e10vq
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 001-16189
NiSource Inc.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
 
  35-2108964
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
801 East 86th Avenue    
Merrillville, Indiana
 
  46410
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(877) 647-5990
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ   No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.)
Yes o   No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
     
Large accelerated filer þ
  Accelerated filer o
 
   
Non-accelerated filer o
  Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o   No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value: 275,754,599 shares outstanding at September 30, 2009.

 


 

NISOURCE INC.
FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED September 30, 2009
Table of Contents
                 
            Page  
 
               
    Defined Terms     3  
 
               
PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION        
 
               
 
  Item 1.   Financial Statements - unaudited        
 
               
 
      Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited)     6  
 
               
 
      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)     7  
 
               
 
      Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited)     9  
 
               
 
      Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited)     10  
 
               
 
      Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)     11  
 
               
 
  Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     51  
 
               
 
  Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     88  
 
               
 
  Item 4.   Controls and Procedures     88  
 
               
PART II   OTHER INFORMATION        
 
               
 
  Item 1.   Legal Proceedings     89  
 
               
 
  Item 1A.   Risk Factors     91  
 
               
 
  Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     92  
 
               
 
  Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities     92  
 
               
 
  Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     92  
 
               
 
  Item 5.   Other Information     92  
 
               
 
  Item 6.   Exhibits     93  
 
               
 
  Signature         94  
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2

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Table of Contents

DEFINED TERMS
The following is a list of frequently used abbreviations or acronyms that are found in this report:
NiSource Subsidiaries and Affiliates
     
Bay State
  Bay State Gas Company
Capital Markets
  NiSource Capital Markets, Inc.
CER
  Columbia Energy Resources, Inc.
CGORC
  Columbia Gas of Ohio Receivables Corporation
CNR
  Columbia Natural Resources, Inc.
Columbia
  Columbia Energy Group
Columbia Energy Services
  Columbia Energy Services Corporation
Columbia Gulf
  Columbia Gulf Transmission Company
Columbia of Kentucky
  Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc.
Columbia of Maryland
  Columbia Gas of Maryland, Inc.
Columbia of Ohio
  Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.
Columbia of Pennsylvania
  Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Columbia of Virginia
  Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc.
Columbia Transmission
  Columbia Gas Transmission LLC
CORC
  Columbia of Ohio Receivables Corporation
Crossroads Pipeline
  Crossroads Pipeline Company
Granite State Gas
  Granite State Gas Transmission, Inc.
Hardy Storage
  Hardy Storage Company, L.L.C.
Kokomo Gas
  Kokomo Gas and Fuel Company
Lake Erie Land
  Lake Erie Land Company
Millennium
  Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C.
NARC
  NIPSCO Accounts Receivable Corporation
NDC Douglas Properties
  NDC Douglas Properties, Inc.
NiSource
  NiSource Inc.
NiSource Corporate Services
  NiSource Corporate Services Company
NiSource Development Company
  NiSource Development Company, Inc.
NiSource Finance
  NiSource Finance Corp.
Northern Indiana
  Northern Indiana Public Service Company
Northern Indiana Fuel and Light
  Northern Indiana Fuel and Light Company
Northern Utilities
  Northern Utilities, Inc.
NRC
  NIPSCO Receivables Corporation
PEI
  PEI Holdings, Inc.
Whiting Clean Energy
  Whiting Clean Energy, Inc.
Abbreviations
     
AFUDC
  Allowance for funds used during construction
Ameren
  Ameren Services Company
AOC
  Administrative Order by Consent
AOCI
  Accumulated other comprehensive income
ARRs
  Auction Revenue Rights
ASC
  Accounting Standards Codification
ASM
  Ancillary Services Market
BART
  Best Alternative Retrofit Technology
BBA
  British Banker Association
Bcf
  Billion cubic feet
Board
  Board of Directors
BPAE
  BP Alternative Energy North America Inc
BTMU
  The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, LTD.
CAA
  Clean Air Act
CAIR
  Clean Air Interstate Rule
CAMR
  Clean Air Mercury Rule
CARE
  Conservation and Ratemaking Efficiency
CCGT
  Combined Cycle Gas Turbine
CERCLA
  Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liability Act (also known as Superfund)
Chesapeake
  Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C.

3


Table of Contents

DEFINED TERMS (continued)
     
