February 7, 2000

Dave Ryan

NIPSCO Public Affairs Manager

(219) 853-5101

OR

Tangela Floyd

NIPSCO Communication Specialist

(219) 647-6377

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., today donated the use of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle to the City of Hammond to test drive for two weeks. CNG vehicles emit fewer emissions that can lead to ozone formation and lowers our nation’s dependence of foreign oil.

NIPSCO’s Sales, Marketing, Public Affairs, and Alternative Fuels departments are behind this initiative to promote the use of CNG vehicles throughout NIPSCO’s service territory.

"NIPSCO is hoping to demonstrate that today’s generation of CNG vehicles are ready to play a significant role in reducing emissions, while offering reliable fuel efficiency and low maintenance service," said Cedric Everett, NIPSCO Industrial and Commercial Sales representative, Lake County.

For nearly 20 years, NIPSCO has been proactive in reducing emissions with the development of its CNG vehicles. Several public and private sector organizations have joined NIPSCO to promote this issue and have formed the South Shore Clean Cities Coalition. This organization promotes the increased use of alternative fuels in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties in Indiana.

NIPSCO representatives gave the City of Hammond employees a complete demonstration on how to operate the car and are expecting positive feedback when the test drive is complete. Hammond Mayor Duane W. Dedelow Jr. and his staff will drive the vehicle during this time period.

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.

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