Citizens Energy gets interest-rate bargain on bonds sold for utility purchase
Stock-market swoon contributes to favorable terms on purchase of city’s water, sewer systems.
Stock-market swoon contributes to favorable terms on purchase of city’s water, sewer systems.
A central Indiana water tower that once served as a local landmark for residents is being targeted for demolition because officials say it poses a safety hazard to a nearby airport.
Democratic mayoral candidate Melina Kennedy unveiled a proposal Friday to set aside $150 million in proceeds from the sale of the city’s water and sewer utilities to fund early education, crime prevention and job training.
State regulators on Wednesday approved a proposal to transfer control of Indianapolis’ water and sewer utilities to a local not-for-profit trust. The $1.9 billion sale will put management of the utilities into the hands of Citizens Energy Group.
City officials are seeking bidders for the first phase of Indianapolis’ largest-ever public works project, an underground tunnel system equipped to store millions of gallons of raw sewage and prevent the excrement from flowing into local waterways.
The price to get big industrial firms like Eli Lilly and Co., National Starch and Rolls-Royce Corp. to support the sale of the city’s water and sewer utilities to Citizens Energy Group is at least $1.5 million.
Ratepayers would pay no more than $14 million to cover charges associated with Citizens’ purchase of Indianapolis water and sewer utilities. Some say the capped amount is too much.
A not-for-profit public trust that wants to buy Indianapolis' water and sewer utilities has agreed to document all of the savings it says the $1.9 billion deal would create. State regulators still must approve the transaction.
Regulators have approved a 26-percent rate increase for Indianapolis water customers, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission announced Wednesday, less than the 33.4-percent increase requested.
Testimony is part of effort to deny Veolia Water $29 million contract termination fee as part of utility sale. Group claims salaried employees owed millions of dollars.
The city should refuse to pay the contract-termination fee given alleged defaults by Veolia, the consumer group says. Veolia is out after city sells the water company to Citizens Energy Group.
Citizens Energy previously said not using the bonds would add about $100 million to the cost of the deal over 30 years.
Playing a limited role under Indianapolis Water's new owner, Citizens Energy, wouldn't be profitable, Veolia says. Citizens plans to make job offers to "substantially all" Veolia employees.
Consultant finds 23 or so customer-service jobs may be unneeded after Citizens Energy acquires city water and sewer utilities. Administrative jobs may also be on bubble, though most savings are from capital-related expenses.
If Citizens Energy can successfully manage and mitigate over the next two years the city’s lingering legal and contractual
obligations involving the water and sewer utilities Citizens is negotiating to buy, the city can hang onto an extra $25 million
in the deal.
The city's AAA bond rating boosts proceeds to $153.8 million. It originally expected $140 million for street, bridge and
sidewalk projects.
City-County Council members voted 19-10 Monday night to approve Republican Mayor Greg Ballard’s $1.9 billion plan to
transfer Indianapolis’ water and sewer utilities to Citizens Energy Group.
A plan to transfer the city's water and sewer utilities to Citizens Energy Group faces a key vote Monday night at a meeting
of the City-County Council.
Sale of city's water and sewer utilities faces showdown on Monday with full council vote.
The $1.9 billion deal still needs the OK of the City-County Council and state regulators.