UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )

Filed by the Registrant x

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

x  Preliminary Proxy Statement

o  Definitive Proxy Statement

o  Definitive Additional Materials

NiSource Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

o  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

Preliminary Copy

Filed Pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-6(a)

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

April 3, 2006

To the Holders of Common Stock of NiSource Inc.:

      The annual meeting (the “Annual Meeting”) of the stockholders of NiSource Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the Inn at the Ballpark, 1520 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

      All persons who are stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2006 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

      Please act promptly to vote your shares with respect to the proposals described above. You may vote your shares by marking, signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy card. You may also vote by telephone or through the Internet by following the instructions set forth on the proxy card. If you attend the annual meeting, you may vote in person, even if you have previously submitted a proxy.

      In order to help us arrange for the Annual Meeting, if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please so indicate in the space provided on the proxy card or respond when prompted on the telephone or through the Internet.

PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES BY TELEPHONE, THROUGH THE INTERNET OR BY PROMPTLY

MARKING, DATING, SIGNING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.

PROXY STATEMENT

      The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the board of directors of the Company. The common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company represented by the proxy will be voted as directed. If you return a signed proxy card without indicating how you want to vote your shares, the shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted as recommended by the board of directors “FOR” all of the nominees for director, “FOR” the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants for 2006, “FOR” the Charter Amendment Proposal, and “AGAINST” the Majority Vote Proposal. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote the shares represented by such proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

      This proxy statement and form of proxy are first being sent to stockholders on April 3, 2006. The Company will bear the expense of this solicitation. The original solicitation of proxies by mail and a reminder letter may be supplemented by telephone, facsimile and personal solicitation by officers and regular employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. To aid in the solicitation of proxies, the Company has retained Mellon Investor Services, LLC for a fee of $8,500 plus reimbursement of expenses. The Company also will request brokerage houses and other nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials, at the Company’s expense, to the beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons.

Who May Vote —

      The close of business on March 14, 2006 is the date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of March 14, 2006                      shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock outstanding on that date is entitled to one vote on each matter presented at the Annual Meeting.

Voting Your Proxy —

      If you are a stockholder of record (that is, if you hold shares of common stock of the Company in your own name), you may vote your shares by proxy using any of the following methods:

      If your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee in “street name,” you will receive voting instructions from that entity, the “record holder,” that you must follow in order to have your shares of common stock voted at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held by a broker or other nominee and you or any other person entitled to vote those shares does not provide the broker or other nominee with instructions as to how to vote such shares, that broker or nominee will have the discretionary authority to vote your shares of common stock with regard to (i) the election of directors, (ii) the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants for 2006 and (iii) the Charter Amendment Proposal. On the other hand, if you or any person entitled to vote your shares does not provide the broker or other nominee with instructions as to how to vote such shares with respect to the Majority Vote Proposal, your broker or other nominee will not have authority to vote your shares with respect to such proposal and your shares will not be voted.

      If you hold your shares in the Company’s 401(k) plan administered by Fidelity Investments, you will need to vote your shares by one of the methods discussed in this Proxy Statement in order to have your vote counted. Fidelity will not exercise any voting discretion over the shares held in its accounts. If you fail to vote by returning a completed proxy card, or by telephone or through the Internet, your shares held through Fidelity will not be voted.

      If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please so indicate when you vote, so that the Company may make arrangements.

Voting in Person —

      You also may come to the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person by obtaining and submitting a ballot that will be provided at the meeting. However, if your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee in street name, including Fidelity Investments as administrator of the Company’s 401(k) plan, then in order to be able to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the institution that is the holder of record for your shares, indicating that you were the beneficial owner of the shares on March 14, 2006, the record date for voting, and that the record holder is giving you the proxy to vote the shares.

Revoking Your Proxy —

      A proxy may be revoked by the stockholder at any time before a vote is taken or the authority granted is otherwise exercised. To revoke a proxy, you may send to the Company’s Corporate Secretary a letter indicating that you want to revoke your proxy or you can supersede your initial proxy by (i) delivering to the Corporate Secretary a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, (ii) voting by telephone or through the Internet on a later date, or (iii) attending the meeting and voting in person. Attending the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself revoke a proxy.

Quorum for the Meeting —

      A quorum of stockholders is necessary to take action at the Annual Meeting. A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. The inspectors of election appointed for the Annual Meeting will determine whether or not a quorum is present. The inspectors of election will treat instructions to withhold authority, abstentions and broker non-votes as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner does not have authority to vote the shares and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner as to how the beneficial owner would like the shares to be voted.

Votes Required —

      A plurality of the votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the meeting is required to elect a director. Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants for 2006 and approval of the Majority Vote Proposal require the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on these matters. Approval of the Charter Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.

      Votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the meeting will be tabulated by the inspectors of election. Abstentions will not have any effect on the election of the directors; however, abstentions will be counted as a vote against the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants for 2006, against the Charter Amendment Proposal and against the Majority Vote Proposal. Broker non-votes will not be considered when tallying the votes cast on any proposal for which a broker does not have discretionary authority. Brokers will not have discretionary authority with respect to the Majority Vote Proposal. Therefore, broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the Majority Vote Proposal. Stockholders holding shares of stock through the Company’s 401(k) Plan with Fidelity will need to vote their shares of stock by one of the methods discussed in this proxy statement in order to have their votes counted.

PROPOSAL I — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees For Election As NiSource Directors

      The Company’s board of directors is currently composed of eleven directors, who are divided into three classes. Each class serves for a term of three years, and one class is elected each year. The NiSource board of directors, upon the recommendation of its Corporate Governance Committee, has nominated Gary L. Neale, Robert J. Welsh and Roger A. Young for election as directors of the Company, each for a term of three years that will expire in 2009. Each of Messrs. Neale, Welsh and Young currently serves as a director of the Company and is up for re-election this year. The board of directors does not anticipate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve, but if any nominee is unable to serve, the proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the person or persons acting thereunder.

      In the event that the Charter Amendment Proposal is adopted by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, the classified board structure described herein will be removed, resulting in the annual election of all directors beginning at the annual meeting in 2007.

      The following chart gives information about nominees (who have consented to being named in the proxy statement and to serving if elected) and other incumbent directors. The dates shown for service as a director include service as a director of our corporate predecessors NiSource Inc. (incorporated in Indiana) and Northern Indiana Public Service Company.

THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL TO ELECT MESSRS. NEALE, WELSH AND YOUNG AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, EACH TO SERVE FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS UNTIL 2009.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

      For many years, a substantial majority of the Company’s board of directors has been comprised of “independent” directors. In order to assist the board in making its determination of director independence, the board has adopted categorical standards of independence consistent with the standards contained in Section 303A.02(b) of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Corporate Governance Listing Standards. The Company’s categorical standards of independence are set forth on Exhibit A to this proxy statement and are listed in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, a copy of which can be found on the Company’s website at http://ir.nisource.com.

      The board of directors has affirmatively determined that all of the members of the board (except Messrs. Neale and Skaggs) are “independent directors” as defined in Section 303A.02(b) of the NYSE Listing Standards and meet the standards for independence set by the board.

Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors

      The non-management members of the board meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions separate from management and have appointed Mr. Ian M. Rolland as lead, or presiding, director to preside at the executive sessions of the non-management directors. The non-management directors met in such executive session twice in 2005. All of the independent members of the board meet regularly as the Corporate Governance Committee.

