INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Duke Energy is proposing a nearly $2 billion upgrade of its electric grid that would include adding technology that Indiana's largest utility says would help reduce power outages.
Duke's seven-year plan filed Friday with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission includes infrastructure upgrades and adding new technology it says will mean fewer and shorter electrical outages.
If regulators approve the $1.9 billion plan, Duke says its Indiana customers would see rate increases averaging about 1 percent per year between 2016 and 2022.
Duke is Indiana's largest electric utility, with about 800,000 customers.
Citizens Action Coalition executive director Kerwin Olson says the consumer advocacy group opposes Duke's grid upgrade proposal.
Olson says the plan would cause significant rate increases that would harm the elderly, the disabled and those on fixed incomes.
