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For Immediate Release

Contact(s):

04/22/2005

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Leslie Orbin
Communications and Community Relations Manager
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
724.416.6333

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2005

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania awards local NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund Grants to commemorate Earth Day

Canonsburg, Pa. -- To commemorate Earth Day 2005, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, a wholly owned subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), awarded 14 grants totaling $34,000 through the NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund.

The Environmental Challenge Fund, a not-for-profit corporation, offers an annual grant competition that supports local natural resource and wildlife enhancement projects and related educational efforts in communities across NiSource's market area. This geographic area includes 19 states stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England.

"With these grants, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania supports local organizations that are committed to improving the environment and the quality of life in the local communities we serve," said Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania President Terry Murphy. "We hope other local organizations and individuals will step forward and continue the momentum that has made a real difference in the communities we serve."

Within Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania's communities, a local Environmental Challenge Fund Advisory Board reviewed and selected the winning proposals from 35 grant requests submitted earlier this year.

"The Environmental Challenge Fund is one of many programs in which NiSource demonstrates its environmental commitment - and encourages, recognizes and supports the
involvement of others," added Art Smith, senior vice president, environmental counsel and ECF board member. "NiSource and its subsidiaries help improve their local communities by promoting sustainable business practices and supporting initiatives that improve the quality of life."

In total, NiSource operating companies are awarding about $208,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations in conjunction with Earth Day 2005.

Organizations and the projects receiving funding this year are:

National Pike Trail Council (Claysville, Pa.) - Streambank Stabilization and Environmental Cleanup - $3,500; Centre County Solid Waste Authority (Bellefonte, Pa.) - Centre County Household Hazardous Waste Collection - $2,500; Education Innovations (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - NatureLAB Community - $3,500; Pennsylvania Environmental Council (Franklin, Pa.) - Stream Bank Revitalization Demonstration - $5,000; Township of Upper St. Clair (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - McLaughlin Run Streambank Planting - $1,000; Township of Upper St. Clair (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - Bluebird Project - $500; Conservation Society of York County (Brogue, Pa.) - Bonham-Wake-Robin Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife Floodplot - $3,000; Municipality of Mt. Lebanon (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - Bird Park Streambank Stabilization Demonstration - $3,500; Ten Mile Valley National Wild Turkey Federation (Washington, Pa.) - Western Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project - $3,500; McDonald Sportsman's Club (Midway, Pa.) - Venture Crew 1390 Small Bird Habitat Restoration - $2,000; Independence Marsh Foundation (Aliquippa, Pa.) - Kennedy Hill Restoration - $2,500; Student Conservation Association (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - Native Plant Restoration Partnership - $2,500; Washington County Watershed Alliance (Washington, Pa.) - Cross Creek Stream Assessment and Study - $500; and Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association (Gettysburg, Pa.) - Wildlife Nesting and Wetlands Access Project - $500.

About NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund
The NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund was established in 1995 and has contributed nearly $858,000 to 241 projects since its inception. The Environmental Challenge Fund is funded primarily by a grant from the NiSource Charitable Foundation. For more information about the Fund, visit www.nisource.com/enviro/ecf.asp.

About NiSource Inc.
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 3.7 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.

About Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, with local headquarters in Canonsburg, serves more than 400,000 customers in 27 counties. It is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). NiSource distribution companies serve 3.7 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is available on the World Wide Web at www.columbiagas.com.

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