The utility that provides electricity for much of northern Indiana is seeking a 16.5% rate increase, saying the rate hike would help it modernize its electrical grid and make other improvements.

The utility plans to test for toxic heavy metals at about 400 homes and businesses where coal ash was used as fill in construction.

The northern Indiana utility NIPSCO held a ribbon cutting on Friday for its new wind farm in White County, which the company says will power some 80,000 Hoosier homes.

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. has started work on two new solar farms in northwest Indiana that will generate a combined 465 megawatts of power when they come online next year.

Coal ash contains toxic heavy metals like arsenic. Exposure to it can cause cancer, damage your nervous system, and cause other health issues.

Northern Indiana Public Service Co.'s website shows that more than 7,000 of the utility's customers were still in the dark late Tuesday morning.

High winds produced by thunderstorms cut power to nearly 50,000 homes and businesses in northwestern Indiana Monday morning.

Several groups say Indiana needs to move away from coal and toward renewable energy, but how the state should do that is up for debate.

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. serves about 820,000 natural gas customers and 460,000 electric customers across 32 counties.

The utility says the retirements are not yet final but are "the most viable option for customers" under a plan to be submitted to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission by Nov. 1