FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Julia Van De Water, Manager NIPSCO Communications (574) 284-2151

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. --- More than six miles of natural gas distribution pipeline and 600 natural gas service lines in southeast South Bend are being replaced this year as part of Northern Indiana Public Service Company’s (NIPSCO) Gas Distribution Improvement Plan (GDIP).

NIPSCO’s GDIP customer service initiative began in the 1970s to assure safe and reliable natural gas service to customers. The program has led to the installation of 393.2 miles of new natural gas distribution pipeline and the replacement of more than 52,000 natural gas service lines supplying individual NIPSCO customers.

"This work is part of our mission to deliver safe and reliable energy service to every NIPSCO customer every day,” said NIPSCO President Mark Maassel. “Replacing existing natural gas distribution and service lines assures that our customers will continue to receive the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas they have come to rely upon."

The natural gas delivery service improvements for 2004 are focused in the Miami and Twyckenham Hills subdivisions, south of Ewing Street and west of Ironwood Street, in South Bend. Customers in the affected areas will be visited by a NIPSCO representative or receive a card on their doors with instructions. Customers who will not be at home during normal business hours can call NIPSCO’s 24-hour customer service center at 1-800-4-NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726) for additional information.

Customer inconvenience will be minimized during the main and service line installation process by boring under sidewalks, driveways and curbs. NIPSCO will request that other underground utilities in the construction area be located prior to beginning work. Additionally, customers should inform NIPSCO of underground sprinkler systems, privately-owned sewer lines and other underground objects requiring special precautions. Crews will also complete appliance re-lighting projects when natural gas delivery is temporarily suspended during the installation process.

NIPSCO also is reminding customers that state law requires individuals to contact Indiana Underground at least two business days in advance of digging or excavation. The service is free for residential customers and available by calling 1-800-382-5544.

"The safety of our customers and employees is paramount,” said Maassel. “A simple phone call can identify the approximate location of underground utility lines in the work area and provide customers with helpful information for improvement projects requiring digging or excavation."

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.