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45oU CH B <br /> O FAQ a; <br /> iF 2 <br /> U d <br /> L4 a..; <br /> le <br /> . a2 <br /> 1865 <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> NEWS RELEASE <br /> November 3,2011 <br /> 10:00 am <br /> City intervenes in I&M base rate case <br /> Mayor seeks to retain competitive edge for business growth <br /> Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564, Chuck <br /> Leone, City Attorney, 235-9241, or Attorney Shaw R. Friedman, 219-326-1264 <br /> Mayor Stephen J. Luecke announced today that the City of South Bend has intervened in the <br /> pending I&M electric base rate to retain a competitive edge for the greater South Bend area when <br /> it comes to business growth and economic development. <br /> The Mayor said the City has "successfully marketed I&M's comparatively low electric rates to <br /> help sell this area to prospective business, and we don't want to see our economic development <br /> efforts hurt by a big increase." The City, which spends more than $3.1 million annually on <br /> electricity charges on everything from facilities to streetlights, also is seeking greater <br /> collaboration with the utility on renewable energy alternatives, including net metering. <br /> Luecke said the city has hired two attorneys experienced in representing governmental entities <br /> and consumer interests in front of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, LaPorte attorney <br /> Shaw Friedman and Indianapolis attorney Robert Wright, to represent the city's interests. <br /> "We've negotiated a discounted governmental rate with both attorneys. They will work to help <br /> keep I&M's base rate competitive with surrounding areas to give South Bend an edge when it <br /> comes to recruiting new businesses and jobs," Luecke said. "City government occasionally has <br /> to take a stand in front of the regulators, and I thought it was important we play a role in the <br /> process." <br /> I&M is requesting an increase in annual revenues of$178 million. I&M's last base rate case was <br /> started in June 2007 and concluded in March 2009. "We intervened in that case, along with <br /> other consumer parties, and were able to successfully get I&M's initial request of a 14 percent <br />