An Indiana state representative has fired off a blistering letter to state regulators, demanding an immediate investigation into why NIPSCO customers are now paying the second-highest residential electric rates in the entire country. With bills jumping more than 90 percent in less than ten years, families across northern Indiana say they are being crushed.
NIPSCO Bills Jump 90% in Nine Years as Customers Cry Foul
State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) sent a formal request to Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Chair Stefanie Krevda and Senator Andy Zay on Tuesday, citing an avalanche of complaints from furious constituents.
The numbers are staggering. According to the IURC’s own 2025 Electricity Residential Bill Survey, a NIPSCO customer using 1,000 kWh in July now pays over 90 percent more than they did in 2016. The U.S. Energy Information Administration ranks NIPSCO second-highest among all reporting electric utilities nationwide for residential rates.
“People are scared to open their envelopes,” Pressel told reporters Wednesday morning. “Seniors on fixed incomes, working families, small businesses, everyone is getting hammered.”
What Pressel Wants Investigated Right Now
In his letter, Pressel laid out three specific demands:
- A full audit of NIPSCO’s capital investments and operating expenses over the past decade that triggered the largest rate increases among Indiana’s five major utilities
- Major improvements in bill transparency so customers can actually understand what they’re being charged for
- Immediate short-term actions to stabilize rates and stop the bleeding for electric and natural gas customers
Pressel co-authored House Bill 1002 this session, which just passed the Indiana Senate and is headed back to the House. The legislation forces utilities to create multi-year rate plans and gives low-income customers new payment assistance options.
NIPSCO Defends Rates, Points to Infrastructure Upgrades
NIPSCO issued a statement Wednesday saying the rate increases are necessary to modernize aging infrastructure, improve reliability, and transition to cleaner energy sources.
The company has spent more than $3 billion since 2016 on grid upgrades, new substations, and storm hardening, according to filings with the IURC. NIPSCO also retired all coal-fired plants by 2028 under its “Your Energy, Your Future” plan and is adding solar and battery storage.
Yet many customers say the pain at the meter is not matching the promises.
A Fort Wayne mother of three told 21Alive her January electric bill hit $487, up from $292 the year before. “We haven’t changed how we live,” she said. “We keep the thermostat at 68. Something is very wrong.”
Regulators Already Probing NIPSCO Gas Meters
The pressure on NIPSCO is growing. The IURC is already investigating thousands of complaints about inaccurate natural gas meter readings that may have overcharged customers for years.
Consumer advocates say the electric rate crisis deserves the same urgency.
“Hoosiers shouldn’t have to choose between heat and groceries,” said Kerwin Olson, executive director of Citizens Action Coalition. “NIPSCO has received approval after approval for rate hikes. It’s time for real accountability.”
Lawmakers and Regulators Signal Action
IURC spokesperson Brad Borum confirmed the commission received Pressel’s letter and is reviewing it. Sources inside the commission say a formal cause for investigation could be opened as early as next month.
Meanwhile, Pressel says he is hearing from colleagues across northern Indiana who want to join the fight.
“This isn’t partisan. This is survival,” Pressel said. “If we don’t get relief now, more families will fall behind, and small businesses will close. Enough is enough.”
The people of northern Indiana are watching closely, and they are fed up. One thing is clear: the days of rubber-stamping NIPSCO rate hikes without fierce scrutiny appear to be over.
What do you think? Are your NIPSCO bills out of control? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and use #NIPSCORateRelief if you share this story on social media. Lawmakers are listening.