Communications with the Board and Non-Management Directors

      Stockholders and other interested persons may communicate any concerns they may have regarding the Company as follows:

Code of Ethics

      The board of directors of the Company has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) to promote (i) ethical behavior including the ethical handling of conflicts of interest, (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure, (iii) compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, (iv) accountability for adherence to the Code and (v) prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code. The Code satisfies applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and NYSE requirements and applies to all directors, officers

(including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer and controller) and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Employees who are not executive officers satisfy their compliance obligations under the Code by complying with the Company’s Business Ethics Program, including its Code of Integrity and accompanying booklet. The Business Ethics Program is not considered a part of the Code for any other purpose. A copy of the Code and the Company’s Business Ethics Program is available on the Company’s website at http://ir.nisource.com and will be provided by the Company to any stockholder who requests it in writing from the Company’s Corporate Secretary. The Company intends to disclose any amendments to the Code, and all waivers from the Code for directors and executive officers, by posting such information on its website.

Adoption of Corporate Governance Guidelines

      The board of directors adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines on March 23, 2004. The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and reassessing the Corporate Governance Guidelines periodically and will submit any recommended changes to the board of directors for its approval. A copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found on the Company’s website at http://ir.nisource.com and will be provided by the Company to any stockholder who requests it in writing from the Company’s Corporate Secretary.

Meetings and Committees of the Company’s Board of Directors

      The board of directors of the Company met eight times during 2005. The board has the following six standing committees:

      During 2005, each director attended at least 75% of the combined total number of the Company’s board meetings and the meetings of the committees on which he or she was a member. Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, all directors are expected to attend the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. All incumbent directors who were on the board in May 2005 attended the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

      The Executive Committee did not meet in 2005. The Executive Committee has the authority to act on behalf of the board if reasonably necessary when the board is not in session. Mr. Neale was Chairman and Dr. Beering and Messrs. Rolland and Welsh and, until his resignation on May 9, 2005, Mr. Arthur J. Decio were members of the Executive Committee in 2005.

      The Audit Committee met ten times in 2005. The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring:

      The board of directors adopted a charter for the Audit Committee on January 23, 2004, a copy of which can be found on the Company’s website at http://ir.nisource.com and will be provided by the Company to any stockholder who requests it in writing from the Company’s Corporate Secretary.

      Mr. Rolland was Chairman and Dr. Woo and Messrs. Foster and Thompson were members of the Audit Committee in 2005. In May 2005, Mr. Young was appointed to the committee. The board of directors has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined under the applicable NYSE rules and meet the additional independence standard set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Audit Committee has reviewed and approved the independent public accountants, both for 2005 and 2006, and the fees relating to audit services and other services performed by them.

      For more information regarding the Audit Committee please see the Audit Committee Report on page 31.

      The Corporate Governance Committee met three times in 2005. The Corporate Governance Committee took over responsibility for the nomination and compensation of directors in 2004 and is responsible for:

      Pursuant to the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Corporate Governance Committee, with the assistance of the Company’s staff, reviews the amount and composition of director compensation from time to time and makes recommendations to the board of directors when it concludes changes are needed. The Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for the evaluation of the CEO’s performance. The Corporate Governance Committee reviews and approves the Company’s goals and objectives relevant to CEO compensation and evaluates the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives and after receiving input from the board of directors. The Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee will report the committee’s findings to the Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee, which will use these findings to set CEO compensation.

      The Corporate Governance Committee screens candidates for director and makes its recommendations for director to the board as a whole. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the board as a whole selects the candidates for director. In considering candidates for director, the committee considers the nature of the expertise and experience required for the performance of the duties of a director of a company engaged in the Company’s business, as well as each candidate’s relevant business, academic and industry experience, professional background, age, current employment, community service and other board service. The committee also considers the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of the board. The Corporate Governance Committee seeks to identify and recommend candidates with a reputation for and record of integrity and good business judgment who (1) have experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility and are leaders in the organizations with which they are affiliated, (2) are effective in working in complex collegial settings, (3) are free from conflicts of interest that could interfere with a director’s duties to the Company and its stockholders and (4) are willing and able to make the necessary commitment of time and attention required for effective board service. The Corporate Governance Committee also takes into account the candidate’s level of financial literacy. The Corporate Governance Committee monitors the mix of skills and experience of the directors in order to assess whether the board has the necessary tools to perform its oversight function effectively. The Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees for directors recommended by stockholders and will use the same criteria to evaluate candidates proposed by stockholders.

      For information on how to nominate a person for election as a director at the 2007 annual meeting, please see the discussion under the heading “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 2007 Annual Meeting” on page 33.

      The board of directors adopted the current written charter for the Corporate Governance Committee on January 23, 2004, which was amended on February 17, 2006, a copy of which can be found on the Company’s website at http://ir.nisource.com and will be provided by the Company to any stockholder who requests it in writing from the Company’s Corporate Secretary. Mr. Rolland was Chairman and Drs. Beering and Woo and Messrs. Decio (until May 9, 2005), Foster, McCracken, Thompson, Young and Welsh were members of the Corporate Governance Committee in 2005. The board of directors has determined that all of the members of the Corporate Governance Committee are independent as defined under the applicable NYSE rules and meet the additional independence standard set forth by the board.

      The Environmental, Health and Safety Committee met twice during 2005. This committee reviews the status of environmental compliance of the Company and considers environmental public policy issues as well as health and safety issues affecting the Company. The Company adopted a charter for this committee in 2001. Mr. Welsh was Chairman and Messrs. Thompson and Young were members of the Environmental, Health and Safety Committee in 2005. Messrs. Stephen P. Adik and Decio served on the Committee until May 9, 2005, and Mr. McCracken was appointed to the Committee in May, 2005.

      The Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee met five times in 2005. The board of directors adopted the current written charter for the Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee on January 23, 2004, a copy of which can be found on the Company’s website at http://ir.nisource.com and will be provided by the Company to any stockholder who requests it in writing from the Company’s Corporate Secretary. Pursuant to the charter, this committee advises the board with respect to nomination, evaluation, compensation and benefits of the Company’s executives. In that regard, the committee:

      The Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee was reduced from four directors to three in 2005. All of the directors serving on the Committee are (i) independent as defined under the applicable NYSE rules and meet the additional independence standard set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, (ii) “non-employee directors” as defined under the Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (iii) “outside directors” as defined by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Dr. Beering was Chairman and Mr. Welsh was a member of the Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee throughout 2005. Mr. Decio served on the Committee through his resignation from the board on May 9, 2005

and was replaced at that time by Mr. McCracken. Mr. John Thompson served on the Committee through his resignation from the board on August 24, 2005.

      The Public Affairs and Career Development Committee met twice in 2005. This committee reviews the activities of the Company with regard to charitable and other contributions, employment policies, and stockholder proposals concerning matters relating to the Company’s responsibilities as a corporate citizen. Dr. Woo was Chairman of the Committee beginning in March of 2005, replacing Mr. John Thompson. Dr. Beering and Messrs. Foster and Rolland also were members of the Public Affairs and Career Development Committee in 2005.

Compensation of the Company’s Directors

      The Company pays each director (other than Mr. Neale for the period after July 1, 2005, as described below) who is not receiving a salary from the Company $30,000 for each year, $3,000 annually for each standing committee on which the director sits, $1,000 annually for each chairmanship of the Executive, the Environmental, Health and Safety, and the Public Affairs and Career Development Committees, $10,000 annually for each chairmanship of the Audit, the Corporate Governance and the Officer Nomination and Compensation Committees, $1,200 for each board meeting attended and $750 per committee meeting attended. Each nonemployee director also receives, as part of his or her annual retainer, an annual award of restricted shares of common stock or restricted stock units, or a combination thereof, under the Company’s Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan equal to $20,000, which is granted in four equal installments on the last business day of each calendar quarter. The number of restricted shares of common stock or restricted stock units, as applicable, constituting such quarterly grant is determined by dividing $5,000 by the average of the high and low price of the Company’s common stock on the last business day of the relevant quarter.

