NiSource Conducts 2009 Stockholders Meeting

--Delivering on commitments, enhancing shareholder key areas of focus

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 12, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Delivering on commitments and enhancing shareholder value were key themes at NiSource Inc.'s (NYSE: NI) 2009 annual meeting of stockholders, conducted today in Columbus, Ohio.

In a presentation to stockholders at the meeting, NiSource President and Chief Executive Officer Robert C. Skaggs, Jr., highlighted NiSource's recent accomplishments and outlined key priorities in the company's plan to enhance shareholder value and generate long-term, investment-driven earnings growth.

"Despite challenging economic and financial conditions, NiSource has made excellent progress in achieving key business targets, strengthening our financial foundation, resolving legacy issues, and building a platform for sustainable, investment-driven growth," Skaggs said. "As we move forward, our team is equipped with a balanced, measured long-term business plan and a proactive strategy for addressing the near-term challenges that face our company. Today, more than ever, I am convinced we will deliver on our commitments to enhance shareholder value, deliver long-term earnings growth and become North America's premier regulated energy company."

One of NiSource's important recent accomplishments highlighted at the meeting was the company's successful strategy for maintaining financial flexibility and solid liquidity in the current economic environment.

"Our team has executed against our liquidity plan in exceptional fashion," Skaggs said. "This comprehensive and proactive series of actions has helped NiSource fully meet its 2009 debt refinancing requirements and put us well on the way toward meeting the company's 2010 refinancing needs. In light of the steps we have taken and are continuing to take, I am confident NiSource will maintain a solid liquidity position going forward."

At the meeting, stockholders approved the re-election of 11 directors to one-year terms in office. Current Board of Directors members Richard A. Abdoo, Stephen C. Beering, Dennis E. Foster, Michael E. Jesanis, Marty R. Kittrell, Lee Nutter, Debora S. Parker, Ian M. Rolland, Robert C. Skaggs, Jr., Richard L. Thompson, and Carolyn Y. Woo, were re-elected to one-year terms of office.

NiSource stockholders also passed a proposal seeking to permit holders of 10 percent of outstanding common stock to call special stockholder meetings. Any changes would require a by-law amendment to become effective. NiSource's Board of Directors will take the results of the vote under advisement.

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 Statement

This news release contains "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. Investors and prospective investors should understand that many factors govern whether any forward-looking statement contained herein will be or can be realized. Any one of those factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning NiSource's plans, objectives, expected performance, expenditures and recovery of expenditures through rates, stated on either a consolidated or segment basis, and any and all underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical fact. From time to time, NiSource may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of NiSource, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially. Realization of NiSource's objectives and expected performance is subject to a wide range of risks and can be adversely affected by, among other things, 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, the success of NiSource's restructured outsourcing agreement, actual operating experience of NiSource's assets, the regulatory process, regulatory and legislative changes, changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions, and counter-party credit risk, many of which risks are beyond the control of NiSource. In addition, the relative contributions to profitability by each segment, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements relating thereto, may change over time.

SOURCE NiSource Inc.

http://www.nisource.com

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