NIPSCO Customers Criticize Utility Charges and Billing Practices

Residents, business owners, and officials voice frustrations over delivery fees, levelized billing, and other NIPSCO policies during statewide listening sessions.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:06pm

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Customers of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) expressed a range of concerns about the utility's billing practices and fees during a series of listening sessions held by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Issues raised included inconsistent delivery charges, unexpected spikes in levelized billing, the switch to smart meters, and a lack of off-peak rates and reduced net metering rates.

Why it matters

The feedback gathered during these listening sessions will inform potential solutions and policy changes that the IURC may consider to address energy affordability challenges faced by NIPSCO customers across Indiana. Addressing these concerns could have a significant impact on household budgets and the financial viability of local businesses.

The details

At a session in Goshen, Elkhart County Commissioner Bob Barnes criticized NIPSCO's delivery fees as inconsistent and said the utility company is "taking advantage of the public." Speakers also said levelized billing, intended to provide predictable monthly payments, has instead resulted in unexpected bill increases. One resident, Nick Stickel, said his family's combined gas and electric bill jumped from $400 to over $1,080 per month without warning. Other issues raised included NIPSCO's switch to smart meters, the lack of an off-peak rate, and decreased net metering rates.

  • The IURC is holding 10 listening sessions statewide as part of its investigation into energy affordability.
  • The Goshen session took place on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Bob Barnes

Elkhart County Commissioner who criticized NIPSCO's delivery fees as inconsistent and said the utility company is "taking advantage of the public."

Nick Stickel

A NIPSCO customer who said his family's combined gas and electric bill jumped from $400 to over $1,080 per month without warning.

Linda Rogers

Indiana State Senator (R-Granger) who felt NIPSCO's delivery charges should be more transparent and itemized on customer bills.

Andy Zay

Chair of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, who expects levelized billing to be one of the topics addressed following the listening sessions.

NIPSCO

The Northern Indiana Public Service Company, the utility provider that customers expressed frustrations about during the IURC listening sessions.

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What they’re saying

“The system's broken. The system that the IURC's over is broken. People are outsmarting you guys and they're taking advantage of the public, and it's got to stop.”

— Bob Barnes, Elkhart County Commissioner

“And in January of this last year, we checked to see where we were at. They still undercharged us. 'Ope, sorry. We made a mistake. We didn't charge you enough again.' So, it's now over one thousand and eighty-some dollars a month.”

— Nick Stickel, NIPSCO Customer

“They should be itemized, so the consumer knows exactly what they're paying for. When you go to a restaurant, they itemize what it is. On your NIPSCO bill, they should itemize the delivery charge.”

— Linda Rogers, Indiana State Senator (R-Granger)

“Personally, I use that because for your household budget, you know where you're at, but when it's trued up multiple times a year and with significant swings, it kind of defeats the purpose of, really, what I think that is supposed to represent.”

— Andy Zay, Chair, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission

What’s next

Following the listening sessions, the IURC plans to consider potential solutions to the issues raised, with levelized billing expected to be one of the topics addressed. Longer-term changes would require action from the Indiana General Assembly.

The takeaway

The IURC's statewide listening sessions on energy affordability have highlighted a range of customer concerns with NIPSCO's billing practices and fees, from inconsistent delivery charges to unexpected spikes in levelized billing. Addressing these issues could have a significant impact on household budgets and local business viability across Indiana.