      The Company’s Nonemployee Director Retirement Plan provides a retirement benefit for each nonemployee director currently serving on the board who was originally elected or appointed to the board on or before December 31, 2001, who has completed at least five years of service on the board and who did not elect to opt out of the plan during 2002. The benefit under the Retirement Plan is a monthly amount equal to one-twelfth of the annual retainer for board service in effect at the time of the director’s retirement from the board and is paid for 120 months, or the number of full months of service the individual served as a nonemployee director of the Company, whichever is less. Directors first elected prior to 2001 who elected to opt out of the Retirement Plan in 2002 received, under the Company’s Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan, restricted stock units of comparable value to the value of the retirement benefit such director had earned under the Retirement Plan through June 30, 2002. The Nonemployee Director Retirement Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

      Directors who elected to opt out of the Retirement Plan in 2002 and directors first elected after 2001 do not receive a retirement benefit under the Retirement Plan. Instead, such directors may receive, at the discretion of the Corporate Governance Committee, additional restricted shares of common stock and/or restricted stock unit grants under the Company’s Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2005, to ensure that this alternative retirement benefit, together with other compensation paid to the nonemployee director, delivers a competitive compensation package. In 2005, Mr. Rolland, who opted out of the Company’s Retirement Plan, and Mr. McCracken, who was newly elected to the board, each received as an alternative retirement benefit a grant of restricted stock units having a value of $37,749, representing $12,583 per year for each of the next three years, and a grant of restricted stock units having a value of $14,504, representing $4,834 per year for each term for which they were elected beginning in 2004.

      Upon election, re-election or appointment to the board, each nonemployee director receives an award of restricted shares of common stock or restricted stock units equal to $30,000 for each full year of the term for which such director has been elected, re-elected or appointed. The number of restricted shares of common stock or restricted stock units, or a combination thereof, as applicable, is determined by dividing the amount of

the grant by the average of the high and low price of the Company’s common stock on the date of such election, re-election or appointment. In 2005, under the Company’s Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan, each of Messrs. Rolland and McCracken received a grant of restricted stock units with a value of $90,000, representing $30,000 per year for each of the next three years.

      The grants of both the restricted shares of common stock and the restricted stock units under the Company’s Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan vest in 20% annual increments, with all of a director’s stock and units vesting five years after the date of award. However, the grants vest immediately upon the director’s death, disability or retirement after attaining age 70, or the effective date of a change in control of the Company. With respect to restricted stock, dividends are paid to holders in cash on the date dividends are actually paid to stockholders of the Company. With respect to restricted stock units, additional restricted stock units are credited to each nonemployee director to reflect dividends paid to stockholders of the Company with respect to common stock. The restricted stock units have no voting or other stock ownership rights and are payable in shares of the Company’s common stock.

      The board may designate that a scheduled award will consist of nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock rather than shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units. In such event, in lieu of such shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units, each nonemployee director would be granted a nonqualified option with a market value on the date of any such grant equal to the dollar value of the grant otherwise scheduled to be made to such nonemployee director on such date. Grants of nonqualified stock options vest in 20% annual increments and become fully vested on the fifth anniversary of the date of the grant. The grants will vest immediately upon the director’s death, disability or retirement after attaining age 70, or the effective date of a change in control of the Company. The Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

      The Company has a Directors’ Charitable Gift Program for nonemployee directors who were serving on the board on or before February 16, 2006, and who were not previously employees of the Company. Under the program, the Company makes a donation to one or more eligible tax-exempt organizations as designated by each eligible director. The Company contributes up to an aggregate of $125,000 for each nonemployee director who has served as a director of the Company for at least five years and up to an additional $125,000 (for an overall $250,000) for each nonemployee director who has served ten years or more. Organizations eligible to receive a gift under the program include charitable organizations and accredited United States institutions of higher learning. Individual directors derive no financial benefit from the program, as all deductions relating to the charitable donations accrue solely to the Company. A director’s private foundation is not eligible to receive donations under the program. All current nonemployee directors (other than Mr. McCausland) who were not previously employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the program.

      Pursuant to a letter agreement with Mr. Neale entered into in connection with his retirement, the Company has agreed to pay Mr. Neale $50,000 per calendar quarter for his services as a director for a period from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2007 in lieu of any other benefits and compensation provided to other non-employee directors.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN

BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

      The following table contains information about those persons or groups that are known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than five percent of the outstanding common stock.

      The following table contains information about the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of March 1, 2006, for each of the directors, nominees and named executive officers, and for all directors and executive officers as a group.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation

      The Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee’s (“Committee”) compensation policy is designed to relate total compensation (base salary, annual incentives and long-term stock-based compensation) to corporate performance, while remaining competitive with the compensation practices of competitors in the energy industry and, to a lesser extent, general industry. This policy applies to all of the Named Officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, as of December 31, 2005. The Committee discusses and considers these compensation matters, then makes recommendations to the full board of directors, which takes the final action on these matters. The board accepted all of the Committee’s recommendations in 2005. All decisions involving Chief Executive Officer compensation are made by the Committee based on the Corporate Governance Committee’s report on its evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance.

      In 2005, the Committee engaged Hewitt Associates, an independent compensation consulting firm, to advise it and provide surveys of comparative compensation practices for (1) a group of energy companies, including gas, electric or combination utility companies, and (2) a diversified group of companies representing general industry. The 2005 executive compensation comparative groups consisted of 25 and 36 companies, respectively, from which data was available to Hewitt and which the Committee believed to be competitors of the Company for executive talent. The comparative compensation groups include most, but not all, of the companies that make up the Dow Jones Utilities Index used in the Stock Price Performance Graph and consist of a larger number of companies than contained in the index. The Committee may change the companies contained within the comparative compensation groups in future years if information about any company included in a group is not available, if any companies included in a group are no longer competitors for executive talent, or if the Committee determines that different energy or other types of companies are competitors of the Company.

      The Committee considers the surveys and advice provided by Hewitt in determining each executive officer’s base salary, annual incentives and long-term stock-based compensation. In 2005, the Committee’s philosophy was to set base salaries and performance-based annual cash incentives between the 50th and 75th percentile of the energy and general industry comparative groups. The annual cash-based compensation was then supplemented with restricted or contingent stock awards and option grants under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, again between the 50th and 75th percentile of the comparative groups, to emphasize long-term stock price appreciation and the concomitant increased stockholder value. The mix of compensation allowed an executive’s annual total compensation to fluctuate according to the Company’s financial performance and value delivered to stockholders. In 2005, the target for total compensation of the executive officers was set between the 50th and the 75th percentile of the relevant comparative compensation groups.

      In establishing Mr. Neale’s base salary for that portion of 2005 during which he served as Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Skaggs’ base salary, the Committee reviewed information provided by Hewitt regarding chief executive officer compensation practices of comparable energy companies and general industry. The Committee determined that Mr. Neale’s base salary would be set between the 50th and 75th percentile of salaries in the comparative group, giving regard to Mr. Neale’s proven abilities and strong performance with the Company since joining it as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 1989. As with the other executive officers, Mr. Neale’s annual incentive under the NiSource Corporate Incentive Plan was based on the Company’s performance against financial performance targets established by the Committee. The target for Mr. Neale’s total compensation was set between the 50th and the 75th percentile of the relevant comparative compensation groups, dependent on the Company’s financial performance. As part of his total compensation package, Mr. Neale also received stock options in 2005 under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan.

      In establishing Mr. Skaggs’ base salary for 2005, the Committee reviewed information provided by Hewitt regarding chief executive officer compensation practices of comparable energy companies and general industry. In light of his recent election as Chief Executive Officer, the Committee determined that Mr. Skaggs’ base salary would be set below the 50th percentile of salaries in the comparative groups. As with the other executives, Mr. Skaggs’ annual incentive under the NiSource Corporate Incentive Plan was based on the Company’s performance against financial performance targets established by the Committee. Similarly, for 2005, the target for Mr. Skaggs’ total compensation was also set below the 50th percentile of the relevant comparative compensation groups. As part of his total compensation package, Mr. Skaggs also received stock options in 2005 under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan.