CPCN
  Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
Day 2
 
Began April 1, 2005 and refers to the operational control of the energy markets by MISO, including the dispatching of wholesale electricity and generation, managing transmission constraints, and managing the day-ahead, real-time and financial transmission rights markets
DOT
  United States Department of Transportation
DSM
  Demand Side Management
Dth
  Dekatherm
EBITDA
  Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
ECR
  Environmental Cost Recovery
ECRM
  Environmental Cost Recovery Mechanism
ECT
  Environmental cost tracker
EER
  Environmental Expense Recovery
EERM
  Environmental Expense Recovery Mechanism
EPA
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPS
  Earnings per share
FAC
  Fuel adjustment clause
FASB
  Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FTRs
  Financial Transmission Rights
GAAP
  U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GCA
  Gas cost adjustment
GCR
  Gas cost recovery
gwh
  Gigawatt hours
hp
  Horsepower
IDEM
  Indiana Department of Environmental Management
IURC
  Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
LDCs
  Local distribution companies
LIBOR
  London InterBank Offered Rate
MGP
  Manufactured gas plant
MISO
  Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator
MMDth
  Million dekatherms
mw
  Megawatts
NAAQS
  National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NOV
  Notice of Violation
NOx
  Nitrogen oxide
NPDES
  National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NYMEX
  New York Mercantile Exchange
OCI
  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
OPEB
  Other postretirement benefits
OUCC
  Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
PADEP
  Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
PCB
  Polychlorinated biphenyls
Piedmont
  Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
PIPP
  Percentage of Income Plan
PPUC
  Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
PSC
  Public Service Commission
PSD
  Prevention of Significant Deterioration
PUCO
  Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
RBS
  Royal Bank of Scotland LC
RCRA
  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RSG
  Revenue Sufficiency Guarantee
SEC
  Securities and Exchange Commission
SFAS
  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
SIP
  State Implementation Plan

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Table of Contents

DEFINED TERMS (continued)
     
SO2
  Sulfur dioxide
tpy
  Tons per year
UAFG
  Unaccounted For Gas
VaR
  Value-at-risk and instrument sensitivity to market factors
VSCC
  Virginia State Corporation Commission

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Table of Contents

PART I
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NiSource Inc.
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months     Nine Months  
    Ended September 30,     Ended September 30,  
(in millions, except per share amounts)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
         
Net Revenues
                               
Gas Distribution
  $ 297.3     $ 548.3     $ 2,469.0     $ 3,713.2  
Gas Transportation and Storage
    242.9       217.6       900.4       811.9  
Electric
    320.0       379.1       902.2       1,050.8  
Other
    24.6       38.6       59.9       142.7  
         
Gross Revenues
    884.8       1,183.6       4,331.5       5,718.6  
Cost of Sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)
    227.3       570.2       1,940.4       3,404.0  
         
Total Net Revenues
    657.5       613.4       2,391.1       2,314.6  
         
Operating Expenses
                               
Operation and maintenance
    356.9       313.4       1,197.8       1,065.6  
Depreciation and amortization
    148.7       140.9       440.1       423.8  
Impairment and (gain)/loss on sale of assets, net
    4.4       (0.4 )     2.4       (2.8 )
Other taxes
    53.7       57.3       208.4       221.7  
         
Total Operating Expenses
    563.7       511.2       1,848.7       1,708.3  
         
Equity Earnings in Unconsolidated Affiliates
    5.8       3.4       9.6       7.0  
         
Operating Income
    99.6       105.6       552.0       613.3  
         
Other Income (Deductions)
                               
Interest expense, net
    (104.8 )     (100.1 )     (300.4 )     (279.1 )
Gain on early extinguishment of long-term debt
    -       -       2.5       -  
Other, net
    2.3       20.5       (2.3 )     20.1  
         
Total Other Income (Deductions)
    (102.5 )     (79.6 )     (300.2 )     (259.0 )
         
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
    (2.9 )     26.0       251.8       354.3  
Income Taxes
    6.8       (5.1 )     110.5       114.9  
         
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    (9.7 )     31.1       141.3       239.4  
         
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations - net of taxes
    0.5       (5.8 )     2.1       (218.2 )
Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations - net of taxes
    (6.2 )     (5.3 )     (15.2 )     (104.2 )
         
Net Income (Loss)
  $ (15.4 )   $ 20.0     $ 128.2     $ (83.0 )
         
 
                               
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share
                               
Continuing operations
  $ (0.03 )   $ 0.11     $ 0.52     $ 0.87  
Discontinued operations
    (0.02 )     (0.03 )     (0.05 )     (1.17 )
         
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share
  $ (0.05 )   $ 0.08     $ 0.47     $ (0.30 )
         
 
                               
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
                               
Continuing operations
  $ (0.03 )   $ 0.10     $ 0.51     $ 0.86  
Discontinued operations
    (0.02 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )     (1.16 )
         
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
  $ (0.05 )   $ 0.07     $ 0.47     $ (0.30 )
         
 
                               
         
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
  $ 0.23     $ 0.23     $ 0.92     $ 0.92  
         
 
                               
Basic Average Common Shares Outstanding
    275.4       274.0       274.8       274.0  
Diluted Average Common Shares
    275.4       275.5       277.3       275.4  
         
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
(in millions)   2009     2008  
     
 
               
ASSETS
               
Property, Plant and Equipment
               
Utility Plant
  $ 18,774.2     $ 18,356.8  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (8,286.3 )     (8,080.8 )
     
Net utility plant
    10,487.9       10,276.0  
     
Other property, at cost, less accumulated depreciation
    94.2       112.1  
     
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
    10,582.1       10,388.1  
     
 
               
Investments and Other Assets
               
Assets of discontinued operations and assets held for sale
    175.4       178.3  
Unconsolidated affiliates
    149.5       86.8  
Other investments
    128.2       117.9  
     
