Local officials in Indiana are demanding explanations for recent widespread power outages. U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan, representing Highland, announced that his team is drafting a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to initiate a probe into NiSource, the parent company of NIPSCO. This investigation aims to scrutinize the company’s restoration efforts and assess its investment in future recovery plans.
Mrvan addressed the public during a ceremony celebrating the acquisition of a building in Merrillville for the regional Food Bank. He emphasized FERC’s role in overseeing energy monopolies and interstate commerce, asserting, “We’ll use every leverage that we have on the federal side to ensure a thorough investigation into the issues that arose during the outages.”
The city of Gary is seeking a robust response from NIPSCO following a two-week power outage. The city has developed a “Recovery Action Plan” and submitted it to NIPSCO. Mayor Eddie Melton stated, “We need Gary’s power grid to be as resilient as our community.” Melton reiterated his commitment to transforming this challenging period into an opportunity for growth.
A NIPSCO spokesperson described the storm as unprecedented, causing significant damage throughout its service area. NIPSCO mobilized resources from across 14 states and expressed its willingness to engage in any governmental inquiries. The spokesperson highlighted that the company’s main goal remains the safe restoration of power to affected customers.
Mrvan instructed his staff to call for an investigation into NiSource’s emergency response, investment, and future vegetation maintenance plans. He stated, “On the federal side, we will evaluate NiSource’s investment strategies to guarantee reliable power delivery. As a congressional member, my focus is on demanding accountability through the Energy and Water Subcommittee.” Mrvan also expressed intent to work with Governor Mike Braun and local leaders as they evaluate NIPSCO’s response to the outages.
Governor Braun has also advocated for an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission review of the utility’s actions. Mrvan clarified that FERC’s investigation would differ, targeting interstate energy systems. According to Mrvan, NiSource’s role in these systems necessitates oversight.
NIPSCO is continuing dialogues with local leadership to comprehend community needs better and improve storm response efforts. The company has suspended service disconnections for non-payment until September 30 and contributed $2 million to assist affected communities’ recovery.
Mayor Melton lauded NIPSCO’s suspension of disconnections as a priority but underscored that further actions remain imperative. The city’s Recovery Action Plan outlines key priorities and action steps for post-storm recovery, emphasizing the need for meaningful relief, corporate accountability, and infrastructure investments.
City leadership plans to address long-term grid reliability and emergency response improvements. They advocate for a collaborative approach involving officials, non-profits, businesses, and residents to rebuild stronger than before. This collective effort is crucial for a resilient recovery.
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