Vectren credits to gas customers validated.

Byline: Kristin McAllister

Apr. 12--The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday reaffirmed that Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio owed customers $6.5 million in overcharges, but customers won't see any of that on future bills because Vectren already credited them that cost.

The high court ruled 6-1 to uphold the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's orders requiring Vectren to refund customers natural gas cost overcharges collected in 2001 and 2002.

The court affirmed PUCO's finding that Vectren had made an overly conservative estimate of daily natural gas demand in its service area, then added a 5 percent reserve margin.

However, Chase Kelley, a …