NIPSCO faces investigation following Northwest Indiana power outages

Indiana Governor Mike Braun has directed state utility watchdogs to launch a formal investigation into NIPSCO following prolonged power outages in Northwest Indiana. The outages, triggered by severe storms on August 11, have left approximately 10,000 residents without electricity for nearly two weeks.

The investigation, led by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, will petition the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to examine NIPSCO’s vegetation management, right-of-way maintenance, and the use of ratepayer funds. Governor Braun stated that the utility has “failed to keep its end of the bargain” regarding system maintenance and disaster response.

NIPSCO reports it has restored power to over 364,000 customers since the storms began. While some areas like Munster and Lake Station are expected to see restoration by the end of the day, cities such as Gary and Portage face continued outages. Local officials, including Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, have called for greater transparency regarding restoration timelines.