The Northern Indiana Public Service Company, or NIPSCO, is requesting a rate hike that would increase customers gas rates by about $10 a month.
The rate hike is $8.50 on the base rate and 6.6 cents per therm.
NIPSCO spokesperson Nick Meyer says the rate hike will allow them to pay for maintenance and several major system upgrades.
“What this request really for us is kind of looking toward the future and our ability to continue to provide that level of service that customers expect.”
A public field hearing with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is scheduled for December 11th in Fort Wayne. Hearings in Lake County and South Bend are also planned. Times and dates for those have not been announced.
Meyer says the process for request utility rate hikes can be complicated.
“Unlike most companies who can change their costs to serving customers effectively overnight, regulated companies, energy companies like NIPSCO and others in Indiana have to go through a pretty thorough regulatory review process.”
The commission can approve or deny the hike or approve a smaller hike. A decision is expected next summer.
Public comment will be accepted at the meeting and in writing until January 17th.