The state’s utility consumer advocate says Indiana Michigan Power’s proposed rate increase is too high.  As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Nick Janzen reports, the agency recommends less than half of the utility’s requested $263 million rate hike.

Indiana-Michigan Power’s increase would go towards infrastructure upgrades, such as replacing power lines and trimming trees to avoid outages. Customers could see their monthly bill go up by about $26.

But public testimony in the case has been overwhelming negative. Anthony Swinger is a spokesperson for the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, which represents the public in utility rate cases. He says the OUCC concluded the utility doesn’t need that much.

“We’ve looked over pages and pages of testimony and evidence and we’re recommending approval of a little less than half of the rate increase I&M has asked for,” he says.

It recommends an increase of only $125 million.

I&M has until December 6 to file a response with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, which will ultimately set the rate.