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Gary L. Neale Receives AGA Distinguished Service Award

Posted on: Monday, 8 May 2006, 06:04 CDT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Gas Association (AGA) presented Gary L. Neale, chairman of NiSource, Inc. of Merrillville, Indiana, with the 2006 AGA Distinguished Service Award at its meeting here Saturday, May 6th. This award is AGA's highest honor, given annually to individuals who have made outstanding and significant contributions to the natural gas industry.

"Gary Neale has been one of the best friends and most visible advocates of the natural gas industry," said David Parker, CEO and president of the American Gas Association. "Since 1990, his commitment to AGA and its member companies has been unwavering and has resulted in many significant achievements."

Mr. Neale has worked in the energy industry for more than 30 years, the last 13 of which have been in his present leadership position with NiSource. He has been a valued and active member of AGA's board of directors since 1990 and during that time he has served on a variety of board committees including the finance committee, executive committee and strategic planning committee. In 2000, Neale served as chairman of the AGA board of directors.

While AGA Chairman, Neale carried out an aggressive program to strengthen AGA's focus on programs and services that provided the highest value for the association's members.

Among his many accomplishments as AGA chairman, Neale: * Launched and tirelessly promoted the landmark American Gas Foundation study, "Fueling the Future," which shows the vital role natural gas can plan in improving the environment, national security and economic growth. * Encouraged increased research efforts on distributed generation, including studies that assisted member companies in determining if this technology supports the long-term need of their customers and is compatible with their own future strategic direction. * Led industry efforts to ensure that American natural gas consumers continue to have access to domestic supplies of natural gas, and natural gas remains a key source in the country's energy mix. * Provided constructive input to some of the industry's most pressing issues, including increasing the supply of domestic natural gas.

"The natural gas industry is indeed fortunate to have Gary's enthusiastic, active and tireless support during this critical period in its history, and we look forward to his continued vision and leadership," said Parker.

NiSource Inc. , based in Merrillville, Ind., is a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution, as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution. NiSource operating companies deliver energy to 3.8 million customers located within the high- demand energy corridor stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England. Information about NiSource and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at http://www.nisource.com/.

The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents 197 local energy utility companies that deliver natural gas to more than 56 million homes, businesses and industries throughout the United States. AGA's members' account for roughly 83 percent of all natural gas delivered by the nation's local natural gas distribution companies. AGA is an advocate for local natural gas utility companies and provides a broad range of programs and services for member natural gas pipelines, marketers, gatherers, international gas companies and industry associates. Natural gas meets nearly one-fourth of the United States' energy needs. For more information, please visit http://www.aga.org/.

American Gas Association

CONTACT: Daphne Magnuson of American Gas Association, +1-202-824-7205

Web site: http://www.aga.org/http://www.nisource.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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