At the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) public field hearing in Gary on March 3, 2009, over 600 people showed up to testify against NIPSCO’s requested rate increase. The hearing was held at a venue that only seated about half of those people, so about 300 people were left outside protesting and chanting “Fight the Hike!” Here is why:

• In the 4th quarter of 2008, NiSource profits rose nearly $100 million dollars compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Their profits rose to $162 million, up from $67 million in the 4th quarter of 2007.

• NiSource directors more than doubled their salaries last year. In 2007, NiSource directors made $80,000. In 2008, they raised that to $165,000.

• NiSource announced that it plans to cut about 370 jobs across its 16-state operating territory over the course of 2009.

• If NiSource profits are increasing and it is doubling the salaries of its board members, why is it cutting jobs and asking for rate increases in the worst economy we have seen since the Great Depression? We need to make our voices heard! We need to demand more public field hearings across Northern Indiana so that all of the people who did not have the chance to testify can voice their plights and let the IURC understand how this rate increase would impact them!

To find out how to take action to fight NIPSCO's rate increase, click here!

Tell them to demand the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission deny NIPSCO's requested 16.5% rate increase!

• Tell them to demand the IURC make NIPSCO credit 100% of off-system sales to ratepayers;

• Tell them to demand the IURC deny NIPSCO’s request for additional “reliability” trackers. It is NIPSCO’s responsibility as a regulated utility is to provide reliable service. They should not need incentives to do what they are already supposed to be doing.

• If you have had problems with NIPSCO’s quality of service, include that in your letter. Let the IURC know that NIPSCO does not deserve to have the highest rate of return for the poorest quality of service of all the Indiana investor-owned utilities.

• Tell them to demand that the IURC schedule more public field hearings across Northern Indiana!

• Ask that your letter be included in the testimony that the OUCC files with the Regulatory Commission for Cause No. 43526.

Attn: David Stippler
National City Center
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
uccinfo@oucc.in.gov
(888) 441-2494