Indiana Utility Rate Assistance

• The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has approved energy assistance programs for the state´s three natural gas utilities: NIPSCO, Citizens Gas, and Vectren, with most of the funding coming from customer surcharges. NIPSCO's Winter Warmth program ($5.7 million for 2006) was paid for through a surcharge on customers' bills and a $1.15 million contribution from NIPSCO. Winter Warmth provides payments of up to $450 as well as deposit assistance. Low-income customers of Vectren and Citizens Gas receive help through what´s called the gas Universal Service Program (USP); after applying for LIHEAP they are automatically enrolled in the USP and receive monthly bill reductions ranging from 9 to 39 percent. USP funding totaled around $8 million for 2006.
  
  
• Utility gas company waivers

LEVERAGING

2006: $13.8 million
2005: $12.3 million
2004: $135,000 (waivers)
2003: $109,800
2002: $106,506
2000: $259,785
1999: $1.3 million
1998: $1.8 million
1997: $502,550

Page Last Updated: August 13, 2007