OVER 130,000 Homes about to get Shut Off by NIPSCO Utilities Due to Enormous Rate Increases

         Many People are facing double and triple increases in their NIPSCO Bills this winter 2026 and are having extreme difficulty paying their bills. People in apartments face eviction, if their NIPSCO Bill is not paid. In 2025, 4,400 homes were shut-off by NIPSCO, As of Sept 2025 130,000 homes are 60 days in behind, (That’s 325,000 PEOPLE) & 52,000 homes face #ShutDown. (It will be worse Now)  While NIPSCO states the increase is only only 16.74%, or $23 a month, local homeowners are facing 200% and 300% increases instead and NOT BECAUSE IT’S COLD! (See Temperatures and Fees on the NIPSCO Bills Below)

1. Bills HEA 1470 (2019);
(THIS IS THE TDSIC FEE ON YOUR BILL)
Authored by:  Rep. Edmond Soliday. Co-Authored by: Rep. Ethan Manning, Rep. Ryan Hatfield, Rep. Carolyn Jackson. Sponsored by: Sen. Mark Messmer, Sen. Andy Zay, Sen. David Niezgodski. 

HEA 1470 (2019), along with other related bills passed in different sessions (such as SEA 423 in 2025), has been cited by consumer groups as a primary reason for significant increases in utility delivery charges, even when energy consumption remains flat. Opponents argue these laws enable utilities like NIPSCO to charge customers for infrastructure and planning costs before projects are operational, and sometimes even if projects are delayed or never completed. 
It expanded the types of costs utilities could recover through customer delivery fees (trackers), specifically mentioning “Advanced Technology” and “Economic Development” projects, such as infrastructure for Data Centers.

2. SEA 423; (2025)

4. HEA 1007 (2025)
Authored by: Rep. Edmond Soliday. Co-Authored by: Rep. Chris Jeter, Rep. Sharon Negele, Rep. Randall Frye. Sponsored by: Sen. Eric Koch, Sen. Andy Zay, Sen. Stacey Donato, Sen. Jean Leising, Sen. Gary Byrne. 
 HEA 1007 allows NIPSCO to charge customers for pre-construction activities and costs associated with new nuclear projects even if the project is delayed or eventually fails, a provision that has drawn criticism from consumer advocates.

IN SUMMARY:
     These were all Passed and allows NIPSCO to Recover the infrastructure and planning costs for Data Centers through DELIVERY FEES (See links below)

In other words:  These rate increases have been sanctified by the Indiana House and the bills that they have passed in order for a NIPSCO to on collect from ratepayers (consumers) before they have even built the data centers. The customers of NIPSCO are paying for everything upfront whether they build it or not. NIPSCO is charging residents for it. They can charge all customers as long as they want because there’s no cap on it. NIPSCO does not have to justify how much money they charge. To find available info on disconnection data, click here

      NIPSCO Has Downgraded The Gas QUALITY creating a demand to use MORE GAS, Photos of ORANGE GAS have been posted all over the internet. As you can see below, the more the Gas Usage goes up the INCREASE in “Delivery Fees,” goes up.

     “I just installed a NEW Furnace (Jan 24, 2026) in Valparaiso, set the Gas Pressure and all the good stuff. I’m not sure what’s going on with Nipsco’s Gas, but this is not right. Not a flicker of blue flame. Solid orange.: . . . “I am an HVAC Technician and have been for almost 12 yeas, Natural Gas is not supposed to burn orange,” states Harley Wise II.

     Hundreds of People have Reported their GAS IS YELLOW OR ORANGE, when It’s supposed to be BLUE! Both on Stoves, Ovens, Furnaces, and Water Heaters.

     Watch the PanoramaNOW Facebook LIVE show This Thur, Jan 29th, 2026 at 4:30 on PanoramaNOW! (up only doe 30 days)

LOOK AT THESE DELIVERY FEES:

These Northwest Indiana Orange Gas Photos Are Showing UP All Over the Internet

Sources:
OUCC:
Shows Homes That are Delinquent as of Sept 2025

Indiana House Bill  SB 424 :
Allows NIPSCO TO Pass on Data Center Expenses onto consumers

Indiana House Bill SEA 423:
Allows NIPSCO To Pass on the Data Center Expenses onto Customers 

 Indiana House Bill HEA 1470:

Updated utility regulations, making it easier for electric and gas companies to recover costs for Transmission, Distribution, and Storage System Improvements (TDSIC), allowing for longer planning periods (5-7 years), adding “advanced technology,” and including “economic development” projects. 

Indiana House Bill HEA 1007:
Allows utilities to recover costs for new generation projects, including upfront development costs for SMRs.

Here’s a More Detailed link to House bill 1007, The Bill that Raises Rates AGAIN Jan. 2006

Mike Andrade Received a $5,000 Campaign Contribution From NiSource – NIPSCO’s Parent Company

NIPSCO MONOLOGY MADNESS HAS A NEW WEBSITE

You can Volunteer, get answers, and Contact them 

Folks Probably Don’t Qualify for Energy Assistance: 
    Your Income has to be Less than 250% of the National Median Income to qualify for Low Income Assistance and 60% Lower than the State Median Income. Click here
    Elderly NIPSCO Customers Need to be 250% BELOW the National Median Income Level to Qualify for Assistance (Which is $20,400)

    Veteran NIPSCO Customers Need to be 250% BELOW the National Median Income Level to Qualify for Assistance (Which is $20,400)
    Rental Assistance by the ihcda.in.gov is now closed. Renters with low income may check here.  Indiana households that make 60% of the state median income (60 SMI) or less may qualify for these benefits.
      Only customers that have applied for, the Federal Energy Assistance Program (EAP) qualify to not have their Utilities shut down. This is managed at the State Level only.

PORTER COUNTY Energy Assistance Program: Provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist low-income Hoosiers with the high cost of home energy and can help those who are about to get disconnected. CONTACT CoAction AT https://coaction.care OR (219) 464-9736.

LAKE COUNTY Energy Assistance Program: Provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist low-income Hoosiers with the high cost of home energy and can help those who are about to get disconnected. CoAction, https://coaction.care, (219) 794-1829.

LAPORTE COUNTY Energy Assistance Program: Provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist low-income Hoosiers with the high cost of home energy and can help those who are about to get disconnected, VIA North Central Community Action Agency, https://www.nccomact.org, (219) 872-0351.

CLICK HERE

HERE’S THE NIPSCO Feb 1ST and Feb 3RD PRICE INCREASE PROTESTS PLANNED:

This First Protest is to identify who is serious and begin to plan the next Protest in Merrillville on Feb. 3rd. in Hammond Indiana. “Enough is Enough” Families are being crushed by rising utility bills, some have even been doubled. Some are paying $100 Gas Delivery Fees and not using any GAS!
These NEW Delivery Fees will continue into the Summer When Folks are not even using Gas.
The offices will be closed, but the people’s voices will be heard. This is being covered by All The Chicago News Stations! More Links to come! From Local news Stations! 

COMMUNITY PROTEST NIPSCO (Merrillville, IN)

COMMUNITY PROTEST NIPSCO (Merrillville, IN)

Wednesday, February 4th

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

NIPSCO – Merrillville, Indiana

 WSBT FACEBOOK VIDEO
FOX 32 Facebook Video
Fox 32 Article
WNDU Article
WSBT Article

Kim Robison is TO BE Interviewed on the PanoramaNOW at Noon Radio Show on Wvlp About the NIPSCO High Utility Bills and the No-Knock Shutoffs on Thur Jan 29th at 4:30. this video will only be up for 30 days.

Sue Baxter

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.