MERRILLVILLE, Ind. --- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) announced today that the company will double its match for the Gift of Warmth energy assistance program.

Begun in 1982, Gift of Warmth helps families in crisis pay their winter heating bills through contributions from customers, communities, social service agencies and businesses across northern Indiana. NIPSCO typically matches the contributions dollar for dollar. Recognizing that many customers had added difficulties this winter, NIPSCO has decided to contribute two dollars for every dollar raised this heating season.

"We recognize the difficulty our customers faced this winter with increased natural gas costs and colder-than-normal temperatures," said Barrett Hatches, NIPSCO president and CEO. "We want to provide as much assistance as possible to help qualified customers take advantage of the additional help.

NIPSCO doubled its match in 2001 when natural gas prices reached record highs. At that time, the increased match provided more than $575,000 in heating assistance to customers who qualified.

Since 1982, more than $1.8 million dollars raised through Gift of Warmth has helped qualified families across northern Indiana. The Gift of Warmth program is expected to assist an additional 1,200 families this year.

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.