FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Carol Churchill Director, Corporate Communications (888) 696-0481 cchurchill@nisource.com

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – The directors of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), have declared dividends on the following NIPSCO preferred stocks (AMEX: NIP):

• $1.0625 per share on 4-1/4 percent cumulative preferred stock;
• $1.13 per share on 4-1/2 percent cumulative preferred stock;
• $1.06 per share on 4.22 percent cumulative preferred stock;
• $1.22 per share on 4.88 percent cumulative preferred stock;
• $1.86 per share on 7.44 percent cumulative preferred stock;
• $1.87 per share on 7.50 percent cumulative preferred stock;
• $1.9375 per share on 7-3/4 percent cumulative preferred stock;
• $2.0875 per share on 8.35 percent cumulative preferred stock; and
• 75 cents per share on the adjustable rate cumulative preferred stock, series A.

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.