      Because the value of the options is a function of the price growth of the Company’s stock, the amounts Messrs. Neale and Skaggs would realize from their respective options are directly related to increases in stockholder value.

      The Committee determines annual incentive targets for all executive officers in accordance with the NiSource Corporate Incentive Plan, which is a broad-based plan that extends to most employees within the organization. Annual incentives awarded to each of the Named Officers (including the Chief Executive Officer) are based on overall corporate performance and, to a lesser extent, individual performance of the executive. The NiSource Corporate Incentive Plan establishes a trigger amount of financial performance (below which no annual incentive is paid) and a maximum level (above which no additional annual incentive is paid). Additionally, a profit sharing contribution based on a percentage of an employee’s eligible earnings may be made to an employee’s account in the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan on behalf of all eligible employees, including the executive officers, based on the identical overall corporate financial performance measure.

      In 2005, the trigger was based on basic earnings per share from net operating earnings (after accounting for the cost of the incentive plan). The range of awards and levels of awards (as a percent of base salary), if the financial performance trigger was achieved, were as follows:

      For 2005, the Company did not achieve the trigger amount of basic earnings per share from net operating earnings necessary to result in payments under the NiSource Corporate Incentive Plan. Therefore, no bonuses were paid under the NiSource Corporate Incentive Plan for performance in 2005. In addition, no profit sharing contributions were made to the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan accounts with respect to 2005.

      The Committee’s compensation policy is designed to ensure that the executives’ total compensation packages align with and support the Company’s business objectives while also aligning the interests of the executive officers with the interests of its stockholders. In that regard, the Committee believes that compensation packages should emphasize long-term growth and stability, while continuing to provide shorter-term incentives.

      Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Committee may award stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, restricted stock awards, and contingent stock awards. The Committee considers base salaries of the executive officers, prior awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, and the Company’s total

compensation target in establishing long-term incentive awards. For purposes of determining the number of options and/or shares to be granted to reach total target compensation, options granted to executive officers are valued, at the time of the grant, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and restricted stock awards and contingent stock awards granted to executive officers are valued using Hewitt’s present value pricing model. Based on the aforementioned considerations, in 2005, the Company provided long-term incentive awards only in the form of stock options that vested immediately and required a minimum one-year holding period prior to exercise.

      In 2003 and 2004 (and with respect to certain new employees in 2005), grants of restricted and contingent stock under the Long Term Incentive Plan were made pursuant to a Time Accelerated Restricted Stock Award Program (“TARSAP”). Generally under the plan, restrictions with respect to the TARSAP awards lapse six years from the date of the grant: however, if at the end of a three year performance cycle the Company meets both a peer group target (a 60% percentile for relative total stockholder return ranking) and an absolute target (a 12% annualized compound total stockholder return), the restrictions with respect to the awards would lapse on the third anniversary of the grants. The six-year lapse period on awards of contingent stock is reduced on a pro rata basis for an executive if he or she terminates employment, without cause, on or after attaining age 55 with ten years of service, or if he or she dies or becomes disabled, to a minimum of three years to the extent that the end of the six-year period would extend beyond age 62. Due to the age-related provisions within the TARSAP, the restrictions on the awards for Mr. O’Donnell would lapse over a period of three years in the event of retirement, disability or death. In the event of a change in control, all restrictions on the TARSAP awards lapse five business days prior to the date such change in control occurs.

      The TARSAP provides a compensation component that encourages stable, long-term growth and aligns the interests of the executives with that of the stockholders. For the three-year performance cycles commencing on January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2004, the peer-group-relative performance target was based on a total stockholder return ranking within the 60th percentile and the absolute target was set at an annualized compound total stockholder return of at least 12%. The peer group for the grants to date under the TARSAP is the same as the comparative energy group used for measuring overall annual compensation. For the 2003 TARSAP grants, the three-year performance targets were not met; therefore, the restrictions with respect to those grants will not lapse until January 1, 2009.

      Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that annual compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to the chief executive officer or any of the other Named Officers, other than compensation meeting the definition of “performance based compensation,” will not be deductible by a corporation for federal income tax purposes. Because the portion of total compensation that constitutes stock options is performance-based and certain executives have agreed to limitations on the amount of other types of grants under the Long-Term Incentive Plan which can vest in any year, the Committee does not anticipate that the limits of Section 162(m) will materially affect the deductibility of compensation paid by the Company in 2005. However, the Committee will continue to review the deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m) and related regulations.

      For 2006, the Committee modified its overall compensation philosophy. The Committee’s philosophy is to provide a competitive total compensation program based on the approximate 50th percentile of the range of compensation paid by similar energy companies, taking into account the Company’s performance. For 2006, the Committee also determined that it would not grant its incumbent executive officers additional options or restricted or contingent shares. In making this determination, the Committee considered whether the failure to make additional grants in 2006 would weaken the Company’s ability to retain highly qualified executives. The Committee also considered whether the failure to make additional grants in 2006 would lessen the Company’s commitment to long-term stock price appreciation. The Committee determined that the options and restricted and contingent shares already awarded to incumbent executives provided sufficient value to retain highly qualified executives and provided continued focus on long-term stock price appreciation.

      The Committee believes that its overall executive compensation program has been, and will continue to be, successful in providing competitive compensation sufficient to attract and retain highly qualified executives, while at the same time encouraging the executive officers to strive toward the creation of additional stockholder value.

March 7, 2006

STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

      The following graph compares the yearly change in the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return on common stock from 2000 through 2005, with the cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones Utilities Average, assuming the investment of $100 on December 31, 2000 and the reinvestment of dividends.

Compensation Of Executive Officers

      Summary. The following table summarizes compensation for services to NiSource and its subsidiaries for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003 awarded to, earned by or paid to the Chief Executive Officer, the four other most highly compensated executive officers and two other individuals who would have been among the four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company had each such individual remained an executive officer of the Company as of December 31, 2005 (collectively these individuals constitute the “Named Officers”).

Summary Compensation Table

      Option Grants in 2005. The following table sets forth information concerning the grants of options to purchase common stock made during 2005 to the Named Officers. No stock appreciation rights were awarded during 2005.

Option/ SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year

Individual Grants

      Option Exercises in 2005. The following table sets forth certain information concerning the exercise of options or stock appreciation rights during 2005 by each of the Named Officers and the number and value of unexercised options and stock appreciation rights at December 31, 2005.

Aggregate Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year

and Fiscal Year-End Option Values

      Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards in 2005. The following table sets forth information concerning the shares of restricted stock and shares of contingent stock awarded pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan during 2005 to each of the Named Officers.

Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards in 2005

Pension Plan and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

      The following table shows estimated annual benefits, giving effect to the Company’s Pension Plan and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, payable upon retirement to persons in the specified remuneration and years-of-service classifications.

Pension Plan Table

Based on 2005 maximum age 65 Social Security benefit of $22,488 per year.

      The credited years of service for each of the Named Officers, pursuant to the Pension Plan and/or Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, are as follows: Robert C. Skaggs, Jr. — 25 years; Christopher A. Helms — 1 year; Jeffrey W. Grossman — 26 years; Michael W. O’Donnell — 34 years; and David J. Vajda —

28 years. The credited years of service as of the date each of the following individuals left the Company was: Gary L. Neale — 31 years; Samuel W. Miller, Jr. — 2 years and S. LaNette Zimmerman — 25 years.

      Upon their retirement, regular employees and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries which adopt the plan (including directors who are also full-time officers) will be entitled to a monthly pension in accordance with the provisions of the Company’s pension plan, originally effective as of January 1, 1945. The directors who are not and have not been officers of the Company are not included in the pension plan. The pensions are payable out of a trust fund established under the pension plan with The Northern Trust Company, trustee. The trust fund consists of contributions made by the Company and the earnings of the fund. Over a period of years the contributions are intended to result in overall actuarial solvency of the trust fund. The pension plan of the Company has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code.

