MERRILLVILLE, IN — The utility that provides natural gas for most of northern Indiana has asked state regulators to approve a 17% rate increase for its more than 800,000 gas customers.

NIPSCO asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to approve a two-stage rate hike.

The proposed increase, according to NIPSCO, would grant “greater bill stability for its 821,000 gas customers by reducing bill fluctuations between high-usage and low-usage periods”. The proposed rate increase must go through a regulatory review process that includes public input.

If approved, the first phase of the increase would take effect in September 2022.