NIPSCO ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO REVIEW POWER LINE SAFETY TIPS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2002

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Regina D. Biddings, Director
NIPSCO Communications & Community Relations
(219) 647-6388

NIPSCO ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO REVIEW POWER LINE SAFETY TIPS

MERRILLVILLE, Ind.---Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has joined the Edison Electric Institute and other electric utilities in raising safety concerns regarding electric power lines. NIPSCO is concerned that a scene from the new movie from 20th Century Fox titled "Like Mike" promotes a potentially life-threatening act. In the movie, a young boy climbs a tree to recover a pair of basketball shoes hanging from a utility wire when he is struck by lightning, giving him super NBA-quality basketball playing ability.

"While we realize this movie is for entertainment purposes, what this scene depicts is a very dangerous act," said Robert Schacht, NIPSCO vice president and chief operating officer. "As parents realize, young children don't always understand what could happen if they attempt to act out a scene from a movie or TV show. Regardless of whether their children see this movie or not, it's a good idea for parents to explain that climbing a tree around power lines is extremely dangerous and could be fatal if they touch or otherwise contact the line."

In order to promote safety while enjoying outdoor activities this summer, NIPSCO is encouraging customers to remember the following safety guidelines:

Whether on a utility pole or lying on the ground, always assume a line is "hot" or energized.
Never allow children to climb a utility pole or tree with wires running near or through the limbs.
Keep kites, balloons, model airplanes and other toys away from power lines at all times. Also, never throw anything into or over a utility line. If you get something caught in a power line, call NIPSCO at 1-800-464-7726.
Before beginning any project that involves ladders, antennas or anything else that could come in contact with a utility line, look up first.
Avoid making contact with any overhead, or underground utility lines and never assume an overhead line is only telephone or television cable.

For additional safety information, please visit the NIPSCO Web site at www.nipsco.com. Go to "Customer Service, Consumer Information."

NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With nearly 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 3.7 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.com.