      Most of the pension plans that include officers were amended and restated effective July 1, 2002 to add a “cash balance feature.” (The cash balance feature was added to the Retirement Plan of Columbia Energy Group Companies as of January 1, 2000.) Participants in the plans as of December 31, 2001 were entitled to elect to remain in the “final average pay feature” of the plans or to begin participating in the cash balance feature. Participants hired on and after January 1, 2002 automatically participate in the cash balance feature. A participant in the cash balance feature will have a benefit consisting of his or her opening account balance (his or her accrued benefit under the final average pay feature of the plan as of December 31, 2001, if any) plus annual pay and interest credits to his or her cash balance account. Pay credits equal a percentage of compensation based on the participant’s combined age and service. Interest is credited to his or her account based on the interest rate on 30-year treasury securities, as determined by the Internal Revenue Service, for the September immediately preceding the first day of each year, but not less than 4%. Upon retirement, termination of employment or death, the participant or his or her beneficiary will receive a benefit that is the equivalent of his or her cash balance account balance. Participants and beneficiaries are entitled to elect to receive payment of this benefit pursuant to various alternatives, including a lump sum option.

      These pension plans were amended and restated effective January 1, 2006 to add a new cash balance feature, for exempt employees only. Participants in the plans prior to October 1, 2005 were entitled to elect to remain in the “final average pay feature” or the original cash balance feature, or to begin participating in the new cash balance feature. Participants hired into exempt employee positions on or after October 1, 2005 and prior to January 1, 2006 automatically participated in the original cash balance feature until January 1, 2006, when they automatically began participating in the new cash balance feature. Participants hired into exempt employee positions on or after January 1, 2006 automatically participate in the new cash balance feature. The difference between the original cash balance feature and the new cash balance feature is that the pay credits provided under the new cash balance feature are a lower percentage of compensation. However, participants in the new cash balance feature receive an enhanced matching contribution under the Retirement Savings Plan ($1 matching contribution for each $1 in participant contribution, up to 6% of compensation each pay period, subject to Internal Revenue Code limits). As of January 1, 2011, all participants who are exempt employees will participate in the new cash balance feature.

      Pension benefits are determined separately under the final average pay portion of the plan for each participant. The formula for a monthly payment for retirement at age 65 under the NiSource pension plan is 1.7% of average monthly compensation multiplied by years of service (to a maximum of 30 years) plus 0.6% of average monthly compensation multiplied by years of service over 30. Average monthly compensation is the average for the 60 consecutive highest-paid months in the employee’s last 120 months of service. Covered compensation is defined as wages reported as W-2 earnings (up to a limit set forth in the Internal Revenue Code and adjusted periodically) plus any salary reduction contributions made under the Company’s 401(k) plan, minus any portion of a bonus in excess of 50% of base pay and any amounts paid for unused vacation time and vacation days carried forward from prior years. The benefits listed in the Pension Plan table are not subject to any deduction for Social Security or other offset amounts.

      The Company also has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan which applies to those officers and other employees selected by the board of directors to participate in the plan. Benefits from this plan are to be

paid from the general assets of the Company. The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

      For each officer and employee who first participated in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan prior to January 23, 2004, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan provides a retirement benefit at age 65 of the greater of (i) 60% of five-year average pay (prorated for less than 20 years of service) and an additional 0.5% of 5-year average pay per year between 20 and 30 years of service, less Primary Social Security Benefits (prorated for less than 20 years of service) or (ii) the benefit formula under the NiSource pension plan. In either case, the benefit is reduced by the actual pension payable from the pension plan covering the officer or employee and benefits earned under the Pension Restoration Plan for NiSource Inc. and Affiliates. In addition, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan provides certain early retirement and disability benefits and pre-retirement death benefits for the spouse of a participant.

      For each officer and employee who first participates in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan on and after January 23, 2004, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan provides a credit into a notional account as of the last day of each year beginning on or after January 1, 2004 equal to five percent of the officer or employee’s compensation. Interest will be credited to the account until distribution upon termination of employment after five or more years of service with the Company and its affiliates. In addition, the Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee, subject to approval of the Board of the Company, may authorize supplemental credits to an officer or employee’s account in such amounts and at such times, and subject to such specific terms and provisions, as authorized by the Committee.

      Mr. Skaggs, Mr. O’Donnell and Mr. Grossman continue to participate in the Retirement Plan of Columbia Energy Group Companies, a subsidiary of the Company. Mr. O’Donnell has 34 credited years of service, Mr. Grossman has 26 credited years of service and Mr. Skaggs has 25 credited years of service under this plan. The formula for a retiree’s monthly retirement benefit at age 65 under the Retirement Plan of Columbia Energy Group is (i) 1.15% of the retiree’s final average compensation that does not exceed 1/2 of the taxable Social Security wage base times years of service up to 30, plus (ii) 1.5% of the retiree’s final average compensation in excess of 1/2 of the taxable Social Security wage base times years of service up to 30, plus (iii) 0.5% of the retiree’s final average compensation times years of service between 30 and 40. As of January 1, 2004, Mr. O’Donnell participates in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, described above, based on his service and compensation with the Company and its affiliates from and after November 1, 2000.

      Effective January 1, 2004, the Company assumed sponsorship of the Pension Restoration Plan for Columbia Energy Group, renamed the plan the “Pension Restoration Plan for NiSource Inc. and Affiliates,” and broadened the plan to include all employees of the Company and its affiliates whose benefits under the applicable tax-qualified pension plan are limited by sections 415 and 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Pension Restoration Plan provides for a supplemental retirement benefit equal to the difference between (i) the benefit a participant would have received under the pension plan had such benefit not been limited by section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code and reduced by deferrals into the Company’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, minus (ii) the actual benefit received under the pension plan. Messrs. Neale, Miller and Vajda and Ms. Zimmerman became participants in the Pension Restoration Plan effective January 1, 2004. Messrs. Grossman, O’Donnell and Skaggs were participants in the Pension Restoration Plan prior to 2004. Benefits earned under the Pension Restoration Plan are used to offset amounts earned under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The Pension Restoration Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

      Effective January 1, 2004, the Company assumed sponsorship of the Savings Restoration Plan for Columbia Energy Group, renamed the plan the “Savings Restoration Plan for NiSource Inc. and Affiliates,” and broadened the plan to include all key management employees of the Company and its affiliates. The revised Savings Restoration Plan provides for a supplemental benefit equal to the difference between (i) the benefit an employee would have received under the NiSource Inc. Retirement Savings Plan had such benefit not been limited by sections 415 and 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code and reduced by his deferrals into the Company’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, minus (ii) the actual benefit he received under

the Savings Plan. Messrs. Neale, Miller and Vajda and Ms. Zimmerman became eligible to participate in the Savings Restoration Plan effective January 1, 2004. Messrs. Grossman, O’Donnell and Skaggs were participants in the Savings Restoration Plan prior to 2004.

Change in Control and Termination Agreements

      The Company has entered into Change in Control and Termination Agreements with Mr. Skaggs and the other Named Officers (except Messrs. Helms and Vajda). The Company believes that these agreements are in the best interests of the stockholders, to insure that in the event of extraordinary events, totally independent judgment is enhanced to maximize stockholder value. The agreements can be terminated on three years’ notice and provide for the payment of specified benefits if the executive terminates employment for good reason or is terminated by the Company for any reason other than good cause within 24 months following certain changes in control. Each of these agreements also provides for payment of these benefits if the executive voluntarily terminates employment for any reason during a specified one-month period within 24 months following a change in control. No amounts will be payable under the agreements if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for good cause (as defined in the agreements).

