MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a "Tree Line USA" utility, is celebrating Arbor Day by sponsoring several events throughout northern Indiana this week.

NIPSCO, along with Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Davey Tree Expert Company and Nelson Tree Service, will participate in several Arbor Day events and demonstrate proper tree planting and pruning techniques.

"NIPSCO is committed to improving the urban forests of the communities we serve by enhancing the environment while maintaining safe, reliable service to our customers," said Barrett Hatches, NIPSCO president and chief executive officer.

The following events are scheduled this week:

April 24, 9:00 a.m.
Ironwood Park
Gary, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and Davey Tree Co.; Davey Tree will donate 2 flowering Crabapple trees for planting at Ironwood Park. NIPSCO and Davey Tree will prepare the planting site. Davey Tree will assist with the planting.

April 25, 9:30 a.m.
Peifer Elementary School
Schererville, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and Asplundh Tree Co.; NIPSCO will donate 1 White Pine for planting at the school. Students will be assisting Asplundh Tree Co. employees with the planting. Each participating student will take home a tree seedling, courtesy of NIPSCO.

April 25, 10:00 a.m.
Coolspring Elementary School
Michigan City, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and Asplundh Tree Co.; NIPSCO will donate 1 Tulip and 2 White Pine trees for planting at the school. Students will assist Asplundh Tree with the planting. Each participating student will take home a tree seedling courtesy of NIPSCO.

April 25, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fowler Town Park
Fowler, Ind.
Joint Arbor Day Celebration sponsored by NIPSCO and Town of Fowler. NIPSCO will donate 200 tree seedlings to all in attendance. Davey Tree Co. will conduct a tree pruning demonstration with a bucket truck at the park.

April 25, 1:00 p.m.
Oregon-Davis School
Hamlet, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and Asplundh Tree Co.; NIPSCO will donate 2 Tulip Trees for planting at the school. Students will be assisting Asplundh Tree Co. employees with the planting. Each participating student will take home a tree seedling courtesy of NIPSCO.

April 25, 1:00 p.m.
Commons Park
Angola, Ind.
Joint Arbor Day Celebration sponsored by NIPSCO and the City of Angola; NIPSCO will donate 1 Tulip and 4 White Pine trees for planting at the park. Ceremony attendees will be assisting Asplundh Tree Co. with the planting.

April 25
Hobart, Ind.
NIPSCO and Nelson Tree Co. will donate 3 shade trees to the City of Hobart in honor of Arbor Day.

April 25
Michigan City, Ind.
Partnership between NIPSCO and the Michigan City Tree Board; NIPSCO is donating 150 White Pine and 350 Lilac seedlings to be given away to the public during the Michigan City Arbor Day Celebration.

April 25
Lake Street between 10th and 11th Ave.
Gary, Ind.
Joint Tree Replacement Project sponsored by NIPSCO and the City of Gary; NIPSCO will donate 15 flowering Crabapples to the city for planting under a NIPSCO electric transmission power line. (These trees were selected for their beauty and lower mature heights that will not grow into the lines or hinder electric reliability.) Davey Tree Co. will assist city crews in the planting.

April 28, 9:00 a.m.
Woodview Elementary School
Nappanee, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and Asplundh Tree Co. NIPSCO will donate 1 Tulip Tree for planting at the school. Students will assist Asplundh with the planting. Each participating student will take home a tree seedling courtesy of NIPSCO.

NIPSCO has been recognized as a "Tree Line USA" utility by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the past ten years. To date, NIPSCO is the only investor-owned utility and is one of only two utilities in Indiana to receive this award. In addition to the planned Arbor Day events, NIPSCO encourages customers interested in planting trees to contact them at 1-800-464-7726 for their free brochure, "Selecting the Right Tree, Choosing the Right Place." Information is available online at www.nipsco.nisource.com/prodserv/forestry/index.asp

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.