elsewhere in the newsroom
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2006
CONTACT:
Leslie Orbin
Communications and Community Relations Manager
724.416.6333 or lorbin@nisource.com
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland
award local NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund Grants to commemorate
Earth Day
Canonsburg, Pa. -- To promote local environmental stewardship projects and commemorate Earth Day 2006, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland, wholly owned subsidiaries of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), awarded 10 grants to local organizations totaling $28,900 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 lends its support to local organizations that work to improve the environment and the quality of life in the local communities where our employees and customers live and work," said Terry Murphy, President of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland. "We hope other local organizations and individuals will join us in making a permanent difference in the communities we serve."
A local Environmental Challenge Fund Advisory Board, comprised of Columbia Gas employees and members of the environmental community, reviewed and selected the winning proposals from grant requests submitted earlier this year.
"The Environmental Challenge Fund is one of many programs in which NiSource demonstrates its environmental commitment. We believe in encouraging, recognizing and supporting community and environmental involvement on the part of organizations and individuals," added Art Smith, senior vice president, environmental counsel and ECF board member. "NiSource and its subsidiaries make their local communities stronger by promoting sustainable business practices and supporting initiatives that improve the quality of life."
In total, NiSource operating companies are awarding about $136,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations in conjunction with Earth Day 2006.
Pennsylvania and Maryland projects receiving funding are:
1. York
High School Student Restoration Project for Willis Run ($3,500.00)
Organization: Codorus Creek Improvement Partnership - York, Pa.
2. PA
Habitat Partnership ($5,000.00)
Organization: Ten Mile Valley NWTF - Washington, Pa.
3. Wildlife
Food Plot Project ($2,000.00)
Organization: Western MD Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
- Frostburg, Md.
4. Braddock
Run Stream Restoration ($5,000.00)
Organization: Braddock Run Watershed Association - Cumberland, Md.
5. Schoolground
Habitat Enhancement & Restoration Project ($2,000.00)
Organization: Shenango Area School District - New Castle, Pa.
6. Strawberry
Hill Campus Habitat Improvement Project ($2,000.00)
Organization: Strawberry Hill Foundation, Inc. - Fairfield, Pa.
7. Hoyes
Run Erosion Repair ($2,500.00)
Organization: Youghiogheny River Watershed Association - Oakland, Md.
8. Kennedy
Hill Restoration: Tire Removal Phase ($2,500.00)
Organization: Independence Marsh Foundation, Inc. - Aliquippa, Pa.
9. Mill
Creek Stream Bank Restoration Projects ($2,000.00)
Organization: The Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited - Youngstown,
Pa.
10. Project
Name: Spring Creek Riparian Restoration Project at the State College Elks
Club: Phase 1 ($2,400.00)
Organization: Clearwater Conservancy of Central PA, Inc. - State College,
Pa.
About
NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund
The NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund was established in 1995 and
has contributed nearly $994,000 to 276 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 3.8 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.
About
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, with local headquarters in Canonsburg, serves
more than 410,000 customers in 27 counties. Columbia Gas of Maryland serves
more than 32,000 customers in three counties. More information about Columbia
Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland is available on the World
Wide Web at www.columbiagas.com.
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