      The agreements provide for the payment of two or three times the executive’s current annual base salary and target incentive bonus compensation. The executive will also receive a pro rata portion of the executive’s targeted incentive bonus for the year of termination. The executive would also receive benefits from the Company that would otherwise be earned during the applicable two or three-year period following the executive’s termination under the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and qualified retirement plans. With respect to Messrs. Skaggs and O’Donnell, the Company will increase the payment made to the executive as necessary to compensate the executive on an after-tax basis for any parachute excise tax imposed on the payment of amounts under the contracts. However, any payment to Mr. Grossman under his change in control agreement will be capped at the maximum amount allowed that avoids any excess parachute payment and related excise tax.

      During the applicable two or three-year period following the executive’s termination, the executive and his or her spouse or other dependents will continue to be covered by applicable health or welfare plans of the Company. If the executive dies during such two or three-year period following the executive’s termination, all amounts payable to the executive will be paid to a named beneficiary. In the event of a change in control, all stock options, restricted stock awards and contingent stock awards which have been granted to each of the Named Officers (including the Chief Executive Officer) under the Company’s Long-term Incentive Plan will immediately vest.

      Pursuant to a letter agreement, dated March 15, 2005 between the Company and Mr. Helms, in the event of a change in control of the Company prior to April 1, 2006, Mr. Helms would receive a payment of one year of base pay and targeted bonus and all of his long-term incentive plan grants would vest. Each month from April 1, 2006 until April 1, 2007, if a change of control occurs during that period, the amount payable to Mr. Helms under this change in control would increase by one month, capped at a total possible payment of two years of base pay and targeted bonus. Any payment under this change in control would be in lieu of any benefit under the NiSource Executive Severance Policy.

      On July 15, 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with Ms. Zimmerman which provided for an additional retirement benefit in the event Ms. Zimmerman’s employment with the Company terminated for reasons other than her involuntary termination for good cause. In such event, Ms. Zimmerman’s retirement benefit under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan would be computed upon the assumption that her first day of service was January 1, 1981 and would be reduced by the amount of her retirement benefit that she is entitled to under the pension plan of her previous employer. Pursuant to her August 17, 2005 letter agreement, the Company paid Ms. Zimmerman a special retirement bonus of $100,000, a lump sum severance payment of $325,000, and $6,620, which equals 130% of 52 weeks of COBRA continuation coverage premiums. Under her retirement agreement, Ms. Zimmerman also received a lump sum payment for her accrued and unused vacation through her separation date with the Company. Pursuant to the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and Pension Restoration Plan, as modified by her 2002 letter

agreement, Ms. Zimmerman elected to receive her retirement benefit under the plans in a lump sum. Pursuant to the terms of her TARSAP grants, Ms. Zimmerman vested in a pro-rata portion of the contingent stock which was a part of such grants (85.71% — with respect to the 2003 grant and 66.67% — with respect to the 2004 grant).

      In connection with Mr. Miller’s resignation, the Company paid him a lump sum payment of $175,000 plus $18,683, which equals 130% of 52 weeks of COBRA continuation coverage premiums in lieu of any continued medical, dental, vision or other welfare benefits offered by the Company. Under his separation agreement, Mr. Miller also received a lump sum payment for his accrued and unused vacation through his separation date with the Company. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Miller vested in all contingent shares, restricted stock and stock options vesting on or before September 2, 2005. Mr. Miller forfeited all such shares and options which had not vested on September 2, 2005.

      In connection with Mr. Neale’s retirement, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Neale governing his service as a non-employee director and Chairman of the Company’s board of directors in lieu of any other benefits and compensation provided to other non-employee directors. Pursuant to the compensation arrangement, for an initial term from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2007, Mr. Neale will receive (i) compensation of $50,000 per calendar quarter, (ii) medical and dental coverage for himself and his spouse comparable to the coverage provided to the Company’s senior executives, provided that he pays the active group rate payable by other senior executives, (iii) reimbursement of the costs for an annual physical examination at the Mayo Clinic, (vi) an individual membership in the Chicago Club, and (v) reimbursement for financial advisory services similar to those being made available to him during his employment. In addition, under the compensation arrangement, for purposes of vesting and determining any lapse of restrictions on awards under the LTIP, Mr. Neale will receive service credit under the Long Term Incentive Plan until such time as all awards granted thereunder have vested.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

      Peter V. Fazio, Jr., an executive officer of the Company, is a partner in Schiff Hardin LLP, a law firm. The Company pays Schiff Hardin LLP a retainer fee of $60,000 per month for Mr. Fazio’s services as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company. Unlike other executive officers, Mr. Fazio is not an employee of the Company, and he is not eligible to participate in or receive awards under any of the Company’s bonus, long-term incentive, pension, health insurance or other benefit plans.

      Mr. Peter McCausland, age 55, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Airgas, Inc., a distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding equipment and safety supplies, a position he has held since 1987. In addition, Mr. McCausland holds in excess of 10% of the outstanding stock of Airgas, Inc. The Company and its subsidiaries use certain of the products sold by Airgas, Inc. in their business operations from time to time and purchase such products from Airgas, Inc. in the ordinary course of business on standard terms and conditions. In 2005, the Company’s total purchases of products from Airgas, Inc. were approximately $428,904.

      In connection with Mr. Neale’s retirement, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Neale governing his service as a non-employee director and Chairman of the Company’s board of directors in lieu of any other benefits and compensation provided to other non-employee directors. For more information on Mr. Neale’s agreement, please see information under Change in Control and Termination Agreements above.

PROPOSAL II — RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

      The Audit Committee of the board of directors appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP, 111 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, as independent auditors to examine the Company’s accounts for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, and the board of directors approved the appointment. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the meeting, will be given an opportunity to make a statement if he so desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

      The board of directors and its Audit Committee consider Deloitte & Touche LLP well qualified to serve as the Company’s independent public accountants. The Audit Committee recommends ratification of such selection by the stockholders.

      Although action by stockholders for this matter is not required, the board of directors and the Audit Committee believe that it is appropriate to seek stockholder ratification of this appointment in order to provide stockholders a means of communicating the stockholders’ level of satisfaction with the performance of the independent public accountants and their level of independence from management. If the proposal is not approved and the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP is not ratified by the stockholders, the Audit Committee will take this into consideration and will reconsider the appointment.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006.

PROPOSAL III — BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL

TO DECLASSIFY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Article V of our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the board of directors be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with members of each class serving three-year terms. The board of directors has adopted a resolution, subject to stockholder approval, approving and declaring the advisability of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the board of directors. The proposal would provide for the annual election of all directors commencing with the 2007 annual meeting. The proposed amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation are set forth in Annex A, with deletions indicated by strikeout and additions indicated by underline.

      If the stockholders approve this proposal, the terms for all of our current directors would end at the 2007 annual meeting and any director appointed as a result of a newly created directorship or to fill a vacancy would also hold office until the 2007 annual meeting. In addition, if the proposal is approved, each director whose term would not have otherwise expired at the annual meeting in 2007 will tender his or her resignation to be effective at the meeting of annual meeting in 2007. Beginning with the 2007 annual meeting, directors would be elected for one-year terms at each annual meeting.

      If the stockholders do not approve this proposal, the board of directors will remain classified, with the directors elected at the Annual Meeting for a three-year term, and all other directors would continue in office for the remaining term of their class to which they were elected or appointed.

      The classified structure of our board of directors (or our corporate predecessor) has been in place since April 12, 1950. Classified boards have been widely adopted and accepted, and they have a long history in corporate law. Proponents of classified boards assert they provide continuity and stability in the management of the business and affairs of a company because a majority of directors always have prior experience as directors of the company. Proponents further assert that classified boards may enhance stockholder value by forcing a potential acquirer to negotiate directly with the board of a target company because the acquirer is unable to replace the entire board in a single election. However, many investors and others have begun to view classified boards as having the effect of reducing the accountability of directors. They argue that the election of directors is the primary means for stockholders to influence corporate governance policies and that a classified board structure reduces the accountability of directors because stockholders are unable to evaluate and elect all directors on an annual basis.

