Sec. 6. (a) The commission shall value all property of every public utility actually used and useful for the convenience of the public at its fair value, giving such consideration as it deems appropriate in each case to all bases of valuation which may be presented or which the commission is authorized to consider by the following provisions of this section. As one of the elements in such valuation the commission shall give weight to the reasonable cost of bringing the property to its then state of efficiency. In making such valuation, the commission may avail itself of any information in possession of the department of local government finance or of any local authorities. The commission may accept any valuation of the physical property made by the interstate commerce commission of any public utility subject to the provisions of this act.

     (b) The lands of such public utility shall not be valued at a greater amount than the assessed value of said lands exclusive of improvements as valued for taxation. In making such valuation no account shall be taken of presumptive value resting on natural resources independent of any structures in relation thereto, the natural resource itself shall be viewed as the public’s property. No account shall be taken of good will for presumptive values growing out of the operation of any utility as a going concern, all such values to rest with the municipality by reason of the special and exclusive grants given such utility enterprises. Except in a proceeding under IC 8-1-30, and except as provided in IC 8-1-30.3-5 and IC 8-1.5-2-6.1, no account shall be taken of construction costs unless such costs were actually incurred and paid as part of the cost entering into the construction of the utility. Except in a proceeding under IC 8-1-30, and except as provided in IC 8-1-30.3-5 and IC 8-1.5-2-6.1, all public utility valuations shall be based upon tangible property, that is, such property as has value by reason of construction costs, either in materials purchased or in assembling of materials into structures by the labor or (of) workers and the services of superintendents, including engineers, legal and court costs, accounting systems and transportation costs, and also including insurance and interest charges on capital accounts during the construction period. As an element in determining value the commission may also take into account reproduction costs at current prices, less depreciation, based on the items set forth in the last sentence hereof and shall not include good will, going value, or natural resources.

     (c) In determining the amount of allowable operating expenses of a utility, the commission may not take into consideration or approve any expense for institutional or image building advertising, charitable contributions, or political contributions.

Formerly: Acts 1913, c.76, s.9; Acts 1933, c.190, s.4; Acts 1947, c.307, s.1. As amended by Acts 1979, P.L.85, SEC.1; P.L.90-2002, SEC.309; P.L.98-2016, SEC.1.