MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) announced today its gas cost adjustment (GCA) for February 2002 will decrease 10.81 percent from the previous month, which represents a 45.37 percent decrease in prices from February 2001.

This adjustment was approved subject to refund by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).

For example, a typical NIPSCO residential customer using 200 therms of natural gas during January should expect a $13.82 decrease in their February billing. NIPSCO's business and commercial gas customers should see decreases on their February billing statements as well.

According to company officials, gas prices have decreased nationally due to a reduction in demand attributed to a slowing economy, mild weather this heating season, and sufficient natural gas storage inventory levels.

NIPSCO continues to encourage its customers to use energy wisely. Customers are also reminded about various products and services available to them to help in managing their monthly utility costs.

For natural gas customers who want consistent monthly payments, NIPSCO's BudgetPlan allows customers to spread gas costs over an entire year. The NIPSCO Choice program gives customers an opportunity to choose an alternative natural gas supplier and NIPSCO's Price Protection Service option allows customers to fix or cap their per unit cost of gas.

The GCA is an allowed monthly adjustment to the gas supply charge portion of NIPSCO's natural gas service rates. The adjustment, which must be approved by the IURC, reflects the fluctuations in the price NIPSCO pays in the marketplace for natural gas. The company passes on the costs of the natural gas directly to customers without any markup under its traditional, regulated GCA service option.

Aside from the gas supply charge, the other components of NIPSCO's monthly gas statements include service costs for gas delivery, and state and local taxes. These service costs, which are also regulated by the IURC, vary with monthly gas use.

In addition, NIPSCO is reminding customers about their ability to complete various transactions through its automated phone service, DirectLink, including several convenient bill payment options that differ from traditional mail, such as writing a check via phone or paying with a credit or debit card. Customers with Internet access can also pay with a credit, debit card or check online, or enroll in NIPSCO's Online Bill Payment program. For more information about DirectLink services and options, customers can call NIPSCO at 1-800-4-NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726).

Customers may contact the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor toll-free at (888) 441-2494, or visit their website at www.in.gov/oucc. The OUCC is the state agency that represents the interests of all Indiana consumers in matters related to the provision of utility services.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) may be contacted toll-free at (800) 851-4268, or via their website at www.in.gov/iurc. An advocate of neither the public nor the utilities, the IURC is required by state statute to make decisions that balance the interests of all parties to ensure that utilities provide adequate and reliable service at reasonable prices.

NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With approximately 670,000 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.