      Our Corporate Governance Committee and the full board of directors have considered carefully the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining a classified board structure. In addition, the board took into consideration the fact that in 2005 stockholders holding 54% of the Company’s outstanding stock voted in favor of a stockholder proposal requesting that directors take the steps necessary to declassify the board. After this review, the board of directors, upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee, has determined that it is an appropriate time to propose declassifying the board.

      The board of directors has already approved amendments to our bylaws that, upon approval of this proposal, would make them consistent with the amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation contained in Exhibit B.

The affirmative vote of a majority of all outstanding shares of Common Stock is required for approval of this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PROVIDE FOR ANNUAL ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.

PROPOSAL IV — STOCKHOLDER’S MAJORITY VOTE PROPOSAL

      The Massachusetts Laborer’s Pension Fund (the “Fund”), 14 New England Executive Park, Suite 200, P.O. Box 4000, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-0900, has requested that the Company include the following proposal and supporting statement in this proxy statement for the Company’s 2006 Annual Meeting. The Fund is the beneficial owner of approximately 2,333 shares of the Company’s common stock. The board of directors of the Company is not in favor of the adoption of the proposal and asks that you read through the Company’s response, which follows the Fund’s proposal and supporting statement.

      The proposal and supporting statement, in the form that each was submitted to the Company by the Fund, are set forth below:

Resolved:

      That the shareholders of NiSource, Inc. (“Company”) hereby request that the board of directors initiate the appropriate process to amend the Company’s governance documents (certificate of incorporation or bylaws) to provide that director nominees shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast at an annual meeting of shareholders.

Supporting Statement:

      Our Company is incorporated in Delaware. Delaware law provides that a company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of votes that shall be necessary for the transaction of any business, including the election of directors. (DGCL, Title 8, Chapter 1, Subchapter VII, Section 216). The law provides that if the level of voting support necessary for a specific action is not specified in a corporation’s certificate or bylaws, directors “shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.”

      Our Company presently uses the plurality vote standard to elect directors. This proposal requests that the Board initiate a change in the Company’s director election vote standard to provide that nominees for the board of directors must receive a majority of the vote cast in order to be elected or re-elected to the Board.

      We believe that a majority vote standard in director elections would give shareholders a meaningful role in the director election process. Under the Company’s current standard, a nominee in a director election can be elected with as little as a single affirmative vote, even if a substantial majority of the votes cast are “withheld” from that nominee. The majority vote standard would require that a director receive a majority of the vote cast in order to be elected to the Board.

      The majority vote proposal received high levels of support last year, winning majority support at Advanced Micro Devices, Freeport McMoRan, Marathon Oil, March and McClennan, Office Depot, Raytheon, and others. Leading proxy advisory firms recommended voting in favor of the proposal.

      Some companies have adopted board governance policies requiring director nominees that fail to receive majority support from shareholders to tender their resignations to the board. We believe that these policies are inadequate for they are based on continued use of the plurality standard and would allow director nominees to

be elected despite only minimal shareholder support. We contend that changing the legal standard to a majority vote is a superior solution that merits shareholder support.

      Our proposal is not intended to limit the judgment of the Board in crafting the requested governance change. For instance, the Board should address the status of incumbent director nominees who fail to receive a majority vote under a majority vote standard and whether a plurality vote standard may be appropriate in director elections when the number of director nominees exceeds the available board seats.

      We urge your support for this important director election reform.

Statement of the Company Against the Majority Vote Proposal:

      Election of directors by plurality vote has long been the accepted system among companies comparable to the Company and remains the default system under Delaware law. Accordingly, the rules governing plurality voting are well established and understood.

      Over the past decade, had the Company implemented a majority vote standard, it would have had no effect on the outcome of our election process. Such a standard is not necessary to improve the Company’s independence or corporate governance processes. Every director nominee during the past ten years has received the affirmative vote of more than 93% percent of the shares of stock entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting of stockholders. In addition, the Company has had a history of electing, by a plurality vote, strong and independent boards of directors, consisting mostly of directors who have been “independent” within the meaning of criteria of the New York Stock Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission, independent rating agencies and corporate governance watchdogs.

      The proposed majority vote standard presents complex legal and practical issues that the proposal does not address. For example, under the majority vote standard, it would be possible for an entire slate of candidates to fail to receive the requisite vote. Under Delaware law and the Company’s bylaws, the occurrence of this event would permit the prior director(s) to remain in office until a successor is elected and qualified. As a result, an individual who no longer wished to remain on the board, or an individual the board desired to replace, would be permitted to remain in office. If the individual chose to resign, Delaware law and the Company’s bylaws would permit the remaining board members to fill the vacancy. Similarly, the proposal could prove impractical and especially disruptive in a situation in which a competing slate of directors is nominated for election, because of the possibility that the division of votes could result in no candidate from either slate receiving the requisite vote.

      These alternatives would not reflect the views of stockholders who have chosen to exercise their right to vote for the directors of their choice at the annual meeting. Adoption of the proposed majority vote standard could result in a less democratic process than the election of directors by plurality vote.

      Additionally, the proposal may have the unintended consequence of unnecessarily increasing the cost of soliciting stockholder votes. The Company may need to implement aggressive telephone solicitation, a second mailing, or other vote-getting strategy to obtain the required vote. The end result may be increased spending by the Company in routine elections. We do not believe this would be a good use of stockholder assets.

      The board of directors has considered carefully the advantages and disadvantages of adopting a majority vote standard, including the fact that in 2005 stockholders holding 41% of the Company’s outstanding stock voted in favor of a stockholder proposal substantially similar to the one presented here. While the board of directors recognizes that a majority voting standard for the election of directors has become a popular issue in recent years, has been receiving increasing press coverage and scholarly debate, and has the support of a number of the Company’s stockholders, the board believes that the proposal is premature. The American Bar Association Section of Business Law Committee on Corporate Laws has undertaken an analysis of legal issues relating to voting for directors, including a majority vote requirement. On January 17, 2006, the ABA committee released a preliminary report proposing possible amendments to the Model Business Corporation Act (“MBCA”) that would help address the majority voting issue. In that report, the ABA recommended that plurality voting remain the statutory default standard, but recommended revisions to the MBCA that would allow a corporation to “opt-out” of the plurality standard and would allow the adoption of a bylaw

provision implementing a majority vote standard. Under the ABA committee’s proposal, any director who did not receive the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast would be permitted to serve only for 90 days following such election. The ABA report is still preliminary, and the ABA has requested comment to its proposal prior to approval.

      In addition, there is also a working group of thirteen major companies and certain stockholder groups which has been formed to study issues related to the majority vote standard. This working group is expected to release recommendations prior to the 2006 proxy season, but had not yet done so at the time of the printing of this proxy statement. It is anticipated that the result of this work and the final proposal of the ABA will help to refine best practices related to voting for the election of directors and alternative proposals for modifying the current system of plurality voting. It is also the hope of the board that these studies and groups will help better address the problems and unanticipated consequences associated with the Majority Vote Proposal. Company management and the Board intend to follow and evaluate the progress of these and other groups and to carefully consider whether changes to the current system are appropriate and in the best interests of the stockholders and the Company. Until that time, however, the board of directors does not believe that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to take action to change the current voting standard for election of directors. The board of directors, therefore, recommends that the stockholders vote “against” the Majority Vote Proposal.

Votes Required

      Approval of the Majority Vote Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote.

THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “AGAINST” THE MAJORITY VOTE PROPOSAL.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

      The Company’s Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Rolland, Foster, Thompson and Young and Dr. Woo. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as defined under the applicable NYSE rules and meets the additional independence standard set forth by the board of directors. Each of the members of the Audit Committee also is “financially literate” for purposes of applicable NYSE rules. The board of directors, after substantial deliberation and a careful review of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, has designated Ian M. Rolland, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, as the “audit committee financial expert.”

