MERRILLVILLE, Ind., March 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), one of the nation's largest fully regulated energy companies operating locally under the Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands, today joined the Environmental Protection Agency's Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program as a founding member. The voluntary partnership program was launched today at the Global Methane Forum in Washington, D.C.

NiSource's well-established system modernization plans outline more than $20 billion in long-term infrastructure investments across its seven natural gas utilities. These planned investments, and the replacement of more than 1,700 miles of priority pipe over the past five years, are designed to systematically improve safety and reliability for customers while reducing emissions. Through the five-year Methane Challenge Program commitment, NiSource estimates it will further reduce methane emissions by more than 300 million cubic feet.

"Building a safer, more reliable, cleaner and affordable energy future is core to NiSource's sustainability goals and we're proud to be a founding member alongside other industry leaders," NiSource President and CEO Joseph Hamrock said. "Through the best management practices outlined in the Methane Challenge Program, we are committed to further reducing emissions while improving safety and reliability for our customers and communities."

The Methane Challenge Program is an integral part of the EPA's ongoing commitment to address methane emissions and global climate change. The program provides a framework through which oil and gas companies can make and track commitments to reduce methane emissions.

The EPA noted that this new program has the capability to comprehensively and transparently reduce emissions and realize significant voluntary reductions in a quick, flexible, cost-effective way.

About NiSource
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across seven states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, NiSource's more than 7,500 employees are focused on safely delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers and communities we serve. NiSource has been designated a World's Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute since 2012 and is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability - North America Index. Additional information about NiSource, its investments in modern infrastructure and systems, its commitments and its local brands can be found at www.nisource.com. NI-F

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include statement regarding NiSource's or any of its subsidiaries' business, performance, infrastructure investments and growth. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations discussed in this release include, but are not limited to, NiSource's debt obligations; any changes in NiSource's credit rating; NiSource's ability to execute its growth strategy; changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions; pension funding obligations; economic regulation and the impact of regulatory rate reviews; compliance with environmental laws and the costs of associated liabilities; fluctuations in demand from residential and commercial customers; economic conditions of certain industries; the price of commodities and related transportation costs; the reliability of customers and suppliers to fulfill their payment and contractual obligations; potential impairments of goodwill or definite-lived intangible assets; changes in taxation and accounting principles; potential incidents and other operating risks associated with our business; the impact of an aging infrastructure; the impact of climate change; potential cyber-attacks; risks associated with construction and natural gas cost and supply; extreme weather conditions; the ability of subsidiaries to generate cash; uncertainties related to the expected benefits of the separation of Columbia Pipeline Group and other matters set forth in the "Risk Factors" section in NiSource's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NiSource expressly disclaims any duty to update, supplement or amend any of its forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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SOURCE NiSource Inc.