The Northern Indiana Public Service Company has announced that it will accept revisions made by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to the Winter Warmth program for the 2009-10 winter heating season.

“NIPSCO recognizes the importance of this program to many struggling Hoosier families, so before accepting the changes to Winter Warmth, we wanted to be certain that the program would effectively provide assistance to those customers who need it most,” NIPSCO CEO Eileen O’Neill Odum said in a statement released on Monday. “Although gas prices are expected to be significantly lower this winter, we anticipate an even greater need for assistance, especially given the current level of unemployment across our local communities and the continued effects of the economy on many of our customers.”

Under the changes made by the IURC, eligible customers will be able to receive assistance fund toward their utility bills but not toward their deposit. Approximately $1.1 million of the overall $5.5 million budget for last season’s Winter Warmth program was dedicated to assisting customers with deposit amounts. Funds previously used toward deposits will now be reallocated toward bill assistance for qualifying customers, NIPSCO said.

Also new this year—another change made by the IURC—NIPSCO will be increasing its contribution to the program from 18 to 25 percent and will also be covering all administrative expenses incurred by third-party administering agencies, NIPSCO said.

Since its inception in 2004, the Winter Warmth program has provided approximately $25.4 million in bill and deposit assistance to 70,315 NIPSCO customers in more than 25 counties across northern Indiana, NIPSCO said.

During that time, the company has contributed approximately $5 million to the Winter Warmth program, while “generally utilities in other states with similar programs contribute very little or nothing at all,” NIPSCO said. “The average NIPSCO residential customer will contribute approximately 63 cents per month toward the program.”

Qualifying customers will be eligible to receive up to $450 in annual energy assistance. The qualifying eligibility requirements include those customers with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, in addition to those who have a financial hardship situation as determined by an administering Winter Warmth agency.

Customers are also encouraged to apply for all home and rental weatherization programs, including programs available from the State of Indiana through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Customers who are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for these weatherization programs.

Winter Warmth is the result of a collaborative effort by NIPSCO, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the Citizens Action Coalition, and a group representing industrial customers, NIPSCO said.

Eligible customers may begin applying for the Winter Warmth program after Dec. 14 by visiting one of the 32 existing energy assistance agency sites located across NIPSCO’s northern Indiana service area.

In Porter County contact Porter County Community Services at 1005 Campbell St. in Valparaiso. Or call (219) 464-9736.

Posted 12/1/2009