Protesters of all backgrounds are united to demand more transparency from the utility company.

On Feb. 4 a snowy, blizzard-like day, protesters traveled from as far as Kokomo and across Northwest Indiana to gather outside NIPSCO’s headquarters in Merrillville, IN. Demonstrators voiced concerns about what they describe as inhumane treatment of customers, pointing to sharp increases in utility bills driven primarily by rising delivery and gas fees. 

As utility costs nationwide climb, customers in Northwest Indiana are feeling the pinch more sharply than others. NIPSCO’s recent rate increases, including higher electric charges approved through a phased-in structure by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and adjustments to natural gas base rates, are part of a long-term effort to fund critical infrastructure upgrades, improve reliability, and transition the energy portfolio toward sustainability. 

On Feb. 4, Leo Tatro, the main organizer of the protest, announced that he and fellow protesters had issued a seven-day notice to NIPSCO.The notice outlined three key demands: restoring services to disabled and elderly residents, making energy affordable, and demonstrating to the world that the company cares about the people it serves.

“We’re not going to take this anymore. We’re standing up for the people who can’t stand up for themselves, and for those who are in the cold right now,” Trato said.

NIPSCO has cited a multi-year capital investment plan totaling billions of dollars, aimed at replacing aging equipment and meeting evolving federal safety and compliance requirements, as being central to these changes.

Protester Kevin Meija understands seasonal increases during winter months, but the sudden spikes, often reaching hundreds of dollars per month, have raised alarm throughout the region. The growing financial strain has prompted him to demand policy changes.

He further responded to NIPSCO’s justification that winter demand, economic conditions, and rising costs require higher rates.

“Of course, there will be late payments. Many people couldn’t afford these bills to begin with. That’s the main part of the problem,” Meija said.

Michelle Chapman explained that, while the situation is deeply frustrating, one positive outcome has been the unity it has created. She noted that people of all races, ages, and political stances have come together, sharing the belief that the rising costs are outrageous and in need of change. 

“They have unified this community, because I don’t think it’s right or left anymore,” Chapman said. 

“They’ve created a whole new network. I don’t see division anymore. If anything, this has really proven that they [Nipsco] don’t care,” she added.

She continued by sharing her personal experience, explaining that her bill, which had been under $200 between October and December, jumped to nearly $600 in a single month. Chapman said the increase was driven by separate charges for gas supply and delivery — including hundreds of dollars in delivery-related fees alone. While the gas supply reflects the amount of natural gas used, the delivery charges cover the cost of transporting the gas through NIPSCO’s infrastructure and maintaining the system.

Chapman said her most recent bill is now approaching $900, underscoring what she described as a dramatic spike in costs from one billing cycle to the next.

“This delivery charge went up to $461.27,” Chapman said. 

“The gas delivery charge went up $129.26. That’s over $600 in delivery fees that I am personally experiencing on a fixed income because I am disabled through the VA,” she added.

Trato also outlined a plan focused on building immediate, community-based solutions. As NIPSCO provides affected residents with a seven-day window, it has launched a Facebook page called Restore Crew. The initiative connects contractors, families, and community members to affordable heating alternatives, including wood stoves, fireplaces, solar options, and propane setups, to help households keep their utilities on. 

In addition, Restore Crew (a family-owned company helping Northwest Indiana families and businesses become self-sufficient) will provide education on emergency preparedness and cold-weather safety, teaching people how to stay warm during outages while emphasizing the urgency of long-term infrastructure solutions.

“No elderly person in America should be forced to learn survival strategies just to stay warm. This is not a third-world country—this is the United States of America,” Trato said.