NiSource Highlights Progress in 2017 Integrated Annual Report

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., April 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Narrowing everything a utility delivers for stakeholders in a year into one easy-to-digest report is not simple.

But we've tried – by releasing NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI)'s 2017 Integrated Annual Report.

The report–and additional detail available on our website–highlights our traditional annual report to stockholders and our sustainability efforts 

Think of it as an exhibit to customers, stakeholders, employees and anyone else interested in what goes on at a natural gas and electric utility that serves nearly 4 million customers.

"Our strong performance last year reinforced the value we deliver for our stakeholders," said Joe Hamrock, NiSource president and CEO. "The Integrated Annual Report underscores our commitment to our customers, the communities we serve, the environment, our employees and our investors."

Highlights of the report include:

Safety. Last year we registered a record level of safety performance for our employees. And, we opened two more state-of-the-art training facilities, part of our program to modernize training with new technology and methods. 

Investment. We improved the safety, reliability and environmental performance of our systems by investing a record $1.7 billion in capital across our footprint. This includes replacing 377 miles of priority gas pipe and 1,300 electric poles. We're targeting a capital spend up to $1.8 billion in 2018.

Environment. We're well on our way to achieving our goal of reducing our electric generation greenhouse gas emissions and pipeline methane emissions, to 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

Service. Customer Satisfaction scores improved across all our companies. Notably, our Virginia subsidiary was recognized by J.D. Power as one of the nation's top gas-only brands, and our electric business in Indiana was recognized as one of the nation's most improved brands.

Financial Performance. We exceeded our expected total shareholder return and posted strong net operating earnings per share.

This is the second year NiSource has issued a single report highlighting both our financial results and our sustainability performance. Read the full report and supplemental information and data at www.nisource.com/sustainability.

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 approximately 8,000 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 and was named by Forbes magazine as the top-rated utility among America's Best Large Employers in 2017. Additional information about NiSource, its investments in modern infrastructure and systems, its commitments and its local brands can be found at http://www.nisource.com. Follow us at http://www.facebook.com/nisource, http://www.linkedin.com/company/nisource or http://www.twitter.com/nisourceinc. NI-F

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. 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. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include statements and expectations regarding NiSource's business, performance, growth, commitments, investment opportunities, and planned, identified, infrastructure or utility investments. 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, plans, expectations and strategy discussed in this press release include, among other things, 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; NiSource's ability to obtain expected financial or regulatory outcomes; any damage to NiSource's reputation; compliance with environmental laws and the costs of associated liabilities; fluctuations in demand from residential and commercial customers; economic conditions of certain industries; the success of NIPSCO's electric generation strategy; the price of energy commodities and related transportation costs or an inability to obtain an adequate, reliable and cost-effective fuel supply to meet customer demands; 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; construction risks and natural gas costs and supply risks; extreme weather conditions; the attraction and retention of a qualified work force; advances in technology; the ability of NiSource's subsidiaries to generate cash; tax liabilities associated with the separation of Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc.; NiSource's ability to manage new initiatives and organizational changes; the performance of third-party suppliers and service providers; the availability of insurance to cover all significant losses and other matters set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" section of NiSource's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. In addition, dividends are subject to board approval. NiSource expressly disclaims any duty to update, supplement or amend any of its forward-looking statements contained in this press 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.