Nearly a week after a historic storm ripped through Northwest Indiana with hurricane-force winds, more than 100,000 NIPSCO customers remained without power Monday morning as communities continued grappling with widespread damage and disruptions. As NIPSCO crews worked through the weekend to repair the battered electrical system after the Aug. 11 storm, federal assistance was also […]
Utilities
Posted inPublic Safety, Utilities
Gary Declares Disaster Emergency After Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power
The city of Gary declared a local disaster emergency Wednesday after a powerful storm packing hurricane-force wind gusts tore through Northwest Indiana and parts of Illinois, causing widespread destruction, leaving thousands without electricity, and disrupting daily life across the region. Tuesday’s severe weather produced wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, heavy rain, and lightning. The storm […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, Utilities
Gary Leaders Fear Indiana’s AI Boom Might Mean Higher Utility Bills for Residents
Gary Common Council members are back at the table with a familiar question: As AI data centers multiply across northern Indiana, who ends up paying for the power they need? Kerwin Olson, executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, argued at a public forum Wednesday that residents already squeezed by rising NIPSCO bills could be […]
Posted inPartner Content, Utilities
NIPSCO Among Utilities Under Fire as Complaints and Bills Surge
This story was originally published by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Indiana regulators on Tuesday spent hours questioning the state’s biggest energy providers on their rates, customer service and more amid rising frustration from ratepayers. Utility representatives testified that customer usage is the primary driver of high bills — linking factors like extreme temperatures, home insulation […]
Posted inEconomic Development, Politics & Policy, Utilities
Gary Residents Question Whether Data Centers Are Worth the Cost
Gary officials and residents are grappling with whether the city should welcome data centers amid concerns about environmental impacts, tax incentives, and strain on local infrastructure. During a public forum hosted by Common Council member Darren Washington, community members, environmental advocates, and residents discussed the potential benefits and liabilities of data center development in Gary. […]
Posted inEducation, Health, Politics & Policy, Utilities
Gary Lawmakers Warn New Laws Could Raise Energy Bills, Cut Medicaid Coverage
Gary residents could soon feel the effects of new state laws on everything from health care coverage to energy bills and public schools, local lawmakers warned last week. At a legislative town hall Saturday in Gary, state Sen. Mark Spencer and state Reps. Earl Harris Jr. and Vernon Smith walked residents through the changes, highlighting […]
Posted inUtilities
As Utility Bills Rise, Northwest Indiana Lawmakers Want More Help For Families
As Northwest Indiana residents’ utility frustrations mount over triple-digit increases, legislators, too, are feeling the pressure to use the tools at their disposal to help provide relief. At the Statehouse on Thursday, lawmakers debated the details of House Bill 1002, a proposal intended to help customers manage higher utility costs through expanded payment plans, assistance […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, Utilities
Soaring NIPSCO Bills Spark Protests Across Northwest Indiana
What began as a handful of frustrated Facebook posts has turned into a digital pressure cooker. In recent weeks, a Northwest Indiana Facebook group dedicated to rising NIPSCO bills has swelled with screenshots of triple-digit increases, stories of skipped groceries and late rent, and calls for action. Demonstrations have followed, including in Valparaiso and Hammond. […]
Posted inPublic Services, Utilities
Electric Bills Rise Again, and Northwest Indiana Residents Say They’ve Had Enough
As triple-digit temperatures gripped Northwest Indiana this summer during a national heatwave, cities opened cooling centers and residents cranked up their air conditioners to stay safe. Days later, the region’s primary utility company hiked its electricity rates to a record high. Northern Indiana Public Service Co., the state’s largest natural gas and second-largest electric company, […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice, Unsafe Water, Utilities
In Gary, Thousands of Lead Pipes Still Lurk Beneath Homes
The report card for America’s infrastructure is out – and it’s not looking good. The nation received a C- for drinking water, a “mediocre” ranking that reflects widespread deterioration and requires attention. “Some elements exhibit significant deficiencies in conditions and functionality, increasing vulnerability to risk,” the report stated. The American Society of Civil Engineers, which […]
