FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Regina D. Biddings, Director NIPSCO Communications (219) 647-6388 Debra Birkholz, President United Steelworkers of America Local 13796 (219) 787-7293 Barry Norvell, President United Steelworkers of America Local 12775 (219) 762-3729

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. --- In accordance with the notification provisions of the existing collective bargaining agreements, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), and Locals 12775 and 13796 of the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO-CLC, today issued mutual 60-day notices of contract expiration and their intent to amend the existing agreements.

The current collective bargaining agreements, which cover approximately 1,700 operating employees represented by Local 12775 and 400 clerical employees represented by Local 13796, expire at midnight May 31, 2004. While no date has been set for the start of formal bargaining, both sides expect to begin negotiations by mid-May.

In making the joint announcement, both organizations indicated their commitment to bargain in good faith on a full range of issues, including wages, benefits and work rules.

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.