Utility Counselor Recommends Against Vectren Plan Approval

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana's utility consumer counselor is recommending that state regulators reject Vectren Corp.'s proposed energy efficiency plan.

The state office that represents consumer interests in utility matters says Vectren's plan seeks to recover more costs than necessary from its customers.

Utility consumer counselor spokesman Anthony Swinger says the office believes Evansville-based Vectren already has "the revenues needed to provide the programs."

The Evansville Courier & Press reports that utility analyst Edward Rutter says 57 percent of every dollar spent on Vectren's plan would actually go to costs not associated with energy efficiency programs.

A law passed by state lawmakers this year requires utilities to seek regulatory approval of new efficiency programs by the end of 2017.

Indiana law allows utilities to recover the costs of those programs through rates.