State Representative Gail Riecken’s Latest Vectren Related Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS —— Outraged by yet another rate hike request from Vectren, State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) will press the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to proceed with a public hearing in Vanderburgh County to give residents a full opportunity to register their concerns.

“Today we get the latest word about the unchecked greed demonstrated by Vectren: another dollar a month from local families to pay for construction costs at its Posey County plant,” Riecken said.

“Like a spoiled child, this company shows no shame in its behavior,” she continued. “It’s certainly apparent that Vectren is not content with simply charging the highest electric rates in the state for residential customers. It must go back month after month and ask for residents to pay for more and more and more.

“I know that the current administration and its appointees at the IURC have been fond of enabling this kind of behavior, but it is far past time to stage an intervention and teach Vectren that it has to live within its means, just like the rest of us,” Riecken said.

The legislator said she has received assurances from IURC Chairman James Atterholt that the commission will come to the Evansville area to give residents a chance to speak about the problems they have encountered in paying their utility bills.

“We need to have a public forum to shed some light on the utility’s broad-based arrogance in customer relations, concerns that stretch beyond unchecked rate increases to include Vectren having a generally poor attitude toward anyone who might have a legitimate problem with service,” Riecken said.
“With this recent news, I have to think that there is an added urgency toward scheduling some type of hearing in the very near future,” she noted.

“I believe that most folks are unaware of their rights as ratepayers,” Riecken said. “They often feel that they have no place to turn when they have reached an impasse with the utility. In fact, they may have more rights than they believe. All they need is someone to explain what can be done on their behalf.”
A public hearing would give IURC staff a chance to listen to grievances and provide a clear and a precise definition of the steps they can take to file a complaint, Riecken stated.

“I believe the value of a public hearing in Vanderburgh County that focuses on these issues is important simply because many people do not have the time to drive to Indianapolis to testify at IURC hearings,” she said. “A lot of residents I talk to feel the hearing process is weighted toward the company, and local appearances will give them a better chance to make their feelings known.

“The fact that Vectren is choosing to raid the wallets of taxpayers for the umpteenth time only makes this local hearing a greater necessity, and I will work with the IURC to get it on the calendar as soon as we possibly can,” Riecken concluded.