With talk of a rate hike, Indiana Michigan Power has scheduled public hearings.

Locally, they will hold a public hearing July 11 at the Century Center in South Bend. Two other meetings have been planned at Ball State and Purdue University Fort Wayne.

I&M is seeking an increase that would raise the average monthly customer bill about $22.

Their request for the increase is still pending and if approved would happen in three phases with the first happening immediately and the other two spread out between May of 2020 and January of 2021.

They cite an increase is operating and maintenance costs as the reasons for the hike.

You can find more information on the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor’s website: https://www.in.gov/oucc/