NiSource (NYSE: NI) helps energize the lives of its nearly 4 million natural gas and electric customers across seven states. Our local utilities _ Columbia Gas and NIPSCO _ ensure that customers receive safe, reliable and affordable natural gas and electric service each and every day. Our business plan is focused on proactively investing in our energy infrastructure _ approximately $1.4 billion a year _ to ensure we meet and improve upon our customer commitments for the next 100 years. We employ more than 7,000 of our neighbors who are actively engaged in the communities weÍre privileged to serve, making them great places to live and call home. NiSource is headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana _ about 35 miles from Chicago _ and we maintain a significant corporate presence in Columbus, Ohio. Our utility operations also span Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia.