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NEWS REPORT DETAIL
| 10/4/2005 |
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NIPSCO
PROTEST |
| A local union continues to fight
to keep a NIPSCO maintenance hub in Crown Point
open. They thought this fight was already won
when the state utility regulatory commission
said the electric provider could not close
"service hubs" around the state, but the City of
Crown Point brokered an agreement with NIPSCO to
downsize that particular facility. Now, the
union said downsizing will jeopardize public
safety and stop economic development in the
area. Union protesters picketed Crown Point’s
City Hall handing out "emergency kits" to
citizens, saying candles and matches is what
they’ll need when the lights go out because
NIPSCO will not have the man power or the
materials to restore power. "Because of this
diminished service, less people serving the
customers, it could be a lot longer in terms of
electrical outages and stuff like that," said
David Chlebek, Union 12775 Vice President.
According to the union, closing the NIPSCO
maintenance hub in Crown Point and moving it to
the Liberty Park substation means there will be
less people and materials to serve an area that
keeps growing. "A lot of people are frustrated
in that," said Chlebek. "They’re trying out
there everyday to provide a really good service
and it seems its a really up hill battle." The
union said what we all ready know, electricity
is an essential commodity. "It is vital to the
economic development of the area," said Chlebek.
"Not just new homes and new families that are
moving into the area, but also the new
businesses." For now, the lights will remain on.
The plan still needs the approval of the Indiana
Utility Regulatory Commission before it can go
forward. |
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