Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, has disclosed the final details of the Powering Our Future plan following the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approval of a rate settlement agreement.
En virtud del acuerdo, la IURC aprobó un monto tarifario de $56.9 millones más $4.9 millones en ingresos por tarifas especiales, lo que suma un total de $61.8 millones. El aumento de las tarifas básicas para los clientes residenciales de Indiana se aplicará en dos etapas: la primera entrará en vigor a mediados de mayo, y la segunda, en enero de 2025.
"With the recent decision from the IURC, Indiana Michigan Power will continue its current work to provide safe, reliable power to our customers while increasing the resiliency of the grid for the future," said Steve Baker, I&M president and chief operating officer. "Through continuous collaboration with a number of stakeholders, we collectively reached a settlement we feel serves the best interests of our customers."
Enhancing Reliability and Updating Technology
I&M will continue to enhance reliability of service to customers by investing nearly $550 million in grid resiliency improvements. I&M plans to upgrade and replace aging infrastructure and add technology to reduce the duration and overall number of power outages.
Specific Indiana plans include replacing more than 2,800 poles and 240 miles of power lines, upgrading 15 substations and installing more "self-healing" grid technology to detect outages and automatically re-route electricity to improve outage times. I&M will also focus on inspecting and maintaining trees and other vegetation along more than 5,000 line miles.
Optimización de la Experiencia del Cliente
I&M finalizará la instalación de la Infraestructura de Medidores Avanzados (AMI) para todos los clientes minoristas de Indiana que no opten por excluirse del programa a fines de 2024 Approximately 73% of Indiana customers currently have an AMI system, or smart meter installed. Con estos sistemas, los clientes pueden controlar mejor su consumo de energía y su factura, ya que les permiten controlar el uso diario y recibir alertas cuando el consumo energético es mayor de lo habitual. Los clientes también tienen la ventaja de un servicio al cliente optimizado, con notificaciones sobre los apagones en tiempo real.
Como parte de sus constantes esfuerzos por prestar un mejor servicio, I&M presentará un proyecto de varios años destinado a implementar un nuevo sistema de información para los clientes. Esta moderna plataforma permitirá a I&M satisfacer las expectativas de los clientes mejorando las vías de comunicación mediante texto, email, aplicaciones para teléfono inteligente y el sitio web de la compañía.
La Energía Limpia como Prioridad
I&M has been approved to take the initial step in determining whether to seek approval for a 20-year license extension of the Cook Nuclear Plant, which is capable of powering more than 1.5 million average homes. Sus dos unidades, que generan energía por separado, tienen licencia hasta 2034 y 2037, respectivamente.
The process for extending the license of a nuclear plant is extensive, requiring engineering studies, technical analysis and equipment inspection to prepare an application to extend the operating license. Further consideration of a Cook license extension will be included in I&M's 2024 Integrated Resource Plan, which examines how I&M will meet customers' future energy needs.
Términos adicionales
- I&M has engaged with the Citizens Action Coalition (CAC), City of Fort Wayne, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) and any other interested stakeholders in advance of I&M’s future Electric Vehicle (EV) filing to accept stakeholder feedback.
- I&M has agreed to work with the CAC and other interested stakeholders on potential updates to I&M’s interconnection procedures in Indiana to facilitate distributed generation, including solar and wind, while ensuring the safety and reliability of the energy distribution system and compliance with Indiana law and regulation.
- La disposición de la Comisión también aprueba los términos adicionales que las partes acordaron y que formaban parte del acuerdo en este proceso.