ANGOLA, Ind. (WLKI)- U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman called for greater scrutiny of NIPSCO, faster approval of new energy projects and stronger restrictions on the collection of motorists' information during an interview Tuesday on WLKI.
The Republican congressman, who represents Indiana's 3rd Congressional District, spoke about utility costs, energy production, international trade and automated license plate readers while visiting the station's Angola studio.
Stutzman said prolonged power outages in northwest Indiana and rising utility bills have increased the need for an investigation into NIPSCO and its parent company, NiSource.
According to Stutzman, about 700 households remained without electricity at the time of the interview following severe storms that struck northwest Indiana nearly two weeks earlier.
"NIPSCO's got to get it together," Stutzman said. "The fact that these folks are still without power two weeks later prompted all of this."
Gov. Mike Braun directed the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor to file a complaint asking the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to investigate NIPSCO's preparation for and response to the outages.
The requested review would examine the company's vegetation management, right-of-way maintenance and use of money approved for infrastructure and reliability improvements.
Stutzman said the investigation should also examine customer rates and delivery charges.
"NIPSCO's got to start answering some tough questions because we pay a lot," Stutzman said. "They're one of the highest, most expensive utilities in the state."
He compared NIPSCO's rates with those charged by rural electric membership cooperatives. Stutzman said his family's farming operation preferred using an REMC for irrigation systems because it was less expensive.
"I applaud the governor for asking for this investigation into NIPSCO," Stutzman said. "They've got to be held accountable. People don't have options. It's not like we can go to another utility and get a cheaper rate."
Much of the authority over utility rates and services rests with the IURC and Indiana General Assembly. Stutzman said the federal government could help address energy costs by reducing the amount of time required to approve new power-generating facilities.
Stutzman said he supports small modular nuclear reactors, particularly for facilities such as data centers that require large amounts of electricity.
He said Google representatives told him the company would consider paying for a small modular reactor to power its data center in Fort Wayne.
"If they did that, there'd be plenty of power, and then they could put more power back on the grid," Stutzman said. "They'd be willing to pay for it, but they need the permitting and the regulatory process to be able to move quickly."
Stutzman said waiting eight to 10 years for regulatory approval is too long for such projects.
The congressman also identified property taxes, utility rates and insurance costs as major financial concerns for Indiana residents.
"Property taxes are too high. Utility rates are too high. And insurance is too high," Stutzman said. "We can do something about some of those at the federal level, but here at the state level, that's where we can beat states like Illinois, New York and California."
Stutzman, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, said Congress must also address rising insurance costs and financial scams targeting older Americans.
"We see a lot of scams going on, and a lot of that is coming from outside of the country," Stutzman said. "They take advantage, especially of seniors."
The conversation later shifted to Flock Safety cameras, which use automated license plate recognition technology to photograph passing vehicles and compare license plates with law enforcement databases.
Stutzman said he first learned about the system after an officer followed him home and notified him that his vehicle registration had expired.
"Every car that drives by those cameras, a picture is taken," Stutzman said. "I don't know what other information they can do with that data. That's a lot of data they have available."
Stutzman said he understands how the cameras can help police identify wanted people, stolen vehicles or registration violations. His primary concern involves information being collected and retained by a private company.
"All of that information is going to a third party, and all that data is collected," Stutzman said. "They would be able to piece together our traffic routes, our daily routine and where this person is potentially driving."
He said he had joined legislation associated with U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah addressing the collection and use of license plate reader data.
"I don't think that a third party should be a part of this surveillance tool," Stutzman said. "I don't like the idea that government has all of that information on us."
Stutzman also discussed President Donald Trump's trade policies involving Canada, Mexico and China.
He argued that goods originating in China have entered the United States through Canada and Mexico, allowing companies to avoid some American trade restrictions.
"Mexico and Canada need to side with the United States, not with China and other countries that want to do damage to the United States," Stutzman said.
The congressman said Trump's trade policies were intended to protect American companies, workers and supply chains. He also connected border enforcement with efforts to limit fentanyl trafficking and other illegal drug activity.
Stutzman opened the interview by discussing the IndyCar race held in Washington as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebration. He said private funding from Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske covered the event rather than taxpayer money.
"I thought it was such a neat idea to have the race in Washington celebrating America's 250th anniversary," Stutzman said. "You have Indy cars with the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument."
Stutzman said the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the country while continuing to address concerns affecting families and businesses in northeast Indiana.
"It's an honor to serve," Stutzman said. "I find people every day who are working hard, raising a family and wanting to do the right thing day after day."