NIPSCO rate increase proposal moves forward

NIPSCO customers are about to see a rate hike.

The Northern Indiana Public Service Company has reached a settlement with the state’s Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, agreeing to half of the utility’s original request. NIPSCO wanted an 11% increase to residential customer bills when they applied back in October, but they’ll get 5.4% instead.

It means an additional $11 to $14 on an average customer’s bill, compared to the original proposal, which would’ve meant $20 more. Commercial and industrial customers will also see smaller hikes than the utility’s original proposal.

The hikes won’t take effect until after June, and they still need to be approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.