FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2002

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Media
Kris Falzone
Director, Corporate Communications
NiSource Inc. 219-647-5581

Investors
Bill O'Malley
Director, Investor Relations
NiSource Inc.
219-647-5688

NORTHERN INDIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY DECLARES PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - The directors of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), today declared dividends on the following preferred stocks: $1.0625 a share on 4-1/4 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; $1.13 a share on 4-1/2 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; $1.06 a share on 4.22 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; $1.22 a share on 4.88 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; $1.86 a share on 7.44 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; $1.87 a share on 7.50 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; $1.9375 a share on 7-3/4 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; $2.0875 a share on 8.35 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; $1.625 a share on 6.50 percent Cumulative Preferred Stock; 75 cents a share on the Adjustable Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A.

All of the above are payable on October 14, 2002, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 16, 2002.

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 3.7 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.com.