FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Julia Van De Water, Manager
NIPSCO Communications
574-284-2151

NIPSCO Bill Assistance Still Available

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. -- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is reminding customers who may need assistance in paying their NIPSCO heating bill from last winter to contact their local Salvation Army office for help.

The NIPSCO Heat Aid 2004 program, which was launched on January 26, 2004, as part of an agreement between NIPSCO and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), has distributed approximately $620,475 of the $656,000 committed funding.

The NIPSCO Heat Aid 2004 Program continues to be available for customers who haven’t already received energy assistance and are having difficulty paying their 2003-2004 winter natural gas bills or security deposits required for reconnection of service. Customers should contact a local Salvation Army office to determine their eligibility.

The NIPSCO Heat Aid 2004 program will provide the following types of assistance:

  1. Deposit Assistance for LIHEAP Eligible NIPSCO Customers

    NIPSCO customers who qualify for energy assistance under the current LIHEAP guidelines and are currently without natural gas service can receive one-time assistance of up to $300 toward the deposit.

  2. Assistance for Customers with Delinquent Balances Not Eligible for LIHEAP

    NIPSCO customers who received a delinquency notice after November 1, 2003, fall within 126 percent to 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and do not qualify for LIHEAP, may use the one-time assistance of up to $300. This deposit will be applied to utility arrearages or to assist with the restoration of disconnected natural gas service.

“We urge customers to contact their local Salvation Army to take advantage of the resources available to assist in meeting heating expenses, “ stated NIPSCO President Mark Maassel.

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 440,000 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.