By Quinn Fitzgerald
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS ­– The newest members of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission face a decision that could lead to a hike in the electric bills of some Hoosier consumers.

The Indianapolis Power & Light Company wants to increase customers’ electric bill rates to cover the cost of replacing older coal plants. If the IURC approves the request, the typical Hoosier customer could see their bill increase by about $14 per month by the end of 2018, according to a release by IPL.

Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday announced the appointment of Rep. David Ober, R-Albion, as a commissioner on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, a vacancy created by the retirement of Jim Atterholt.

Holcomb also announced that Jim Huston will serve as chairman of the IURC. Huston has served as the interim chairman since Atterholt retired in early January. IURC will soon begin accepting applications to fill another commission vacancy as Commissioner Angela Weber’s term expires April 1.

“Any change in the make-up of the commission, especially with the injection of some new faces and some youth, hopefully, that will turn things for the better,” Kerwin Olson, executive director of Citizens Action Coalition, said. “The commission has not been friendly to consumers lately so a shake-up will hopefully lead to better outcomes for the public.”

CAC is an organization that advocates for Hoosiers in utility-related issues, including intervening in rate cases before the IURC. Olson said there has been an imbalance in interests of the public and utility companies, giving utility companies more support than the public. He said he opposes IPL’s request because it is financially healthy while IPL customers are struggling to pay their electric bills, among other financial concerns.

“It’s customers that need a break. The company is doing fine,” Olson said.

During his nearly six-year legislative service, Ober chaired the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee. Ober said being chairman of the committee will help him transition into his role as a commissioner.

“My experience as chairman of the committee has been much like a consensus builder,” Ober said. “My job has been mostly to bring the parties together and meet with them to talk about what their goals are, what their needs are, and where the policy needs to land to be a good compromise for all those who are involved. That’s very similar to what the commission does.”

The IURC consists of five commissioners and a staff of about 75 accountants, economists, engineers, attorneys and other professionals. Both Olson and Ober said while there is a learning curve, the staff will help Ober and other new commissioners as they move into their roles.

“I’d like to think I’m prepared for whatever’s thrown at me when I get to the commission,” Ober said.

While he is excited to be joining IURC, he said he is going to the miss his time at Statehouse mostly because of the friends and colleagues he’s made.

“It’s a little bittersweet to move on to this new role,” Ober said. “I think the person who walked through those doors in 2012 and the person who leaves them in 2018 are two very different people.”

Monday, Holcomb called for a special legislative session, expected in May, but because Ober will resign as a representative April 1 and begin his role as commissioner April 2, he will not be joining his fellow lawmakers.

“I’ll be moving to Indianapolis and working in Indianapolis so when folks come in for the special I hope to see them socially, not professionally,” Ober said.

FOOTNOTE: Quinn Fitzgerald is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.