FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. --- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) was recently honored with being named a Tree Line USA Utility by the National Arbor Foundation for the eleventh year in a row.

NIPSCO’s efforts in training its employees in quality tree-care practices and educating customers on the importance of planting the right tree in the right place helped it to achieve this honor. It is the only investor-owned utility and one of only two Indiana utilities to receive the award.

“We are pleased that our efforts with both our employees and our customers are being recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The company is planning to participate in Arbor Day activities, which will be scheduled throughout our Indiana service territory during April,” said NIPSCO President Mark Maassel.

NIPSCO encourages customers interested in planting trees to call 1-800-464-7726 for their free brochure, “Selecting the Right Tree, Choosing the Right Place.” Information can also be found at: http://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.