Citizens Energy looks raise rates $6 per month

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Citizens Energy says it needs more money to continue improvements the company has made in its water service.

On Friday, Citizens asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to approve a rate increase.

Citizens says the average water bill is $30 a month now. The proposed increase would add an average of $6 to each bill, if the regulators approve the request.

As part of its presentation, the company said it proposed a program for “a new low-income residential rate” for customers “who are enrolled in the Indiana Energy Assistance Program.

A release from Citizens said that program would provide a 15 percent discount for those low-income customers.

Citizens said it has invested more than $230 million in the system since taking over the utility in 2011.

“We knew rate increases would be necessary in order to upgrade a system that had been neglected for decades,” the release said.