Indiana OKs 26-percent Indianapolis water increase
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.
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.
Led by Sky Schelle, east-side residents have formed The Friends of Pleasant Run.
Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis support sale of water, sewer utilities.
Gem Utilities Inc. and Gem Water Inc. have offered their sewer and water operations to the town of Cumberland for $6 million.
Testimony filed in Indianapolis Water Co.’s rate case shows the city in 2007 agreed to take on millions of dollars in costs
from the private firm it hired to operate the utility, including $48 million in retiree medical plan obligations.
The waterworks board’s plan to hire outside consultants to study the proposed sale of Indianapolis Water could delay the deal.
City-County Building energy-efficiency upgrades are set to be unveiled Tuesday afternoon. The nearly 50-year old landmark is the centerpiece of the city's greener-building initiative.
Citizens Energy should have completed the majority of its due diligence of the city’s water and sewer utilities, which
it plans to acquire, by the end of this month.
So far, in discussing his plan to sell the city’s water and sewer utilities, Mayor Greg Ballard has
emphasized the impact on utility rates, the $1.5 billion in city debt Citizens would assume, and the chance
to improve streets and sidewalks. But Ballard also has another key objective: business attraction and
expansion.