NIPSCO leader discusses rising bills at IURC investigative inquiry

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) held an investigative inquiry into the state’s energy affordability crisis, with Chairman Andy Zay acknowledging significant public outrage over rising utility bills. Five Indiana utilities, including Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), AES Indiana, CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy, and Indiana Michigan Power Company, presented on factors contributing to high bills, bill transparency, and energy assistance programs. The meeting took place at the PNC Center in Indianapolis. NIPSCO President and COO Vince Parisi discussed the utility’s extensive reach, serving 500,000 electric and 900,000 natural gas customers across Indiana’s northern 32 counties. Parisi noted a projected 16% increase in winter bills between 2025 and 2026 and highlighted NIPSCO's efforts to improve bill transparency through explanation documents and listening sessions. He also stated that NIPSCO’s GenCo model aims to ensure customers do not bear the costs associated with data centers in Northwest Indiana. Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor Abby Gray reported thousands of ratepayer complaints, emphasizing the need for clarity. The inquiry follows the passage of House Enrolled Act 1002 during the 2026 Indiana legislative session, designed to tackle energy affordability. This legislation allows residential ratepayers to use budget billing, prohibits disconnections for low-income customers during extreme heat, ties utility profits to performance metrics, and establishes a three-year rate plan. State Rep. Randy Novak (D-Michigan City) expressed gratitude for the IURC's actions but stressed that more immediate action is needed given NIPSCO customers’ bills jumped about 26% over the past year. Commissioners also pressed NIPSCO on the transparency of gas delivery charges, which have been a point of contention and protest among Northwest Indiana residents.