Summer is here and with it comes the threat of dangerous thunderstorms, tornados and winds that can wreak havoc and leave many with damaged homes and sometimes without electricity.
Reducing the vulnerability of its systems throughout Indiana is a top priority for NIPSCO.
“Providing a reliable, affordable and safe source of energy for customers and our communities is vital,” says Nick Meyer, director of external communications for NIPSCO.
NIPSCO appears to be adhering to the old saying that “money talks” in this regard and has initiated a seven-year, $1.25 billion electric infrastructure modernization plan extending to 2022 and a parallel $824 million seven-year gas modernization plan, according to Meyer.
“We are in the midst of making massive upgrades to modernize our gas and electric infrastructure to ensure future service reliability for our customers — some of the most significant investments in recent history,” Meyer says.
Electrical poles, wires, transformers, substations — both infrastructure and technology upgrades are all part of the improvements.
Meyer says the work being done is directly addressing aging portions of NIPSCO’s system, which are nearing their expected end of usefulness.
This year, NIPSCO has ramped up its efforts with the amount of work being done, according to Meyer, adding that across the company’s service area, which covers the northern third of the state, NIPSCO is investing $240 million in 87 gas and electric projects — outside of normal maintenance work.
Areas within Dyer, Crown Point and Schererville are just some of those local communities where underground electric lines will be replaced, Meyer says.
Across its service area, NIPSCO, he adds, will also be upgrading and replacing miles of overhead lines and electric poles. One of the more significant projects will run from Kouts to Hebron.
As part of the seven-year plan, NIPSCO is replacing all company owned streetlights with new, more efficient LED lights. This year, NIPSCO expects to replace streetlights with LED across a dozen communities, including East Chicago, Whiting, Dyer, Munster, Valparaiso, Schererville, Hebron, Highland and other areas.
“All of these projects are focused on maximizing the level of improvements based on what’s being spent,” Meyer says. “And, since our entire electric and natural gas system is tied together, these improvements will continue to positively impact customers in all areas of where we serve.”
For more information about all of NIPSCO’s infrastructure upgrades, visit NIPSCO.com/Future.
