CenterPoint customers in seven southern Indiana counties could see a three-month rate hike next year as the utility company seeks approval for a fuel cost adjustment.
The rate increase request comes after the utility had to purchase power from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator network due, mainly, to a coal-fired plant becoming inoperable after a turbine failed, according to partially redacted testimony of CenterPoint Vice President of Power Generation Operations Wayne Games.
“That always irks consumer advocates because rate payers continue to pay for the power plant,” Olson said. “So, they’re paying for a power plant that’s not producing energy and at the same time they’re forced to pay for replacement power because the power plant is not working.” The projected in-service date for the replacement turbine in Culley Unit 3 has been redacted due to the CEI South filing, which requested that some information in the testimony be classified as confidential. Games said that GE estimated 6-12 months from the time the replacement was located and purchased. The cost of the work to return the Culley Unit 3 to service was also redacted.
The commission’s decision on CenterPoint’s petition is pending, but Olson said he expects one by January.