02/21/11 The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is inviting written consumer comments on Marshall County Rural Electric Membership Corporation’s (Marshall County REMC’s) request for a rate increase.

The OUCC – the state agency representing consumer interests in all cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) – has not yet taken a position in this case and is scheduled to file testimony on March 21, 2011.

Marshall County REMC – which provides service to approximately 7,000 member-customers in 6 northern Indiana counties (Marshall, Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, St. Joseph, and Starke) – is one of four REMCs whose rates and charges are under IURC jurisdiction.

According to its testimony before the Commission, the utility is seeking the increase due to higher operating costs and infrastructure improvements. Current base rates for Marshall County REMC were approved in 2004. Under the utility’s request, monthly charges for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) would rise from to $134.55 to $155.00.

Consumers who wish to submit written comments in this case may send them to the OUCC by mail, fax or e-mail, or through the OUCC’s Website:

* 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

All written comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to IURC Cause No. 43964. The OUCC will file all written comments it receives by March 14, 2011 with the IURC for inclusion in the case’s official record.

An IURC technical evidentiary hearing in this case is scheduled for April 26, 2011 in Indianapolis. While open to the public, participation in evidentiary hearings is typically limited to attorney and Commission questioning of technical witnesses who have filed testimony on behalf of the case’s formal parties.

For more information on this case, including links to the utility’s testimony, please visit the OUCC Website at www.in.gov/oucc/2644.htm. The OUCC Website also offers tips for saving energy, a guide to the regulatory process, and information on many other utility consumer issues.