NIPSCO Accused of Overcharging Gary, Indiana Residents to Fund Data Center Infrastructure
Independent journalist Aja Bridges reports that NIPSCO, a private utility company, has significantly increased bills for Gary, Indiana residents. These rate hikes are allegedly used to fund infrastructure deals for data centers in surrounding cities, while Gary residents received no rebates and continue to face service issues. Communities are actively opposing these data centers due to resource consumption and financial burdens.
Gary, Indiana residents are facing substantial increases in their utility bills from NIPSCO, with rates reportedly doubling or tripling within the last year, according to independent journalist and Gary native Aja Bridges. These rate hikes, which NIPSCO attributes to a general increase, were allegedly implemented to cover the costs of infrastructure deals benefiting data centers in neighboring cities. Unlike residents in surrounding areas, Gary residents were not offered rebates or credits to offset these increased costs.
Bridges highlights that NIPSCO has installed smart meters allowing remote power shut-off, and residents have observed that while their bills have surged, the utility has failed to maintain power lines and trees, leading to service issues. She questions the allocation of NIPSCO's record profits, arguing that the company is prioritizing private energy and the power supply to data centers, which are "sucking up the resources." This prioritization, she suggests, comes at the expense of local consumers who are effectively funding data center infrastructure through higher bills, a situation that has spurred "tooth and nail" opposition from communities against these data centers.