It was a cold, dreary day but there was another Nipsco Protest held in Merrillville, Indiana on Wednesday February 3rd, 2026 from 1pm – 5pm. Folks turned out during their lunch hours, and retirees turned out by the dozens, ABC 57, WGN Chicago, Post Tribune, and dozens others were in attendance. This protest was promoted by Leo Tatro, a minister, out of Merrillville, Indiana. In the afternoon, the weather turned south, and started to snow, so folks getting off work, weren’t inclined to attend.
“I’m not here today for politics. I’m here for grandparents. I’m here for the disabled. I’m here for the people sitting in the dark and the cold who cannot fight for themselves. I personally know elderly people on fixed incomes… disabled people… who had their power shut off. Let that sink in. In the middle of winter… their heat is gone. Their lights are gone. Their safety is gone. This is not a bill problem. This is a humanity problem, stated Leo Tato at the Protest.
“NIPSCO — you have 7 days. Seven days to turn the power back on for the elderly and disabled. Seven days to show the world that you care about the people who trusted you. Because if you don’t… the world will know. And history will remember how you treated the most vulnerable people in our communities, “ Leo Continued.
In 7 days, peaceful protests will begin at NIPSCO locations everywhere — and they will not stop until something changes. “We are asking for a real plan — a public plan — explaining how energy will become affordable again for families on fixed incomes. Not excuses. A plan. And while we call for change, we are building solutions, ” Leo Continued.
On Leo’s new Facebook page, “Restore Crew,” he is connecting contractors, families, and communities to affordable heating alternatives like wood stoves, fireplaces, solar options, and propane setups. They are teaching survival strategies and teaching people how to stay warm.
“But let me say this clearly… No elderly person in America should need a survival strategy because their power company shut them off. That should never be normal. We will be sharing a Facebook page where customers can post their stories and complaints so their voices can be heard by the world. NIPSCO, this is your moment. You have 7 days to show compassion. 7 days to do the right thing. 7 days to prove you care,” stated Leo Tatro.
“We are asking for one thing: Turn the power back on for the elderly and disabled. And if you don’t… NIPSCO wants people tonight to be in the cold and possibly freeze So I guess I will be the one who does it again — publicly — for the second time, right here in front of your headquarters tonight.”
Leo protested all night long for the ones stuck in the cold because of NIPSCO. “United we stand. United we will fix this. God bless America. And God bless every person trying to stay warm tonight,” is how he finished his speech.
THE TIMELINE
(How NIPSCO Got Their Increases)
|April 28th, 2021| The Negligence: IURC Cause No. 38706-FAC-130-S1. The official record of the 2020 fire, documenting that alarms were ignored from 7:56 a.m. to 1:25 p.m.
|July 2020 | Schafer Unit 14 Fire | The pretext for “Accelerated Depreciation” and the first $257M windfall.
|June 2023 | Blackstone Equity Sale | NIPSCO pivots from “Public Utility” to “Private Infrastructure.” |
The Cost Projection: Energy Innovation & Rhodium Group |July 2025|. Analysis confirming household energy bills will rise by $280–$400 annually due to OBBBA’s repeal of clean energy credits.
The Rate Hike: IURC Cause No. 46120 |June 2025|. The approved settlement that locked in the “Step 2” revenue recovery despite the “Redline” operational crisis.
|Nov 24, 2025 | Amazon 3 GW Deal | The first “GenCo“ customer is revealed, requiring massive new gas generation. |
| Dec 23, 2025 | DOE Order 202-25-12 | The “Must-Run” mandate that forces Schafer run it’s coal powered units to redline during the storm. |
| Jan 27, 2026 | HB 1333 Progress | The “Data Center Tax Shield, |Allows Developers (Data Centers) to Ignore any/all local ordinances and/or public input or scrutiny, | Allows any development that is sited on land in an area zoned agricultural that is comprised of certain capability classes of soils; to be a permitted use. | Extends governmental immunity to a private entity or nonprofit entity that has executed certain agreements under the Indiana brownfields program. | Allows Data Center equipment eligible for the state gross retail tax exemption | | Allows for any and all attorney fees to be waived by the developer | Approved by the Indiana House (Jan 27th 2026) and moves forward in the Senate.
The Federal Order: DOE Order No. 202-25-12 |Dec 23, 2025|. The emergency mandate forcing the “Must-Run” of Schafer Units 17 And18.
The Legislation: One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) of 2025. Signed |July 4, 2025|. Projections show a $50 billion annual increase in national energy expenditures by 2035.
| July 4, 2025 | OBBBA Signed | Federal subsidies for green energy end, but NIPSCO already locked in the “recovery” fees for them. (Solar and Wind) |
| March 26 2025 | Green Energy Legislation For Solar And Wind Cause No. 45557 | The IURC has approved the inclusion of costs for specific projects (such as solar and storage) into the rate base, meaning customers pay for these projects over their lifetime. Transmission, Distribution, and Storage System Improvement Charge (TDSIC)
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