Expanded, flexible payment options and assistance funds are available
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – NIPSCO natural gas residential customers can expect their overall bills during this
year’s winter heating season to be slightly higher when compared to last year, assuming normal weather
and usage.
The slight difference is largely due to the higher overall cost of natural gas – although the commodity cost
of natural gas remains near historic lows.
Over the course of the upcoming five-month winter
heating season — Nov. 1 to March 31 — NIPSCO’s
average natural gas residential customers using the
system average of 627 therms total could expect to
pay approximately $425 in total. In comparison, last
year’s average bill for the same five months, with a
normal usage pattern, would have been
approximately $400. This represents about a $25
difference (6 percent) or $5 per month on average for
the five total months.
NIPSCO is the lowest-cost natural gas provider in
Indiana for the last 10 years, among the state’s 22
provider companies (Source: Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) Residential Gas Bill
Comparison, 2011-2020, page 3)
There are two primary components of natural gas bills – the cost of the natural gas itself and the cost of
delivering the natural gas to customers. For the cost of natural gas itself, NIPSCO passes it directly
through to customers with no markup. The cost of all components of NIPSCO’s gas service is reviewed
and approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
Projections take into account market forecasts, supply trends and storage levels, and are based on normal
weather projections. If temperatures are colder or warmer than normal, usage amounts and bills could
differ.
To help ensure customers receive the best price for natural gas, NIPSCO purchases gas in the market from
a variety of supply sources throughout the year. Gas storage is also used to help offset market price
volatility. NIPSCO’s gas distribution system consists of two on-system storage facilities and is connected to
seven interstate pipelines providing access to major North American supply basins.
Billing and Payment Options
Customers who are experiencing financial difficulties, including those economically impacted by the
COVID-19 pandemic, are encouraged to call NIPSCO’s 24-hour Customer Care Center as soon as possible
to determine what options might be available to offer help. Some of those solutions include:
Payment Agreements: NIPSCO has expanded its flexible payment arrangements to allow
customers to spread their past due balance over six months by paying a portion of their past due
balance, plus current charges incurred. LIHEAP-eligible customers may be able to enroll in a 12-
month plan. Customers can learn more and enroll at NIPSCO.com/paymentplans.
Partial Payment Plans: NIPSCO offers payment plans that will help customers make smaller, more
manageable payments now to make it easier to bring their account current in the future.
Customers can visit myaccount.nipsco.com to review available payment plans. NIPSCO’s customer
care team will also work with customers to set up a personalized payment plan. Customers can
call 1-800-4-NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726) to discuss options.
Local, State and Federal Assistance: Customers that have been directly impacted by COVID-19-
related job loss or hardship, can visit NIPSCO.com/Assistance to find additional resources or call
their local community action agency or Energy Assistance Program (EAP) agency or Township
Trustee’s office. These agencies can help customers access local and federal assistance including
the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Budget Plan: A free service to all NIPSCO customers to help manage their monthly energy bills by
spreading out gas costs over an entire year.
For more information on billing options and payment assistance, visit Customers can learn more and
enroll at NIPSCO.com/paymentplans.
Energy- and Money-Saving Programs
Energy usage makes up the largest portion of the average energy bill. Because of this, NIPSCO offers
energy-efficiency programs to help manage usage and, in turn, bills. A full list of programs and tips
available to NIPSCO customers can be found at NIPSCO.com/save.
About NIPSCO: Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), with headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana, has proudly
served the energy needs of northern Indiana for more than 100 years. As Indiana’s largest natural gas distribution company and
the second-largest electric distribution company, NIPSCO serves approximately 820,000 natural gas and 460,000 electric
customers across 32 counties. NIPSCO is part of NiSource’s (NYSE: NI) six regulated utility companies. NiSource is one of the
largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 4 million natural gas and electric customers
through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. More information about NIPSCO and NiSource is available at NIPSCO.com
and NiSource.com.