NiSource: NIPSCO Electric Order in Line With Outlook

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) said today that, based on an initial review, it has concluded that the overall impact of an electric rate order received by Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) is in line with the company's expected outcome for the case and its financial outlook.

"The IURC's order in NIPSCO's 2008 electric rate case is a significant milestone in our effort to modernize rate design, enhance customer service and reliability, and build a platform for long-term, investment-driven growth," NiSource President and CEO Robert C. Skaggs Jr. noted. "This important development, along with the proposed settlement of NIPSCO's natural gas rate case announced earlier this week, represents another significant step forward in our Indiana business agenda."

Skaggs acknowledged the IURC's straightforward assessment of NIPSCO's operational and customer service improvement opportunities, noting that these have been key areas of ongoing focus for the company.

"The Commission's order references both challenges and positive efforts by NIPSCO to improve customer service, responsiveness, and reliability," Skaggs said.  "While our NIPSCO team has made progress in each of these areas, we know additional work remains.  Our entire team embraces that challenge, and is committed to delivering material improvements as we move forward."

NiSource is continuing to review the order and will provide updates as necessary.  As previously announced, NIPSCO plans to make another electric rate filing later this year to propose new customer programs and update its electric rates to reflect more recent operating costs and usage levels. The company has not yet determined potential rate impacts associated with that filing.

Additional information about the NIPSCO rate order and NiSource's long-term, investment-driven growth strategy is available at www.nisource.com and www.NIPSCO.com.

About NiSource

NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), based in Merrillville, Ind., is a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution, as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution. NiSource operating companies deliver energy to 3.8 million customers located within the high-demand energy corridor stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England. Information about NiSource and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com. NI-F

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of NiSource and its management. Although NiSource believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its goals will be achieved. Readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and that actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: weather; fluctuations in supply and demand for energy commodities; growth opportunities for NiSource's businesses; increased competition in deregulated energy markets; the success of regulatory and commercial initiatives; dealings with third parties over whom NiSource has no control; actual operating experience of NiSource's assets; the regulatory process; regulatory and legislative changes; the impact of potential new environmental laws or regulations; the results of material litigation; changes in pension funding requirements; changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions; and counter-party credit risk, and the matters set forth in the "Risk Factors" section in NiSource's 2009 Form 10-K, many of which risks are beyond the control of NiSource. NiSource expressly disclaims a duty to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release.

SOURCE NiSource Inc.

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