Utilities, energy + affordability: What to know in Fort Wayne

Hey Locals,

In recent weeks and months, we've seen several headlines related to utilities, energy, and affordability in Fort Wayne. This week, we’re breaking down what practical information residents like you should know about these topics, which affect your budget and essential services.

To compile this report, we reached out to several local and state representatives, and we heard back from two:

• City Council Rep. Geoff Paddock (D-5), speaking on local matters.
• State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-82), speaking on how state-level decisions affect Fort Wayne residents.

We also compiled reports and research from several Indiana and national news organizations (linked below) to bring you this rundown. 

Here are three stories we’re watching, and why they matter.

1. City Utilities petitioning Aqua Indiana’s proposed sewer rate increase. 

A few quick things to know;

• Aqua Indiana is a water and wastewater utility service that provides sewer service to roughly 14,000 local residents – mostly in Southwest Fort Wayne and Allen County. It also provides water service to a handful of entire counties in Indiana (but not Allen).
• The company is requesting state approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for a controversial two-step rate increase for sewer and three-step increase for water services. If approved, this would take effect no earlier than April 2027. Aqua Indiana attributes the increases to “$60 million in capital infrastructure projects over the past decade… including an additional $35 million this year and through the end of 2027.”
• However, in June, the City filed a petition against Aqua Indiana’s rate hike, with a press release, questioning its promises to customers and its proposal to “socialize costs.” Aqua Indiana’s parent company is being sold to the New Jersey-based American Water, and the City says customers (like them) were told this acquisition would not lead to increased rates. The city also notes that the rate increase accompanies a proposal to consolidate “rates among numerous Aqua Indiana systems across the state to socialize costs,” meaning Fort Wayne-area ratepayers may be expected to offset costs outside their community, WANE 15 reports.
• The IURC recently granted the City’s petition. This allows the City to “seek more information, review data, challenge the requested profits and costs... and present evidence and arguments to the Commission.” A hearing is scheduled for December 7, and specific case details can be found here. Public comments regarding this issue can be submitted to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) here.

Why does this matter to you?