Vectren 2009 Annual Report Download - page 5

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Vectren 2009 3
In September 2009, the Conservation Connection
contact center, which became operational in December
2006 and provides customers with direct access to
energy efciency experts by telephone, hit the
50,000-call milestone. In addition, the online energy
audit tool ended 2009 having had more than 250,000
customers accessing the web-based resource since its
debut in late 2006. These tools and resources have given
customers the assistance needed to understand their
role in managing energy costs and lowering their bills.
Home weatherization programs, which in 2009 received
millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds, continue
to be a priority of both states to help customers
break the cycle of high energy costs. In Ohio, our
Project TEEM (Teaching Energy Efciency Measures)
program has weatherized nearly 2,300 homes since
2005 and has proven to demonstrate energy savings
between 20 percent and 25 percent. In Indiana,
similar weatherization programs administered by local
community action agencies, when coupled with our own
targeted weatherization program, further help our
customers manage their energy costs over the long term.
Electric
The end of the year brought our request to adjust
electric base rates for the Vectren South service
territory. We certainly recognize this is a challenging
economy in which to seek a rate increase, and we
worked diligently to minimize the rate impact. At the
same time, the need to attract capital to provide the
service our customers require remains critical. The ling,
which was driven by the need to provide a fair return
on investments of more than $325 million in the past
three years, will likely conclude in late 2010.
The electric rate case also includes a request for
decoupled rates that will allow us to implement
Vectren’s energy efciency programs, collectively known as
Conservation Connection, offer incentives, tools and tips to Vectren’s
nearly one million natural gas customers and soon to its 140,000
electric customers to help them manage their energy costs. For
example, in the winter it is recommended that customers reverse
the ow of ceiling fans to force warm air down into the room.