IURC formally investigating NIPSCO's restoration practices following Aug. 11 storm
ABC 57 SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- In a filing dated Sept. 22, it was revealed that the Verified Petition filed by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor filed on Aug. 25 for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to Initiate an Investigation into NIPSCO's power outage restoration procedures and practices following the Aug. 11 storm has been approved.
The storm was deemed a derecho and left thousands of Hoosiers without power, in some cases for weeks.
This all comes after Gov. Mike Braun called for NIPSCO to be investigated.
When ABC57 reached out to NIPSCO for a comment regarding the formal investigation, the following statement was given:
"This was an unprecedented storm that caused extraordinary damage across northern Indiana. We are committed to cooperating with the IURC in the investigation, including providing information regarding our storm preparation and response, as well as our operations and ongoing efforts to serve our customers safely and reliably."
Following the approval of the investigation, Gary mayor Eddie D. Melton released the following statement:
"I support the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's investigation into NIPSCO's preparation for and response to the August 11 storm.
The storm was severe, but our residents deserve answers about preparedness, infrastructure, reliability, communication, and the prolonged restoration of power. In Gary, and throughout NWI, some residents were without electricity for two weeks.
An independent, fact-based investigation is the right step to determine what happened, what could have been done differently, and what must change moving forward.
I have already communicated the City's priorities directly to NIPSCO, and I will continue to advocate for greater
accountability, stronger infrastructure, improved emergency response, and a more reliable energy system for the people of Gary."
You can view the IURC's full initial order and the approved filing below:
