NIPSCO responds to state ruling

Times Staff Report

MERRILLVILLE | NIPSCO President Mark Maassel is reserving his full reaction on the state ruling that the company cannot close its maintenance hubs until the "associated impacts" are reviewed.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission announced its decision Wednesday to reject NIPSCO's plan to consolidate its local operating areas.

"NIPSCO remains firm in its position that the consolidation of our LOAs represents what our customers have said they wanted -- safe and reliable service supported by a stronger, more visible local presence in the communities in which we serve," Maassel said in the released statement. "We are conducting a full review of the order issued (Wednesday) by the IURC and will be exploring a number of options available to us as it relates to the consolidation of our LOAs. We are pleased that the IURC shares our view that the Area Service Model is a concept that represents a sound approach and is in the public interest."

NIPSCO's plan was to consolidate its 12 maintenance facilities as a money-saving measure. The plan called for closing maintenance hubs in Hammond, Crown Point, LaPorte, Plymouth, and LaGrange and consolidating operations with hubs in Gary, Valparaiso, Angola and Goshen.

The commission ruling said it seemed NIPSCO bypassed careful research and analysis of the consolidation plan in favor of moving directly to anticipated savings of $140,000 per week.