[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/nip...897cc0632a.html

Keith Benman keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326
NIPSCO has big plans

Here are the major projects included in NIPSCO's $1 billion electric modernization plan that is now before state regulators:

• Replace 450 miles of underground cable that is prone to failure: $140 million

• Rebuild 500 miles of electric lines/circuits: $365 million

• Replace 75 substation transformers and 900 breakers: $290 million

Source: NIPSCO and IURC case 44370 and 44371

NIPSCO has filed plans for a $1 billion electric system modernization with state regulators, a move that could lead to 1 percent annual electric bill hikes for customers later this decade.

Much of the improvements would consist of replacing the utility's aging infrastructure such as poles, underground wires and substation transformers in order to increase system reliability, according to two documents filed Friday with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

"What we are first and foremost is a basic gas and electric utility," NIPSCO CEO Jim Stanley said at a briefing Tuesday at The Times offices in Munster. "And our customers expect us to deliver that basic service first and foremost."

Senate Bill 560, passed earlier this year by the Indiana General Assembly, allows utilities to pay for basic infrastructure improvements through what are called "trackers," which are essentially surcharges tacked on customer bills.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...a4f1d57c51.html

LAPORTE | LaPorte County has filed action to play an active role in overseeing a request by NIPSCO for a rate increase to fund $1 billion in proposed electrical system upgrades.

A motion to intervene by the LaPorte County Commissioners on NIPSCO's pursuit to fund the improvements with a rate increase was filed Tuesday with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, said LaPorte County attorney Shaw Friedman. If approved, the county would serve as a hands-on watchdog with the IURC in assuring NIPSCO's investment would be wisely spent and produce the best possible outcome on customer service and rates.

Two months ago, the county adopted a resolution asking the IURC to investigate customer complaints about poor response times and power outages lasting several days in some cases after a June storm.