Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission asking for feedback on proposed gas rate increase for NIPSCO

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is asking for feedback on a proposed natural gas rate increase for NIPSCO.

NIPSCO is seeking a two-phase, $161.9 million increase in its annual operating revenues. The utility is seeking an increase due to infrastructure improvements and higher operating and maintenance costs.

This means the customer’s bill will increase to $25.50 under the utility’s request.

Even though the file for the testimony is for January 31, 2024, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor says they’re now accepting written comments.

Customers who want to submit written comments for the case record can do so on the OUCC’s website. All written consumer comments must be submitted to the OUCC by January 24, 2024.

“Public input is always important in a process like this. Our office represents and so we rely on the public to provide us with written comments detailing their concerns,” said Olivia Rivera, spokesperson for the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor.

Once the comments are submitted, the OUCC will take them and file them as part of testimony and utilize them as part of the case. A hearing will be held in Fort Wayne, but a date has not been scheduled yet.

Rivera says written comments have as much weight as spoken comments.

"Written comments are really simple," Rivera said. "We ask for the customer’s name, the city they live in, a zip code, a reference to the case whether that’d be cause number or the name of the case. Then, they can provide their comments. They can do that in writing, via email, via US mail, whatever they’re comfortable with."

As an additional way to hear feedback, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is holding a public field hearing on December 18 in La Porte. That meet will start at 6 p.m. Central Standard Time at the La Porte Civic Auditorium, located at 1001 Ridge St.