FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2002

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Julia Van De Water
NIPSCO Communications
Manager
(219) 647-6375
 

 

NIPSCO Seeks to Continue Plans
Company initiates procedure before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - NIPSCO today initiated a legal process to allow the company to fully implement its plans to consolidate several of its local operating headquarters. The company has filed a motion requesting that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission reverse its March 15 action, which temporarily stopped NIPSCO from completing its plans to consolidate its facilities.

"We fully respect the Commission's role in regulating public utilities," said NIPSCO Chief Operating Officer Robert Schacht. "We welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that NIPSCO's plans are based on sound data and thorough analysis of our operations and should be implemented to allow the company to operate efficiently while providing safe, reliable and effective service to customers. NIPSCO has implemented the model in Kosciusko and parts of its former Elkhart district. These changes have demonstrated improved service quality during normal service calls and in storm restoration efforts. Our plans also are consistent with NIPSCO's 90-year commitment to continue to deliver quality service to our customers."

The company also is appealing an order entered March 18 by a La Porte County Superior Court which said that the court has authority to restrict NIPSCO's right to implement its business plans.

While the appeals are a necessary step in this legal process, the company is, in the meantime, complying fully with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission order issued last Friday and the stipulation entered in the LaPorte County Court.

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.