Overview
- Dozens gathered outside NIPSCO’s Merrillville headquarters for a second protest in less than a week, calling for lower prices and restored service for vulnerable customers.
- Organizers delivered a seven‑day deadline for action and said demonstrations will expand to other NIPSCO sites, with a lead organizer pledging to sleep outside the HQ.
- Customers reported steep increases, including a Munster resident’s bill rising from $259 to $489 and an East Chicago restaurant’s December charge climbing from roughly $1,700 to nearly $2,500 year over year.
- NIPSCO said customers are seeing higher‑than‑normal bills due to increased winter gas usage, citing an average of about 160 therms in January versus 14 in August, and highlighted payment plans and assistance programs.
- An evidentiary hearing was held Wednesday as the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission investigates reported billing discrepancies tied to automated gas meters.