ANGOLA, Ind. (WLKI)- Angola and Steuben County officials are continuing to seek a long-term solution to natural gas capacity limitations that Mayor Dave Martin says have restricted new construction and economic development.
In a message to residents, Martin said Northern Indiana Public Service Co. can meet the needs of existing customers, including during the coldest weather. The concern is the system's ability to accommodate additional buildings and future growth.
For several years, Martin said, NIPSCO's short-term approach has required developers and builders to help finance extensions of an existing 12-inch pipeline south of Angola.
The company's proposed long-term solution was a new pipeline entering from the western side of Steuben County at an estimated cost of $60 million. According to Martin, NIPSCO initially proposed that local government units pay half that amount.
Martin said he opposed using taxpayer money to finance a private utility's pipeline. Local officials instead pushed the company to use its own resources.
Earlier this year, NIPSCO notified local leaders that it would seek Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approval for infrastructure improvements across its northern Indiana service territory, including the pipeline serving Steuben County.
After seven months of testimony and negotiations, the commission denied the proposed system improvements, Martin said. However, he said the decision specifically identified Angola and Steuben County and directed NIPSCO to develop a solution through an alternative approval process.
Local officials have since resumed working directly with the utility. Martin said they anticipate a company filing or public announcement outlining its next steps, although his message did not provide a construction timetable.
He said city and county leaders will continue working with NIPSCO and state regulators to secure enough capacity to support existing customers and future development.