MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has made enhancements to its natural gas supplier choice program, NIPSCO Choice. The program is part of NIPSCO's alternative regulatory plan approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in 1997.

Since January 2000, NIPSCO has made changes to the program's administration fees, along with waiving switching fees for customers once a calendar period. NIPSCO has also added a customer creditworthiness requirement. Customer accounts must not be in arrears for more than 30 days for enrollment and participation in the program.

In addition, a new city gate option will be implemented April 1, increasing the gas cost credit for Choice customers.

Qualified suppliers may enroll customers via mail, telephone, fax, or Internet. Prospective suppliers should prove to be financially stable and reliable to participate in the NIPSCO Choice program.

Interested marketers may contact Jim Matura at (219) 853-4012 for more information about the NIPSCO Choice program.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., is a regulated utility that provides natural gas to nearly 700,000 customers and electricity to 416,000 customers across the northern third of Indiana. NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state of Indiana. Information about NiSource Inc. and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com.