Gary residents affected by the powerful Aug. 11 storm that knocked out power in much of the region for roughly weeks may soon get the help they need. Shortly after speaking this week with Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and U.S. Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the […]
Utilities
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather, Public Services, Utilities
Churches, a Lawsuit and the Governor Are Pressuring NIPSCO After Gary’s Blackout
As power slowly returns to homes and businesses in Gary and across Northwest Indiana, Black faith leaders and elected officials alike are turning their focus to restoration, accountability, and solutions for future weather events. Fewer than 2,500 NIPSCO customers in Gary remained without power as of Tuesday morning, but that is more than 70% of […]
Posted inPublic Services, Utilities
How 99 MPH Winds Left Gary in the Dark for Nearly Two Weeks
A 99 mph wind gust — comparable to a Category 2 hurricane — tore through Gary on Aug. 11, battering neighborhoods and knocking out power to nearly 38,300 utility customers in the city. Ten days later, about 20,000 NIPSCO customers remained without electricity Friday morning. That’s nearly half of the roughly 43,000 customers still without […]
Posted inCommunity, Public Safety, Utilities
After 8 Days Without Power, Thousands in Gary Could Face Another Week in the Dark
Eight days after a historic storm knocked out power to most of Gary, a NIPSCO official announced that the utility is targeting 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, to fully restore power to the city. For some Gary residents, that could mean nearly two weeks without electricity. Melody Birmingham, executive vice president and utilities group president […]
Posted inPublic Safety, Utilities
Gary Residents Turn to Each Other as Storm Recovery Stretches Into a Second Week
The trees lining West Seventh Avenue in front of the former Brunswick Elementary School had weathered decades of storms, their thick trunks and sprawling roots becoming fixtures of the neighborhood. Within minutes, those roots were lifted up by a force of wind stronger than the area had seen before. “Those trees have been there longer […]
Posted inPublic Safety, Utilities
Days After Historic Storm, Thousands in Gary Are Still in the Dark
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 […]
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. […]
