About gas and electric projects
NIPSCO exists to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value for our customers. As part of this commitment, we have an ongoing infrastructure modernization plan that supports continuous improvements and enhancements to the electric and natural gas system in the 32 counties served in northern Indiana.
This investment provides direct benefits for customers, and it is important that our customers understand why we upgrade our infrastructure and how it allows our company to provide a continuous, low-cost, safe, and reliable source of energy now and for the future.
Customer and community benefits include:
- Incorporating technology advancements into the existing electric and natural gas system.
- Allows for detection and possible elimination of recurring electrical power interruptions. When a power interruption does occur, the incorporation of new technology, like automated switching, minimizes the time businesses and residential customers are impacted.
- Safeguarding the integrity and safety of the natural gas system through the use of magnetic and digital cleaning tools, inspection tools, and SMART meter monitoring.
- Increases opportunity for expansion of new and existing residential, business, and industrial customers which creates a strong environment for economic growth in the communities we live and work.
- Creates hundreds of direct and in-direct jobs, including local skilled trade labor to complete the project work.
Get answers
Here are frequently asked questions we receive about
I'm not a customer; will my home or business be affected?
If you receive communication from us about a project in your area, your home or business may be impacted by construction activity in your area.
Thank you for your response.
How do I know everything will be restored to its existing condition?
At the start of the project, we document your property’s current state. We may even capture photos or video footage.
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Will you block my street or driveway?
We may temporarily block access to an entire street, lane or even a driveway. If you need access to your driveway, let our crews know. When it is safe to do so, they will accommodate your request. Most of our digging will be in the grassy part of the public right-of-way and yards, but often our equipment is in the street while we are working. We will work with neighborhoods to minimize road closures and blockages, but please be alert and use caution around our work zones.
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Will my gas or electric service be interrupted?
Your service may be briefly interrupted by this work. If so, you will be notified. Following the work, we will make arrangements to test your house lines, conduct a safety check and re-establish your service.
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What can I expect?
You will first notice NIPSCO representatives or contractors conducting preliminary work to ensure that we completed the project in the least disruptive way possible. This will include locating and marking underground utilities such as water and cable. Next, we usually replace or add main lines along a street or right of way. We then construct service lines that connect the mains to homes or businesses. As a safety measure, we may also replace older indoor gas meters with new outdoor meters.
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How long will this take?
Many factors, including weather, can impact the construction schedule for our projects. Our goal is to complete projects in a timely manner and minimize your inconvenience.
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How can I identify company employees and contractors?
All employees and contractors carry an identification card with their name, photograph and identification number. They will be happy to show ID upon request for verification purposes.
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Will you need to dig up my yard, sidewalk or driveway — and if so, who’s going to fix it?
Our employees and contractors carefully plan projects to minimize the inconvenience to customers. In some cases, temporary excavations affecting sidewalks, driveways and/or lawns may be necessary. In these situations, we strive to restore normal conditions as soon as weather permits.
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What should I do if I smell natural gas?
Leave the area immediately. Natural gas has a rotten egg odor that can alert you to a leak. Don’t turn things off or on, or operate any other switches. From a safe location, call 911 and our 24-hour gas emergency line at 1-800-634-3524.
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How do I benefit from these projects?
Our infrastructure projects help ensure a continued safe and reliable system for the future. They also help prevent outages caused by aging natural gas and electric system failures. They help attract new businesses and allow existing businesses to expand in this area with a more modern energy system. They support direct and indirect jobs – including local trades. Our multi-year project plan helps ensure gradual and minimal bill impact over time.
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What’s the process for determining a project?
To select what system equipment will be replaced, NIPSCO developed a model to help prioritize upgrades. Using this model, NIPSCO identifies which equipment poses the highest risk to the system. Our Infrastructure Modernization Plan includes oversight from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission as well as customer-represented organizations such as the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and other external stakeholders.
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Do the electrical upgrades have anything to do with a “smart grid” system?
No, the projects address electric substations, underground electric cables, transformers and more, and do not entail any sort of smart grid or smart meter system.
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Why are you making these upgrades now?
This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure safe, reliable service to our customers. Just as we invest in new physical utility infrastructure, we are investing in new technology capabilities designed to serve our customers for many years to come.
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For more info
Contact us for more information about our projects.
Why are there flags and/or markings in my yard?
Prior to starting work and to ensure no other underground utilities are damaged during upgrades, we will call 811. When 811 is called, member utilities will come out to the identified worksite to mark their utilities. This is done with paint, flags and/or markers. The locate marks are good for 20 days. If work for the project will stretch beyond that (or if marks are destroyed or moved), the excavator should call 811 again to refresh the locates.
Each color of paint/flag represents a unique type of underground utility. The color code guide can tell you which colors indicate which type of utility. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. If you must dig within 24” of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care.
Color codes for utilities
The flags and paint markings used by utilities indicate the type of utility that lies underground below.
