MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) announced today

that natural gas residential customers can expect an increase in their winter heating bills this

season compared to previous years. Based on current market projections and assuming normal

winter weather, bills for natural gas residential customers are estimated to be 16 percent higher

than last winter.

Each year, NIPSCO and other Indiana energy companies provide a forecast for home heating bills

during the upcoming winter months. Projections are based on market forecasts, supply trends and

storage levels, as well as normal weather forecasts. If temperatures are colder or warmer than

normal, usage amounts and bills could differ.

Over the course of the upcoming five-month winter heating season, which is November through

March, NIPSCO’s average natural gas residential customers using 625 therms could expect to pay

approximately $665 in total over the five-month period. This compares to $575 during the previous

winter and it represents about a $90 difference (16 percent) or $18.00 per month on average from

November to March.

There are two primary

components of natural

gas bills – the cost of

delivering natural gas to

customers and the cost

of natural gas itself. For

the cost of natural gas

itself – which is largely

dependent upon market

prices – NIPSCO does

not control these costs.

The company passes

them directly through to customers with no markup and does not profit on that portion of the bill.

Natural gas commodity costs must be reviewed and approved by the IURC. 

To help ensure customers receive the best price for natural gas, NIPSCO will purchase gas in the

market from a variety of supply sources throughout the year. Gas storage is also used to help offset

market price volatility by purchasing gas throughout the summer months and putting that gas into

storage for use during the winter months. Purchasing supplies over time is expected to level out the

peaks and valleys of natural gas prices and provide more price stability for our customers.

NIPSCO’s gas distribution system consists of two on-system storage facilities and connects to

seven interstate pipelines providing access to major North American supply basins.

Managing costs to ensure the delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses without

compromising safety, reliability and integrity is vital, and NIPSCO aims to improve its systems and

implement technologies to create long-term efficiencies for the benefit of customers.

Billing and Payment Options

Customers who are experiencing financial difficulties are also encouraged to

visit NIPSCO.com/Assistance or call NIPSCO’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-464-7726 as soon

as possible to determine what options might be available for their situation. Available programs

include:

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): LIHEAP support is available to

households that are at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income (SMI). Customers

can learn more and find out if they qualify at eap.ihcda.in.gov or call 2-1-1. Online and paper

applications are available to the public. The application deadline is 5 p.m. EST April 20,

2026.

• Customer Assistance for Residential Energy (CARE) Discount Program: In addition to the

assistance available through LIHEAP, the NIPSCO CARE program is designed to provide

further bill reductions to LIHEAP-approved customers. Once enrolled in LIHEAP, customers

are automatically enrolled in the program, and reductions range from 15 to 32 percent,

depending on the same criteria used by the state in determining the level of assistance.

• Township Trustees: A limited amount of energy assistance funds are available through

local Township Trustee offices. NIPSCO customers are encouraged to contact their local

Township Trustee to see what help may be available.

• Flexible Payment Plans: NIPSCO has expanded its payment plan agreements to offer its

most flexible payment plans to customers that need financial support, including three-, six-

and 12-month plans. Customers can learn more and enroll at NIPSCO.com/PaymentPlans.

• Budget Plan: A free service to all NIPSCO customers to help manage their monthly energy

bills by spreading out gas costs over an entire year. Learn more at NIPSCO.com/budget.

For more information on billing options and payment assistance, visit NIPSCO.com/assistance.

Customers looking to quickly find information 24 hours a day, seven days a week can use NIPSCO’s

Chat feature located in the bottom right-hand corner of its website (NIPSCO.com) or via the mobile

app. Customers may also contact the NIPSCO Customer Care Center at 1-800-4-NIPSCO Monday-

Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.

Energy- and Money-Saving Programs

Usage makes up the largest portion of the average energy bill. Because of this, NIPSCO offers

energy-efficiency programs to help manage usage and, in turn, bills. A full list of programs, rebates,

and tips available to NIPSCO customers can be found at NIPSCO.com/SaveEnergy.

About NIPSCO:

Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), with headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana, has

proudly served the energy needs of northern Indiana for more than 100 years. As Indiana’s largest natural gas

distribution company and the second-largest electric distribution company, NIPSCO serves approximately

900,000 natural gas and 500,000 electric customers across 32 counties. NIPSCO is part of NiSource’s (NYSE:

NI) six regulated utility companies. NiSource is one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the

United States, serving approximately 3.8 million natural gas and electric customers through its local

Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. More information about NIPSCO and NiSource is available at

NIPSCO.com and NiSource.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the

Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of

1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Investors and prospective investors should understand that many

factors govern whether any forward-looking statement contained herein will be or can be realized. Any one of

those factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking

statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements concerning projections and

estimates related to natural gas residential costs, operating system improvement, implementation of

technologies, and commodity pricing. Expressions of future goals and expectations and similar expressions,

including "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "aims," "seeks," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends,"

"believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "targets," "forecast," and "continue," reflecting something other

than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are

based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that

actual results will not differ materially.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, forecasts, estimates and

expectations discussed in this Press Release include, those matters set forth in Item 1, "Business," Item 1A,

"Risk Factors" and Part II, Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results

of Operations," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and matters

set forth in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, some of which risks are beyond our control. All

forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements.

We undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any such obligation to, update or revise any forward-

looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or

changes to the future results over time or otherwise, except as required by law.