Northwest Indiana Residents Protest Rising NIPSCO Natural Gas Bills

Customers say utility bills have become unaffordable amid high heating costs this winter.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Customers of the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) utility in northwest Indiana are protesting the sharp rise in their natural gas bills this winter. Business owners and residents say the higher costs are forcing them to make tough financial decisions, and they are calling on NIPSCO to make energy more affordable. NIPSCO says the higher bills are due to increased customer usage during the harsh winter, as well as rising market prices for natural gas that the utility simply passes through to customers.

Why it matters

The protests highlight the growing burden that high heating costs are placing on households and small businesses in the region, as many struggle to afford basic necessities like food and utilities. The situation raises questions about the affordability of energy and the role utilities play in managing price fluctuations.

The details

Customers like Ramon Diaz, who owns a barbershop and restaurant in East Chicago, say they've had to raise prices and make difficult decisions to keep their businesses afloat. NIPSCO says the average customer is using 160 therms of natural gas per month this winter, compared to 150 therms last January. Outside NIPSCO's headquarters in Merrillville, a group of protesters organized by Pastor Leo Tatro are demanding the utility make energy more affordable. NIPSCO says it does not control or mark up the cost of natural gas, which is set by market prices, and that it is simply passing those costs through to customers.

  • Last month, Ramon Diaz's shop used 206 therms of natural gas, compared to about 150 last January.
  • The protests outside NIPSCO's Merrillville headquarters took place recently.

The players

Ramon Diaz

A business owner in East Chicago who operates a barbershop and restaurant, and has been forced to raise prices and make difficult decisions due to the higher NIPSCO bills.

Pastor Leo Tatro

The organizer of the protests outside NIPSCO's headquarters, who says the utility needs to make energy more affordable for residents.

NIPSCO

The Northern Indiana Public Service Company, the utility serving customers in northwest Indiana that is facing protests over rising natural gas bills.

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What they’re saying

“We're rich. We're just regular people, you know? Regular persons trying to make a living.”

— Ramon Diaz, Barbershop and restaurant owner

“The frustration here is that these bills are becoming so high that people are choosing to either pay their bills or get groceries on the table. We need to go ahead and turn up the heat on NIPSCO in a peaceful manner.”

— Pastor Leo Tatro, Protest organizer

“NIPSCO thinks this is going to stop. It's only going to stop when NIPSCO makes the energy affordable again.”

— Pastor Leo Tatro, Protest organizer

What’s next

The protesters say they will continue to demonstrate outside NIPSCO's headquarters until the utility takes action to make energy more affordable for customers.

The takeaway

The protests in northwest Indiana highlight the growing strain that high heating costs are placing on households and small businesses, raising questions about the role utilities play in managing price fluctuations and ensuring energy remains affordable for all.