Who We Are
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency formally representing residential, commercial, and industrial utility consumer interests.
We are separate from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) and participate in IURC cases on the public’s behalf. We also participate in cases before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Indiana Court of Appeals, and the Indiana Supreme Court.
Our staff of attorneys, accountants, engineers, and economists is committed to strong legal and technical representation for consumers in rate cases and additional IURC proceedings.
We bring hundreds of years of professional experience to the table every day as we address issues with electric, natural gas, water, and sewer utilities.
Public Input
In addition to our legal and technical work, the OUCC invites written consumer comments in all cases. Comments are welcome by mail and online. We file comments received before our testimonial deadlines with the Commission so they are included in the case’s formal record.
What We Do
Our casework before the IURC involves rates, service quality, service territories, and additional matters.
The OUCC and the IURC are separate agencies. The OUCC represents the interests of all consumers. The IURC, as the regulator, is required by law to make decisions ensuring safe and reliable utility service at just and reasonable rates.
Each case is a legal proceeding. The IURC is required to base its ruling on the law and on evidence presented by the utility, the OUCC, and additional parties that may intervene.
The OUCC has a specific amount of time in each case to examine a utility’s request. We present the results of our review through formal written testimony. Our work in preparing testimony includes examining utility accounting and financial records, conducting engineering analyses, inspecting facilities, and asking questions through legal discovery.
An important note:
Rates and charges of certain utilities are regulated at the local level and not by the IURC. These include most municipal utilities (which are regulated by locally elected city and town councils) and rural electric membership cooperatives (which are regulated by elected boards of directors).
Did You Know?
- The OUCC is one of the oldest state agencies of its type in the nation.
- The Utility Consumer Counselor is appointed by the governor and serves a four-year term. He or she must be a practicing attorney, “qualified by knowledge and experience to practice in utility regulatory agency proceedings.”
- Our staff has more than 1,000 years of combined legal, professional, and utility industry experience.
- We participate in more than 300 regulatory cases each year.
- Members of our staff are active in the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA).
- In addition to our casework, we offer consumer publications on a wide range of utility issues.
- The OUCC’s monthly newsletter - "Consumer News... For You" - offers a quick overview of current utility-related topics while providing resources for those who may want to dig deeper into a particular case or issue. To subscribe, visit: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INSTATE/subscriber/new?category_id=INSTATE_C242 .
Our Mission
To represent all Indiana consumers with integrity and professionalism in ensuring quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education and creative problem solving.
For More Information
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Toll-free: 1-888-441-2494
Voice/TDD: (317) 232-2494
Fax: (317) 232-5923
Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC
E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
(1/2020)