The CCO asked the following question to State Representative Gail Riecken about her election stance on the Vectren rate increases. “The issue of Vectren and the request for an increase in the electric rate was one of your issues in this past election. Do you feel the Vectren rate increase proposal is still an issue?”
Following is her response:
Yes. The issue is the rate increase but the issue presents more challenges to us as ratepayers. Yes, it is how the increase affects homeowners and how the increase affects economic development, business and industry. I continue to advocate for those who contact me getting answers to their concerns about their Vectren bills. But, this rate increase is also a red flag where we, as citizens, had better get more involved.
So much of this process is complicated and we need to be sure professionals on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission are committed to being accountable to the public. That is why I have two bills I will propose for legislative approval in the 2011 session.
One bill provides for transparency in the selection process of appointees to the Indiana utility regulatory commission to the extent of legislative authority. The bill calls for the Indiana Regulatory Commission to hold public hearings on nominees proposed by the governor. I wish the legislature could approve nominees of the governor but that is beyond legislative authority by State constitution.
The other bill removes the one year waiver option. In other words, the employee that went from the Indiana utility regulatory commission straight to the energy company regulated by the commission would have to wait a year – no waiver.
As legislators , we are going to be challenged by many critical issues this year. None can be more important that making sure the cost of living and running a business in southwestern Indiana remain competitive. I call on other legislators to join me and co-author these important bills and local chambers and economic development organizations to support our efforts.
I doubt that Gail Riecken’s bills, even if they find cosponsors and are passed and signed by the governor, will produce much fruit.
What WILL produce fruit is the 4th estate doing their investigative best to get to the bottom of the question of why Vectren’s electric rates are so out of line with other local-area providers of electricity.
To that end, let me be the first to thank the CCO for giving this issue the attention it deserves.
I hope the rest of the media also step up to the plate in wanting to get to the bottom of this issue which is vital to the future of Evansville and Vanderburgh county and any future growth of the business community.
Why ARE we paying so much for electricity here in Evansville when compared to surrounding cities and counties?
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