Citizens Action Coalition Hosts Town Hall to Explain NIPSCO Bills

The town hall addressed utility bill makeup, high costs, legislative action, and how residents can voice concerns.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:35pm

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A vibrant abstract illustration using bold geometric shapes and primary colors to conceptually represent the issue of rising utility costs and the need for policy reforms to address affordability.A town hall meeting aims to empower consumers and spur policy changes to tackle soaring utility bills in Northwest Indiana.Gary Today

The Citizens Action Coalition hosted an informative town hall in Merrillville, Indiana to discuss rising utility bills, particularly from NIPSCO. The event explained what makes up utility bills, why bills are so high, what legislative action has been taken, and what residents can do to advocate for themselves. Speakers encouraged attendees to stay informed, get organized, and continue pressing state lawmakers and regulators for meaningful changes to address the affordability crisis.

Why it matters

High utility costs have increasingly burdened residential ratepayers in Northwest Indiana, with NIPSCO bills cited as among the highest in the state. The town hall aimed to empower consumers by providing transparency around bill components and equipping them with solutions to push for policy changes that could lead to more affordable rates.

The details

The Citizens Action Coalition, a consumer advocacy group founded in Indiana in 1974, hosted the town hall to break down utility bill structures and the factors driving up costs. Speakers explained that NIPSCO bills include a $14 fixed monthly charge, variable usage charges, and a 'whole host of different surcharges' that make bills opaque. Costs have risen due to utility investments in aging coal plants and coal ash cleanup that get passed on to customers. The group outlined 10 potential solutions, including eliminating the residential sales tax, reducing profit margins, and prohibiting private equity firms from acquiring utilities.

  • The town hall took place on Tuesday, April 8, 2026 in Merrillville, Indiana.
  • The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold a listening session on April 13, 2026 in Gary, Indiana from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The players

Citizens Action Coalition

A consumer advocacy group founded in Indiana in 1974 that watches statewide utilities and advocates for residential ratepayers and the environment.

Kelly Hamman

Director of development for the Citizens Action Coalition.

Ben Inskeep

Program director for the Citizens Action Coalition.

Kerwin Olson

Executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition.

NIPSCO

Northern Indiana Public Service Company, the utility provider that serves the region and has the highest electric rates in the state according to the Citizens Action Coalition.

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What they’re saying

“That's the kind of beautiful thing about what you all are doing up here. There's a lot of wonderful organizing, and I know you all know it. … We've just got to keep doing that.”

— Kelly Hamman, Director of development, Citizens Action Coalition

“Folks felt like everything was going up, and they couldn't catch a break, and it seemed that the big companies had a lot of representation, but the people did not.”

— Kelly Hamman, Director of development, Citizens Action Coalition

“We need to pressure state lawmakers and regulators so that we can work on policies that really lead to meaningful changes.”

— Kelly Hamman, Director of development, Citizens Action Coalition

“(House Enrolled Act) 1002 is not the solution. There's still work to do.”

— Kerwin Olson, Executive director, Citizens Action Coalition

“I'm not sure what the goal is, but it's unlike anything I've ever seen. They're talking back and forth with residents.”

— Kerwin Olson, Executive director, Citizens Action Coalition

What’s next

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold a listening session on April 13, 2026 in Gary, Indiana from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. where residents can voice their concerns about high utility bills.

The takeaway

This town hall highlights the growing affordability crisis for utility customers in Northwest Indiana, with NIPSCO bills cited as among the highest in the state. While recent legislation has taken some steps to address the issue, consumer advocates argue more fundamental changes are needed to utility regulations, cost recovery, and profit models to truly make bills more affordable for residential ratepayers.