After nearly two weeks without power for thousands of people across northwest Indiana, Gov. Mike Braun is calling for an investigation into NIPSCO.
“NIPSCO is a monopoly utility that Hoosiers pay every month with the expectation that it will use its considerable resources to maintain its system, prepare for severe weather and restore service as quickly as possible when disaster strikes,”Braun said in a news release. “NIPSCO has failed to keep its end of the bargain.”
Braun is calling for a thorough review of NIPSCO’s preparation for and response to the recent power outages. On Monday, he directed the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor to file a complaint and petition the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to launch an investigation into NIPSCO.
The governor said the crews on the ground did an extraordinary job but “NIPSCO management has failed to deliver adequate solutions.”
In response, NIPSCO said it will continue to communicate with Braun’s administration.
“NIPSCO values the regulatory process and will cooperate fully if the Commission were to open an investigation. We are committed to transparency and cooperation in providing information regarding our operations and ongoing efforts to serve our customers safely and reliably,” the company said in a statement.
There are streets all over the region, including in Hammond, Munster and Gary, where people still don’t have power. Every day, Andre Abrams hopes today will be the day power returns to his neighborhood in Gary.
“It’s been a lot of stress,” Abrams said. “It’s Day 13 now. Tomorrow (is Day) 14.”
Two weeks without electricity has forced his family to find new ways to get by, including using a lighter to light up the stove in order to cook.
“Four workers went to the back to check out the transformer yesterday but … we need a whole new pole,” said Makinna Cain.
The good news is NBC Chicago did see NIPSCO, contracted linemen and ComEd on the ground in Gary.
“Without lights, we’re worried about staying here in the dark, but we don’t want to leave our house because somebody might break in it. Then that leaves us with more problems.” said Jamesetta White, who lives in Gary. “I know they’re probably doing the best they can do. I don’t want to put anyone down. I just pray to God that they hurry up.”
NIPSCO said it’s “committed to restoring power safely and as quickly as possible for every customer affected by this historic storm.”
Families across the area said they’ve had to throw out food. There are health concerns, too.
“I have a heart monitor and once the electricity has been off this long, the hospital, the doctors cannot monitor that monitor because it’s off. So, hopefully nothing has happened to me yet,” said Rutha Taylor, who lives in Gary.
State officials are asking the commission to investigate how NIPSCO customers’ dollars were spent, including more than $81 million meant for vegetation management between 2023 and 2025, and $2.3 billion meant to replace aging infrastructure since 2016, according to a spokesperson for the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor.
“Since we lost our food and have been out with our lights, I think they should not have us to pay a bill for a whole month. That would give us (time to) catch-up,” White said.
