Source: Citizens Energy
The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST For Monday, June 29, 2015. (Interview Starts At 01:29 Mark On PODCAST Media Player) Nothing gets Hoosiers and Indianapolis residents riled up than announcements that utility bills are going up. Especially, electric, gas or water. Last week Citizens Energy announced that their Citizens Water division was filing with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) seeking an increase in water rates. If Citizens’ petition is approved, the average Citizens Water residential bill would increase by $6 per month starting in early 2016. The current average residential bill is $30 per month, depending on consumption. As part of the filing, Citizens is also proposing a new low-income residential rate that will provide a 15% discount to low-income customers who are enrolled in the Indiana Energy Assistance Program. Citizens also plans to create a special financial assistance fund exclusively for water customers in need. Revenue for the fund will be provided by the non-utility businesses Citizens operates.
Sarah Holsapple and Joel Gallagher of Citizens Energy appeared on Afternoons with Amos to talk about the proposed rate increases and why, from Citizens’ point of view, it needs to occur. Citizens says they need a rate increase because since 2011, Citizens has invested more than $230 million in the water utility. Those funds have allowed the utility to improve system integrity and reliability. Citizens has more than doubled the number of valves and fire hydrants replaced each year. Also, after Citizens bought the old Indianapolis Water Company from the City in 2011, Citizens began a water main replacement program to reduce water loss and operating costs. Finally, last week, Citizens announced the Citizens Reservoir project which will add a reservoir in Fishers which, according to Citizens, will help the region have an adequate drinking water supply for decades to come. Needless to say listeners were NOT happy about Citizens proposal and they peppered Holsapple and Gallagher with questions and complaints about Citizens water bills. Especially the high cost, in listeners minds, of improvements Citizens is making to the Indianapolis areas sewer system. Improvements mandated by the Federal Government, but which haven’t really been explained to the community. Judging from listener reaction, this proposed increase in water rates will be a passionate and contentious debate. The IURC will be holding hearings in several months of on Citizens’ proposal. You Can Click Here for the IURC’s Website. CONSUMER ASSISTANCE WEBSITE FOR IND UTILITY REGULATORY COMMISSION And Click Here for Citizens Energy’s website for more information on the proposed water rate increases. CITIZENS ENERGY GROUP WEBSITE
2014 Black Expo Health Fair
(Interview Starts At 46:38 Mark On PODCAST Media Player). For 30 years, Indiana Black Expo has been the scene for the largest health fair of its kind in the country. A health fair designed to provide health screenings and health information for Blacks and other minorities. The 30th annual Black and Minority Health Fair will be again part of this year’s 45th Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. Antoinette Holt, Director of Minority Health for the Indiana State Department of Health appeared on Afternoons with Amos to preview this year’s 30th Health Fair. Over $1,500 in free health screenings will be available. With the Health Fair’s One Stop-One Stick program participants can get tested for a variety of health issues with one blood draw. The Health Fair is Thursday July 16th thru Sunday July 19th, this year in Hall F of the Convention Center. Holt told listeners that on the Thursday, July 16th, which is a free preview of the Health Fair for senior citizens and the handicapped, free rides to and from the Convention Center will be provided that day, courtesy of the FSSA. To reserve a ride you must call 317-232-2036, by this Monday, July 6th. (Open Lines Starts At 57:06 Mark On PODCAST Media Player). In Open Lines Afternoons with Amos listeners weighed in on President Barack Obama’s eulogy at the funeral of Emmanuel AME Church Pastor and State Senator Clemenza Pickney, the Supreme Court decision on marriage, the passing of educator Marva Collins and much more. The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST for Monday, June 29th Runs 105 Minutes ©2015 WTLC/Radio One. PODCAST Begins After Brief Video Ad.
