through a collaborative agreement among the two utilities, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana and a group of manufacturing firms and health care providers.

Source: Indiana newspapers, Citizens Gas, IURC

Page Last Updated: December 13, 2006