Northern Indiana Public Service Company — or NIPSCO — has extended some temporary support measures for residential customers through May 15, according to an update from the utility.
NIPSCO won’t disconnect customers for nonpayment through May 15, according to the update.
“Many families are still making tough choices and energy bills are part of that,” Vince Parisi, NIPSCO president and COO, said in a Sunday news release. “This is about keeping customers connected and giving them time and support to find a payment solution that works for their solution.”
At the beginning of March, the company announced temporary support, including waived late and reconnect fees, paused service disconnections for nonpayment and reduced reconnect deposits for gas customers, according to Post-Tribune archives. Those support measures were available through March 31.
The Sunday news release also encourages customers to explore financial assistance programs online at nipsco.com/financialsupport.
“NIPSCO’s goal is to keep customers connected safely and responsibly by working with customers to help identify solutions that best fit their individual circumstances,” the news release said.
Northwest Indiana residents have been concerned with high utility bills since the beginning of the year. Multiple protests have been held regionally, and local and state officials aimed to take action to address energy affordability.
The IURC will host a listening session at the Gary Public Library’s Roma K. Ivey Community Room from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 13 to talk about energy affordability.
NIPSCO participated in an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission investigative inquiry, where the utility had up to 20 minutes to present on various topics, including how usage and rates lead to bills, the impact of growth on affordability, and short-term steps that can increase bill transparency and rising energy costs, according to Post-Tribune archives.
On March 24, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced that the Department of Energy has extended an order that requires NIPSCO to maintain operations at its R.M. Schahfer generating station in Wheatfield. Wright issued a previous order that went into effect on Dec. 23 and ended March 23.
In addition to NIPSCO, CenterPoint Energy and Midcontinent Independent System Operator were told to keep the F.B. Culley generating station operable in Newburgh. According to the executive order, the actions were made to ensure Midwest residents “have continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy,” and “prioritize minimizing electricity costs for the American people and minimizing the risk and cost of blackouts.”
The total cost to comply with the federal order is still being evaluated, according to NIPSCO. Parisi previously told the IURC that the investment cost could be about $100 million, according to Post-Tribune archives.
In July 2025, the Citizens Action Coalition found that statewide electric utility bills have increased more than $28 per month, or 17.5%. NIPSCO residential customers were hit hardest, with about a $50 per month increase, or 26.7%, in one year, according to Post-Tribune archives.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