      The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche, LLP, the Company’s independent auditor, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61. The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche, LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche, LLP its independence. The Audit Committee has considered whether Deloitte & Touche, LLP’s provision of other non-audit services to the Company is compatible with maintaining Deloitte & Touche, LLP’s independence.

      In reliance on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

      Upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Company has engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

March      , 2006

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FEES

      The following table represents the aggregate fees for professional audit services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s independent auditor, for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, and fees billed for other services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP during those periods.

      Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. During fiscal year 2005, the Audit Committee approved all audit, audit related and non-audit services provided to the Company by Deloitte & Touche LLP prior to management engaging the auditor for those purposes. The Audit Committee’s current practice is to consider for pre-approval annually all audit, audit related and non-audit services proposed to be provided by our independent auditors for the fiscal year. Additional fees for other proposed audit-related or non-audit services which have been properly presented to the Pre-Approval Subcommittee of the Audit Committee (consisting of Ian M. Rolland) by the Vice President and Controller of the Company (not within the scope of the approved audit engagement) may be considered and, if appropriate, approved by the Pre-Approval Subcommittee of the Audit Committee, subject to later ratification by the full Audit Committee. In no event, however, will (i) any non-audit related service be presented or approved that would result in the independent auditor no longer being considered independent under the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules or (ii) any service be presented or approved by the Pre-Approval Subcommittee the fees for which are estimated to exceed $100,000. In making its recommendation to appoint Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent auditor, the Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP is compatible with maintaining that firm’s independence.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

      The following table sets forth certain information for all equity compensation plans and individual compensation arrangements (whether with employees or non-employees, such as directors), in effect as of December 31, 2005.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR 2007 ANNUAL MEETING

      Any holder of common stock who wishes to bring any business before the 2007 annual meeting must file a notice of the holder’s intent to do so no earlier than January 8, 2007 and no later than February 7, 2007. The notice must include a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made. Any holder of common stock who wishes to submit a proposal to be included in the Company’s proxy materials in connection with the 2007 annual meeting must submit the proposal to the Corporate Secretary of the Company by December 4, 2006. The holder submitting the proposal must have owned common stock having a market value of at least $2,000 for at least one year prior to submitting the proposal and represent to the Company that the holder intends to hold those shares of common stock through the date of the 2007 annual meeting.

      Any holder of common stock who wishes to nominate a director at the 2007 annual meeting must file a notice of the nomination no earlier than January 8, 2007 and no later than February 7, 2007. The Company’s by-laws require that a notice to nominate an individual as a director must include the name of each nominee proposed, the number and class of shares of each class of stock of the Company beneficially owned by the nominee, such other information concerning the nominee as would be required under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of the nominee, the nominee’s signed consent to serve as a director of the Company if elected, the nominating stockholder’s name and address, and the number and class of shares of each class of stock beneficially owned by the nominating stockholder.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

      Based solely upon its review of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company believes that all of its directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of its common stock filed all such reports on a timely basis during 2005, except as follows: each of Drs. Beering and Woo and Messrs. Foster, McCracken, Rolland, Thompson, Welsh and Young filed one late Form 4 with respect to one transaction on August 19, 2005, relating to the reinvestment of dividends in respect of restricted stock units held by such directors pursuant to the Company’s Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan.

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

      Attention is directed to the financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005. A copy of the Annual Report has been sent, or is concurrently being sent, to all stockholders of record as of March 14, 2006.

AVAILABILITY OF FORM 10-K

      A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules, but without exhibits, is contained within the Company’s Annual Report which has been sent, or is concurrently being sent, to you and will be provided without charge to any stockholder or beneficial owner of the Company’s shares upon written request to Gary W. Pottorff, Corporate Secretary, NiSource Inc., 801 E. 86th Avenue, Merrillville, Indiana 46410 and is also available at the Company’s website at www.nisource.com.

OTHER BUSINESS

      The board of directors does not intend to bring any other matters before the Annual Meeting and does not know of any matters that will be brought before the meeting by others. If any matters properly come before the meeting it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters.

      Please vote your shares by telephone, through the internet or by promptly marking, dating, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card.

Dated: April 3, 2006

Exhibit A

Independence Standards

      No director of the Company shall qualify as “independent” unless the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company).

      In addition, a director of the Company shall not be deemed “independent” if:

Exhibit B

Proposed Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation

(Additions are underlined; deletions are struck-out)

Section 5.A.1 of the Certificate of Incorporation to be amended as follows:

      The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than nine (9) or more than twelve (12) persons, the exact number to be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board for adoption), provided, however, this provision shall not act to limit Board size in the event the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock are entitled to elect directors to the exclusion of holders of Common Stock. The directors shall be classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, as may be provided in the manner specified in the Bylaws, Class I Directors to hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2001, Class II Directors to hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2002, and Class III Directors to hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2003, with the members of each class to hold office until their successors areEach director who is serving as a director on the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders following such date and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, notwithstanding that such director may have been elected for a term that extended beyond the date of such next annual meeting of stockholders. At each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation after the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at thatelected at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at theuntil the next annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their electionand until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

Section 5.A.2 of the Certificate of Incorporation needs to be amended as follows:

      Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as otherwise provided by law, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock shall have the right (to the exclusion of holders of Common Stock) to elect directors of the Corporation pursuant to the provisions of Article IV or any resolution adopted pursuant thereto, the election of such directors of the Corporation shall be governed by the terms and provisions of Article IV or said resolutions and such directors so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Subsection A.2 of Article V and shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the first year following their election or, if such right of the holders of the Preferred Stock is terminated, for a term expiring in accordance with the provisions of Article IV or such resolutions.

      Section 5.A.3 of the Certificate of Incorporation needs to be amended as follows:

      Newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, acting at a regular or special meeting. If any applicable provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Article IV or any resolution adopted pursuant to Article IV expressly confers power on stockholders to fill such a directorship at a special meeting of stockholders, such a directorship may be filled at such a meeting only by the affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the combined voting powers of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally; provided, however, that when (a) pursuant to the provisions of Article IV or any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have the right (to the exclusion of holders of the Common Stock), and have exercised such right, to elect directors and (b) Delaware General Corporation Law, Article IV or any such resolution expressly confers on stockholders voting rights as aforesaid, if the directorship to be filled had been occupied by a director elected by the holders of Common Stock, then such directorship shall be filled by an 80 percent vote as aforesaid, but if such directorship to be filled had been elected by holders of Preferred Stock, then such directorship shall be filled in accordance with Article IV or the applicable

resolutions adopted under Article IV. Any director elected in accordance with the two preceding sentences shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified unless such director was elected by holders of Preferred Stock (acting to the exclusion of the holders of Common Stock), in which case such director’s term shall expire in accordance with Article IV or the applicable resolutions adopted pursuant to Article IV. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director, except as otherwise provided in Article IV or the applicable resolutions adopted pursuant to Article IV with respect to directorships created pursuant to one or more series of Preferred Stock.

This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of NiSource Inc.
for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, May 10, 2006

You can now access your NiSource Inc. account online.

Access your NiSource Inc. stockholder account online via Investor ServiceDirect^® (ISD).

Mellon Investor Services LLC, Transfer Agent for NiSource Inc., now makes it easy and convenient to get current information on your shareholder account.

Visit us on the web at http://www.melloninvestor.com

For Technical Assistance Call 1-877-978-7778 between 9am-7pm
Monday-Friday Eastern Time

 

Vote by Internet or Telephone or Mail

Internet and telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time
the day prior to annual meeting day.

Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone,
you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card.

You can view the Annual Report and Proxy Statement
on the internet at www.nisource.com