- The Aug. 11 storm caused widespread damage, leading to nearly 375,000 total outages in the region.
- As of Sunday afternoon, more than 10,000 customers remain without power, two weeks after the storm.
- NIPSCO informed customers that weatherhead damage must be repaired by a licensed electrician before power can be restored.
- Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is calling for an investigation into NIPSCO due to the ongoing power outages.
- Braun directed the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) to file a complaint and petition the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to investigate NIPSCO.
- NIPSCO stated that storm damage can pull, bend, or otherwise damage the equipment, making it unsafe to reconnect electric service until repairs are completed.
- NIPSCO emphasized that its crews are only authorized to repair utility-owned infrastructure and cannot perform repairs to customer-owned electrical equipment.
- NIPSCO acknowledged the frustration and stated that crews will reconnect service as safely and quickly as possible once repairs have been completed and approved.
- The investigation will review NIPSCO’s preparation and response, including vegetation maintenance and whether funding for infrastructure improvements was spent as promised.
- Braun criticized NIPSCO, stating it has failed to keep its end of the bargain as a monopoly utility.
- State agencies were directed to support power restoration, including clearing roads and debris, while Braun emphasized that crews have done an extraordinary job but NIPSCO management has failed.
Gary, Indiana, is facing significant power outages as NIPSCO requires property owners to repair storm-damaged weatherheads before reconnecting service.
More than 10,000 customers remain without power two weeks after severe storms caused nearly 375,000 outages in the area.2
NIPSCO has informed customers that the weatherhead, which connects the utility's service wires to buildings, is the property owner's responsibility to repair.
"Storm damage can pull, bend or otherwise damage this equipment, making it unsafe to reconnect electric service until the repairs are completed," NIPSCO stated.
Governor Mike Braun has initiated an investigation into NIPSCO's response to the outages, questioning whether the utility adequately maintained its infrastructure and spent funds approved for improvements as promised.4
Braun emphasized, “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.”
The investigation will focus on NIPSCO's vegetation management and right-of-way maintenance practices, as well as the use of funds authorized through IURC-approved trackers.
Braun's office has also directed state agencies to assist in power restoration efforts, clearing debris to facilitate utility crews.
Despite the challenges, the Governor acknowledged the hard work of crews on the ground, stating, “However, NIPSCO management has failed to deliver adequate solutions.”
“NIPSCO says weatherhead damage, owned by property owners, must be repaired by a licensed electrician before service can be restored, and crews cannot fix customer-owned equipment. The investigation will review NIPSCO's vegetation management and whether infrastructure funds were spent as promised.”
