FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. -- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) received approximately 4,200 resumes from job applicants seeking to fill 21 customer service representative (CSR) positions that will become available in the company over the next several months. CSRs respond to a full range of customer telephone inquiries related to NIPSCO services and accounts, including emergency calls, billing inquiries, and credit/payment arrangements.

“We are very pleased with the level of response we have received and also the superior skill level the applicants have exhibited,” said NIPSCO President Mark Maassel. “The fact that we are hearing from a number of people who are already employed indicates that our pay and benefit package is among the best in northern Indiana.”

Most new hires will start at an hourly rate of $17.61, and also benefit from a paid, comprehensive, rigorous, on-the-job training program, a very attractive compensation program, and a dynamic work environment located on an attractive business campus.

NIPSCO is committed to hiring the most capable and talented individuals to fill key roles required to serve our customers efficiently and effectively. The large number of applicants for these customer service vacancies allows us to do so.

At the present time, the company is no longer accepting applications.

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.nisource.com.