(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody is going to bat for NIPSCO customers whose utility bills have skyrocketed.

During last night’s La Porte City Council meeting, Dermody said he contacted two new members of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and some elected officials about providing some sort of future relief.  The IURC is responsible for approving or denying requests by utilities for higher rates.

He said his administration has also been in touch with the White House about the president's promise to reduce utility bills for many customers nationwide.  “We have to protect our residents.  We can’t bill people out of their homes.  Something has to change,” he said.

Dermody said he also invited NIPSCO representatives to speak about the current rates at a future city council meeting.  Many NIPSCO customers report a doubling or more of their utility bills over the previous month.  “To see these type of increased bills is very frustrating,” he said.