August 30, 2000

MERRILLVILLE, Ind.--- Northern Indiana Public Service Company's (NIPSCO) Economic Development department will be honored tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Sand Creek Country Club, 1001 Sand Creek Drive South, Chesterton, Indiana, by the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council.

The World Trade Council will present NIPSCO with the Richard N. Lund Ambassador Award for its efforts in promoting world trade among companies in northwest Indiana. The award is given out each year to an individual, business, or organization that has been consistently supportive of the council with their time, financial contributions, ideas, and/or energy.

Richard Lund, one of the founders of the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council, was the first recipient of the award and the name of the award was recently changed in his memory.

"NIPSCO has made a continuing corporate commitment to the ongoing success of the Council and it is fitting that they be recognized for this great award," said Carolyn Moore, president of the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council board of directors.

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.