There are lots of NIPSCO management decisions that are causing these delays, such as, Nipsco trucks stuck in the swamp at Crown Point Headquarters for over a half day; Nipsco laying off several linemen in 2026 opting to hire outside contractors; Nipsco not doing the required maintenance on the roadways to prevent tree branches from falling on to power lines, and many more management decisions that we are not aware of.
TREE BRANCHES ARE A MAJOR ISSUE IN RECOVERY:
NIPSCO uses easements throughout Northwest Indiana to reach its poles, lines and other infrastructure. Indiana’s utility regulations specifically recognize those easements as legal authority allowing utilities to enter private property and manage vegetation. Indiana also requires electric utilities to follow vegetation-management standards designed to maintain safe and reliable electrical service.
In Lynch v. Keck, the Indiana Court of Appeals addressed the responsibility of an easement holder. The court recognized the general rule that when an easement exists for the benefit of the party using it, that party has the responsibility to maintain and repair the easement, absent an agreement saying otherwise.
Some Northwest Indiana communities have ordinances that recognize interests beyond simple ownership. Merrillville, for example, expressly includes certain easement interests within its nuisance ordinance’s definition of an owner.
(Photo taken from a property owner in Gary, Indiana)
CITY OF GARY TREE BRANCHES on NIPSCO EASEMENTS CAUSING RECOVERY DELAYS:
However, the situation of Nipsco’s branch removal maintenance in Gary, Indiana is behind five years, and Gary has taken on this maintenance responsibility without demanding NIPSCO do it’s job. Many questions remain:
* Why hasn’t Gary identified Nipsco Easements in the City?
* Why hasn’t the city of Gary determined which areas the NIPSCO has the responsibility to maintain?
* Why aren’t NIPSCO’s responsibilities being enforced?
* How much has Gary spent in doing work that should have bee performed by NIPSCO?
CONCLUSION:
It’s hard to say, how much of these power outages could have been prevented and more importantly how the long delays prevented with the proper tree branch removal that was left ignored for several years. I’ve been told that Gary is five years behind in tree branch removal along the “Nipsco Easements,” where it is Nipsco’s responsibility to take care of these hazards. Citizens of Gary need to ask their city councilmen these questions.
We are wondering if there are more stories like these out there, due to the recent NIPSCO increases, it seems relevant now that we are all without power for days and maybe weeks.
SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN A RESPONSE TO THIS ARTICLE WE ARE POSTING THE INDIANA CODES HERE:
• 170 IAC 4-9-2(12) — Defines “vegetation management” as cutting/removing/ preventing vegetation growth to:
• ensure reliable electric service; and
• prevent hazards caused by vegetation encroaching on utility facilities and provide utility access to facilities.
• 170 IAC 4-9-4 — Establishes requirements governing routine vegetation management by the utility. • Indiana Government • IC 8-1-2 — Indiana’s Public Service Commission Act governing regulated public utilities. It is the underlying statutory authority for the vegetation-management regulations above.
• 170 IAC 4-9, Indiana’s Vegetation Management Standards. These rules specifically regulate vegetation management by investor-owned electric utilities, including NIPSCO. The IURC confirms that the standards apply to NIPSCO, Duke, AES Indiana, I&M, and CenterPoint. Indiana Government
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
