LA PORTE, Ind. -- Amid growing frustration over rising gas costs and higher monthly bills, NIPSCO is hosting a series of community events aimed at addressing customer concerns.
NIPSCO launched the first of three “Community Customer Care Centers” in LaPorte at The Civic Auditorium, inviting residents to speak directly with company representatives about their bills.
The open houses are self-guided events, allowing attendees to move between stations with varying focuses, including the impact of data centers on infrastructure.
Although the event was open to the public, media were not allowed to film inside, and company experts staffing the stations were not permitted to step away for interviews.
Some residents said they left with a better understanding of their bills. Olga Pothorsa of Westville said the explanations she received were helpful.
“When you’re explained very, very well, you can’t really argue,” Pothorsa said. “It was beneficial. It’s kind of one of those things you have to pay regardless. It’s like your mortgage. You can’t avoid it. You just pay it and smile.”
Handouts provided at the event state that increased usage during the winter months is driving up both supply and delivery portions of bills. NIPSCO also said it does not mark up the cost of natural gas and that its partnership with Genco ensures data centers cover their own infrastructure costs rather than passing them on to residential customers.
Adan Hoops of LaPorte said rising costs have become unmanageable since her mother’s death.
“When she was around, we could handle it every month,” Hoops said. “If not, then we got help with the trustee’s office. But now it’s way over my head. It is a juggling chain between this bill and that bill.”
Hoops said she and her family plan to move because of rising costs in the area.
“We have to move,” she said. “I love this town. I love all the people in it.”
NIPSCO will host its next care center Tuesday at the Porter County Fairgrounds and again Mar. 2 at the Barbara White Community Center in Merrillville.