Former Governor Mitch Daniels’ "Energizing Indiana" energy-efficiency programs may be ending, but NIPSCO has its own plan ready to take over in its place.
Spokesperson Nick Meyer says the Merrillville-based utility‘s proposal would extend the features of "Energize Indiana" to at least 2015.
The current energy rebates, home energy assessment and air conditioning efficiency programs are included in the new plan.
Through these programs, NIPSCO expects residential customers to save 49.5 million kilowatt hours in 2015.
Meyer is hopeful state utility regulators and consumer advocates will approve the plan.
"The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will take a very close look at everything we've proposed," he says. "Looking at everything from are these programs cost effective, how are they helping customers, and ultimately they'll provide a decision on what those programs look like."
Meyer says an opt-out provision for larger commercial and industrial customers is also included, as many of NIPSCO’s large customers have already implemented, and continue to invest in, energy efficiency measures outside of the standard utility programs.
NIPSCO‘s been offering energy-efficiency programs to its electric customers since 2009 and for natural gas customers for many years before then.