(Merrillville, IN) - NIPSCO says gas prices are likely to go up this winter.

The utility announced this week that bills for residential natural gas customers are estimated to be 16 percent higher than last year. That means homeowners can expect to pay about $18.00 per month more on average from November to March.

NIPSCO says the increase is driven by the cost of the natural gas itself, which the company does not control. To offset market price volatility, they say, NIPSCO tries to purchase gas throughout the summer months and put that gas into storage for use during the winter.

Assistance programs are available, so check with NIPSCO (NIPSCO.com/assistance) if you can’t afford to stay warm this winter.