CenterPoint Energy customers already paid high energy bills due to prolonged and excessive cold this past winter, and they're about to experience an increase again.
CenterPoint Energy will recoup extra fuel costs from ratepayers related to Winter Storm Fern. The weather event with snow and excessive cold happened late January.
The utility filed a fuel adjustment clause with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) after paying nearly $20 million dollars more in fuel costs this winter.
Winter Storm Fern increased demand for natural gas, while global prices for fuel were already up.
The utility can’t profit from high fuel costs, but they can recoup the extra expense.
CenterPoint said it will spread that extra cost over six months instead of three — but even spreading it out will be noticeable.
An average customer will experience a $.30-cents per day increase or $9 per month.
Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana said in a news release, “we understand that any bill increase is impactful, and while we do not control the costs of fuel, we want to maintain our commitment to transparency and do everything we can to help our customers."
He mentioned the available financial assistance, energy efficiency and cost-saving programs, which can be accessed at the link below.
CenterPoint Energy Resource hub
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