NIPSCO

Hobart residents may experience the sights, sounds and smells of natural gas pipeline purging this week.

Cline Avenue in Schererville will be closed Wednesday between 77th and 85th.

Porter County residents will have a chance to learn more about a proposed solar farm later this month. NextEra Energy is scheduled to give a presentation about its proposed Malden Solar Farm at the February 27 county commissioners meeting.

Daily road closures continue on 77th Avenue in Schererville. 77th is closed each day from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. between St. John Road and U.S. 41.

NIPSCO is warning customers to expect higher natural gas bills this winter. The utility says it expects to pay more for natural gas due to market conditions — costs that are out of its control and will be passed along to customers. The average residential customer can expect to pay about $661 over the five-month "heating season," assuming normal weather, about $100 more than last year.

Home heating costs are expect to rise...but there are resources available to help manage costs.

Alexius Barber, NIPSCO Pubic Affairs & Economic Development Manager for Lake County discusses the resources available to help manage energy energy consumption and costs.

NIPSCO says its proposed 16.5-percent electric rate hike will help with its transition to renewable energy and upgrades to the electric grid. The utility company says it filed the proposed increase with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Monday.

Road projects are set to get underway in Lake Station and Schererville.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will host a public comment hearing Monday, August 1st in Michigan City on NIPSCO’s plan to pay for the estimated $40 million clean-up at the Michigan City Generation Station with a rate increase. The hearing at Michigan City City Hall is set to begin at 6 p.m. And we bring back our conversation with immigration attorney Alfredo Estrada.