(Merrillville, IN) - NIPSCO customers could be hit with another electric rate increase.

The utility is asking the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for a 22 percent increase in current rates.

According to NIPSCO, the average residential electric user would see their monthly electric bills increase by about $32.

NIPSCO officials said the rate hike is largely driven by continued investments in renewable energy as the utility continues to transition more toward energy from the sun and wind along with infrastructure upgrades.

“These proposed rates will support that ongoing transition, as well as infrastructure and system upgrades to strengthen our system and provide the increased safety, reliability and value that our customers expect and deserve,” said NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Parisi.

The rate hike, if approved, would begin to take effect in September of next year while the remainder of the increase would start being reflected on the bills of customer by March of 2026, according to NIPSCO.