(La Porte County, IN) - A local lawmaker is asking Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita to investigate NIPSCO for potential deceptive consumer practices in its natural gas bills.

 

State Senator Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) said he’s requesting the investigation because more than 3,500 customers were billed for twice as much natural gas as they consumed due to incorrect meter readings.

 

 

"The possibility that NIPSCO knew about the meter problem and didn't immediately disclose it to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is extremely alarming,” he said.

 

Bohacek made the request in writing.  His letter calls upon the attorney general to investigate whether the practices carried out by NIPSCO fall under Indiana's deceptive consumer sales statute, which allows the courts to impose fines on businesses that engage in unfair or misleading practices against their customers. 

 

"Utility rates have been increasing around the state, especially in northern Indiana, and having faulty information resulting in incorrect billing is unacceptable,” he said.