Authority: IC 8-1-1-3; IC 8-1-2-42

Affected: IC 8-1-1-5; IC 8-1-2-34.5; IC 8-1-2-54

Sec. 7. (a) If any person or entity has an objection to a filing made under this rule, the objection shall be filed through the commission's electronic filing system.

(b) An objection must be:

1. (1) received not later than fifteen (15) business days after the date the filing is submitted to the commission; and
2. (2) emailed to the utility using the contact information in the filing outlined in section 5(a)(2)(D) of this rule.

(c) An objection must include a description of:

1. (1) how the objector would be adversely affected if the filing is approved; and

2. (2) the reason at least one (1) of the following applies to the filing:

   1. (A) It is a violation of:

      1. (i) applicable law;
      2. (ii) a prior commission order; or
      3. (iii) a commission rule;
   2. under which the filing was made.
   3. (B) Information in the filing is inaccurate.

   4. (C) The filing is:

      1. (i) incomplete; or
      2. (ii) prohibited under section 4 of this rule.

(d) Within ten (10) calendar days after the objection is emailed to the utility, the utility may submit through the commission's electronic filing system at least one (1) of the following:

1. (1) A response to the objection.
2. (2) Clarification of the filing.
3. (3) Additional information.
4. (4) An amendment to the filing.
5. (5) A withdrawal of its filing.

A filing may be withdrawn at any time before it is presented to the commission for approval under section 8 of this rule.

(e) If an objection is resolved to the satisfaction of the:

1. (1) objector;
2. (2) utility;
3. (3) OUCC; and
4. (4) commission division;

the filing may continue through the recommendation and approval process in section 8 of this rule. Otherwise, if the filing has not been previously withdrawn by the utility, the filing, under IC 8-1-1-5, may not be presented to the commission for consideration on an objection that complies with this section.

(f) If an objection that complies with this section is not received by the commission by the deadline specified in subsection (b)(1), the objection may still be:

1. (1) a basis for an investigation by the commission;

2. (2) used as part of a complaint that complies with:

   1. (A) IC 8-1-2-54; or
   2. (B) IC 8-1-2-34.5(b); and
3. (3) considered by the commission in accordance with the commission's procedural rules and evidentiary standards in subsequent related filings by the utility.

(g) Nothing in this rule shall restrict:

1. (1) a person's or an entity's rights regarding, or access to, the complaint processes and procedures of the commission; or
2. (2) the commission's investigatory authority.

(Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission; 170 IAC 1-6-7; filed Nov 25, 2008, 1:18 p.m.: 20081217-IR-170070829FRA; readopted filed Jul 29, 2014, 8:39 a.m.: 20140827-IR-170140181RFA; readopted filed Apr 15, 2020, 12:02 p.m.: 20200513-IR-170200084RFA; filed Jan 24, 2025, 10:09 a.m.: 20250219-IR-170240378FRA)