(Merrillville, IN) - It looks like the cost of heating your home this winter is going up considerably. According to Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), the increase for customers is projected at close to 40-percent.

NIPSCO spokesperson Wendy Lussier said the reason for the increase is higher natural gas prices and lower supplies not just here but around the world. In addition, she noted industries across the globe returning to full operating capacity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had put a strain on supplies.

Replenishing once plentiful supplies has been a challenge, with so many industries going back to full strength.

On average, Lussier said NIPSCO has been the lowest natural gas cost provider in the state for the past ten years.