FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Larry Graham, Manager NIPSCO Communications (260) 439-1330

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. --- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is providing safety information to customers during storm season as part of its commitment to safely delivering reliable energy service to every customer in northern Indiana, every day.

“This information is designed to help NIPSCO customers be prepared in the event of serious weather situations,” said NIPSCO President Mark Maassel. “Taking a few minutes to be ready can make all the difference in a storm situation.”

NIPSCO offers the following safety tips:

• Check first: Customers who lose power should first check their home's circuit breaker or fuse box. In some cases power outages may be attributed to a problem inside the home.
• Stay away from downed lines: If you notice a downed power line, back away from the line, call NIPSCO immediately, and wait for help from trained personnel.
• Call your electrician: Should the electric meter box and service wire entrance attached to your home be damaged in a storm, a qualified electrician will need to make repairs before NIPSCO can restore power.
• NIPSCO is always available: Call NIPSCO if your service is interrupted. Since some cordless phones do not operate during outages, it is recommended that you maintain at least one corded or cellular phone in your home. NIPSCO's customer service center is available 24-hours-a-day, 7 days a week. Customers can report outage information through our Integrated Voice Response (IVR) system or to a qualified customer service representative (CSR).
• Watch the weather: Stay up to date on potential weather situations.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Keep a first-aid kit with essential supplies, medicines and other special items, including non-perishable food and water, a non-electric can opener and a non-electric source of light, such as a glow stick or flashlight.
• Keep equipment close and ready: Ensure flashlights, portable radios and battery-operated alarm clocks are readily accessible with fully charged batteries. If candles are used, be sure to monitor them closely and never leave them burning unattended.
• Be ready with energy back-up: Make prior arrangements for back-up energy service if someone in your family requires life-support equipment.
• Conserve during interruptions: Conserve refrigeration during service interruptions by refraining from repeatedly opening refrigerator and freezer doors. Cool air escapes every time the door is opened, making the contents inside more susceptible to spoilage.

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.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency that represents the interests of all utility consumers and the public in matters related to the provision of utility services. The agency is active in proceedings before regulatory and legal bodies, and committed to giving consumers a voice in the creation of utility service policy. Consumers with questions or concerns regarding utility service can contact the OUCC toll-free at 1-888-441-2494 or on the World Wide Web at www.IN.gov/OUCC.