County approves addendum in IURC case aimed at keeping data‑center costs off local ratepayers
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Summary
The LaPorte County Board of Commissioners approved an addendum to IURC cause no. 46322 that county counsel said secures commitments to prevent data‑center energy costs from being passed to existing NIPSCO customers and to prioritize site evaluation for new generation in industrial zones.
LaPorte County commissioners on March 4 voted to approve an addendum in Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission cause no. 46322 that county counsel said will protect local ratepayers from potential cost shifts tied to data‑center contracts.
County attorney Shaw Friedman told the board the addendum secures "guardrails" so data‑center energy costs "do not get passed on to existing NIPSCO customers" and commits NIPSCO to prioritize evaluation of sites for new generation in industrially zoned areas, including the KIP site. "Bottom line, we accomplished what you directed us to do in this cause," Friedman said.
Why it matters: Commissioners and the county attorney framed the addendum as a practical, cost‑management step in an ongoing regulatory proceeding. Friedman cited three drivers behind high NIPSCO bills — regulator decisions, the performance of the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and recent legislation — and said changes at the commission and OUCC increase the county's prospects of limiting rate impacts. "The NIPSCO's rates are now the highest in the state of Indiana," Friedman said, adding that new appointments to the commission and a more assertive consumer counselor should help.
Board action and context: After questions from commissioners asking for a plain‑language explanation of the rate increases, the board moved and approved the addendum. Friedman noted the county would still participate in an April hearing but that the addendum reduces the need to pay for some testimony and therefore lowers county legal expense exposure. Commissioners also acknowledged outside groups could continue separate legal challenges without imposing further county costs.
What was not resolved: The addendum does not end the pending regulatory process; Friedman said there remains an April hearing and other proceedings. He also noted that some studies (cited in the presentation as Sargent & Lundy analyses) were paid for by NYSOURCE shareholders, not county taxpayers. The board did not vote on any broader legislative strategy in the meeting; commissioners said they will continue outreach to state lawmakers and the IURC.
Next steps: Friedman said studies and site evaluations referenced in the addendum are expected to be released publicly, and the county will continue monitoring the IURC docket. The board recorded its approval and moved on to other agenda items.
