FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2003

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
Regina D. Biddings, Director
NIPSCO Communications
(219) 647-6388

NIPSCO Files Motion to Dismiss Complaint
Company Wants to Work with Residents

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. --- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) announced today the utility has filed a motion to dismiss a complaint filed by some Porter County residents and a community group opposing the company's plans to build a take station in the vicinity of Burdick Road and the American Natural Resources (ANR) interstate pipeline. A take station is a metering station at which there is a transfer of natural gas from a pipeline supplier to NIPSCO. NIPSCO has 27 other take stations in its service territory.

The Jackson Township take station will place a new source of gas in an area of immediate need, prior to the coldest part of this heating season. The facility will ensure NIPSCO can meet Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) requirements for natural gas pressure to customers in the Jackson Township area.

NIPSCO has completed eight system improvements this year, including system piping upgrades to help solve the low-pressure problems in the area. While these improvements have alleviated many issues, further supplies of natural gas and pressure are needed to serve this area.

The new gas take station will complete the plan to meet NIPSCO's legal obligation to provide safe, reliable gas service at sufficient pressure on peak winter heating days.

Though the customers are not pleased, the need for the station exists. NIPSCO is committed to work with the residents to add landscaping or other enhancements to help make the station fit in with the community.

NIPSCO hopes to complete construction of the station by the end of the 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.