OUCC NEWS RELEASE, ISSUED 7-28-09:

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is inviting public comments as it reviews the request of Wastewater One, LLC to purchase the assets of River's Edge Utility, Inc., and to increase rates for River's Edge customers.

The OUCC - the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) - has not yet taken a position on Wastewater One's request. Currently, the OUCC anticipates completing its technical and legal review in this case and filing testimony with the Commission on August 10, 2009.

River's Edge is a for-profit utility providing water and wastewater service to customers within the River's Edge subdivision in Clark County, Indiana. The utility, its business practices and questions regarding its authority to provide sewer utility service have been under investigation in IURC Cause No. 43115 since September 2006. Current rates for River's Edge were approved in 2003.

Wastewater One - a for-profit entity based in Jeffersonville - intervened in this case in June 2009 and is seeking to purchase the assets of River's Edge and to increase rates. In its testimony and exhibits, Wastewater One states that the majority of the requested increase would cover proposed operating and maintenance costs. For a metered residential customer using 5,000 gallons per month, the monthly combined water and sewer bill would rise from $45.10 to $157.00.

Wastewater One is also seeking pre-approval of a series of planned infrastructure improvements, the costs of which would be recovered in a separate, future rate case.

Consumers who wish to submit written comments in this case may do so via mail, fax, or the Internet:

• Mail: Consumer Services Staff
  Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
  115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
  Indianapolis, IN 46204
• Fax: (317) 232-5923
• E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
• OUCC Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC

Written comments should include the consumer's name, mailing address, and a reference to "IURC Cause No. 43115." The OUCC needs to receive all comments in this case no later than August 5, 2009.

Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC's consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.

For additional information on this case, including a copy of Wastewater One's testimony and exhibits, please visit the OUCC Website at www.in.gov/oucc/2566.htm.

(IURC Cause No. 43115)

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency that represents residential and business consumer interests in cases before state and federal utility regulatory commissions. To learn more, visit www.IN.gov/OUCC.