FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 08, 2001

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julia Van De Water, Manager
NIPSCO Communications and Community Relations
(219) 647-6375

NIPSCO ENCOURAGES SAFETY
Meter Reading and Service Access Important to Customers

MERRILLVILLE, Ind .- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is encouraging residents to follow basic safety procedures when a NIPSCO employee is working at or near their homes. Completing scheduled tasks such as meter reading, as well as non-scheduled visits for emergency repairs at customers' homes is important to NIPSCO as well as to customers. Access to customers' property on a safe and timely basis is critical.

As a result, NIPSCO is reminding customers to keep their dogs confined on scheduled meter reading days as well as on occasions when NIPSCO personnel is called to customers' homes for service or repair work. Customers can find the dates of their next scheduled meter reads on their current NIPSCO bills.

"For the safety of our employees and our customers, we ask that residents confine their dogs on the days of scheduled meter reads," said Tim Dehring, vice president, NIPSCO Service Delivery. "In addition, we want to remind customers that NIPSCO personnel carry proper company identification." Customers are advised to request to see the identification card (ID) before allowing anyone into their home.

In addition to the photo ID, a NIPSCO sign is displayed either on the outside of the employee's personal vehicle, or inside the vehicle itself. Dehring added that NIPSCO service and meter reading employees are also required to wear a NIPSCO uniform.

"There is absolutely nothing to feel ashamed about having to ask for help. That's what it's there for."

"Customers should also be aware that periodically, individuals impersonate NIPSCO employees in order to gain access to homes," said Dehring. "Impersonator incidents over the past year are few. If a resident suspects impersonator activity, call the police immediately." Dehring encourages customers to follow some simple tips to enhance their safety, as well as the safety of NIPSCO employees.

Ask for identification before allowing anyone into your home. All NIPSCO employees carry company-issued photo identification cards.

Confine all dogs inside or away from your meter(s) on scheduled meter reading days.

If a NIPSCO employee comes to your house unannounced, it is most likely to warn you of a possible danger, such as a gas leak in the area, meter problems or downed power lines.

Keep bushes and trees around your meters trimmed and accessible.

Additional safety tips to consider:

Always investigate before investing money or signing any type of contract.
Never give money to a stranger who offers you a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
Entrust your home repair work to reputable companies.
Report suspicious individuals to the police.
Don't be embarrassed to report that you have been victimized or swindled.

NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With approximately 700,000 natural gas customers and 430,000 electric 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. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.6 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.com.