Total Investments and Other Assets
    453.1       383.0  
     
 
               
Current Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    83.8       20.6  
Restricted cash
    64.5       79.9  
Accounts receivable (less reserve of $33.1 and $43.9, respectively)
    442.3       1,027.0  
Income tax receivable
    295.7        
Gas inventory
    528.2       511.8  
Underrecovered gas and fuel costs
    11.2       180.2  
Materials and supplies, at average cost
    94.1       95.1  
Electric production fuel, at average cost
    69.5       63.7  
Price risk management assets
    2.3       118.3  
Exchange gas receivable
    79.0       371.6  
Regulatory assets
    287.3       314.9  
Assets of discontinued operations and assets held for sale
    473.7       416.8  
Prepayments and other
    131.6       217.7  
     
Total Current Assets
    2,563.2       3,417.6  
     
 
               
Other Assets
               
Price risk management assets
    77.9       95.7  
Regulatory assets
    1,579.3       1,640.4  
Goodwill
    3,677.3       3,677.3  
Intangible assets
    322.4       330.6  
Postretirement and postemployment benefits assets
    10.5       10.3  
Deferred charges and other
    125.3       123.5  
     
Total Other Assets
    5,792.7       5,877.8  
     
Total Assets
  $ 19,391.1     $ 20,066.5  
     
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (continued)
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
(in millions, except share amounts)   2009     2008  
     
 
               
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
               
Capitalization
               
Common Stockholders’ Equity
               
Common stock - $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized; 275,754,599 and 274,261,799 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
  $ 2.8     $ 2.7  
Additional paid-in capital
    4,043.2       4,020.3  
Retained earnings
    776.3       901.1  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (58.3 )     (172.0 )
Treasury stock
    (24.2 )     (23.3 )
     
Total Common Stockholders’ Equity
    4,739.8       4,728.8  
Long-term debt, excluding amounts due within one year
    6,560.7       5,943.9  
     
Total Capitalization
    11,300.5       10,672.7  
     
 
               
Current Liabilities
               
Current portion of long-term debt
    433.8       469.3  
Short-term borrowings
    200.0       1,163.5  
Accounts payable
    214.0       606.9  
Dividends declared
    63.5       -  
Customer deposits
    124.9       125.6  
Taxes accrued
    148.0       206.5  
Interest accrued
    87.5       120.1  
Overrecovered gas and fuel costs
    456.4       35.9  
Price risk management liabilities
    44.6       237.5  
Exchange gas payable
    240.1       555.5  
Deferred revenue
    8.7       4.3  
Regulatory liabilities
    42.6       40.4  
Accrued liability for postretirement and postemployment benefits
    7.8       6.4  
Liabilities of discontinued operations and liabilities held for sale
    273.4       158.1  
Legal and environmental reserves
    209.5       375.1  
Other accruals
    354.9       486.1  
     
Total Current Liabilities
    2,909.7       4,591.2  
     
 
               
Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits
               
Price risk management liabilities
    3.6       17.9  
Deferred income taxes
    2,001.5       1,576.4  
Deferred investment tax credits
    41.3       46.1  
Deferred credits
    70.1       76.7  
Deferred revenue
    7.9       6.2  
Accrued liability for postretirement and postemployment benefits
    1,172.3       1,238.5  
Liabilities of discontinued operations and liabilities held for sale
    160.8       174.9  
Regulatory liabilities and other removal costs
    1,433.8       1,386.1  
Asset retirement obligations
    134.0       126.0  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    155.6       153.8  
     
Total Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits
    5,180.9       4,802.6  
     
Commitments and Contingencies (Refer to Note 16)
    -       -  
     
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
  $ 19,391.1     $ 20,066.5  
     
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited)
                 
Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions)   2009     2008  
     
Operating Activities
               
Net Income
  $ 128.2     $ (83.0 )
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash from Continuing Operations:
               
Gain on Early Extinguishment of Debt
    (2.5 )     -  
Depreciation and Amortization
    440.1       423.8  
Net Changes in Price Risk Management Assets and Liabilities
    1.5       21.7  
Deferred Income Taxes and Investment Tax Credits
    354.4       92.3  
Deferred Revenue
    4.4       (17.4 )
Stock Compensation Expense
    8.3       7.2  
Gain on Sale of Assets
    (2.0 )     (4.4 )
Loss on Impairment of Assets
    4.4       1.6  
Income from Unconsolidated Affiliates
    (9.2 )     (20.3 )
Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations - Net of Taxes
    15.2       104.2  
Loss (Income) from Discontinued Operations - Net of Taxes
    (2.1 )     218.2  
Amortization of Discount/Premium on Debt
    9.9       5.7  
AFUDC Equity
    (0.6 )     (4.7 )
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
               
Accounts Receivable
    522.2       387.6  
Income Tax Receivable
    (295.7 )     -  
Inventories
    (22.9 )     (248.0 )
Accounts Payable
    (299.1 )     (244.2 )
Customer Deposits
    (0.7 )     7.6  
Taxes Accrued
    48.8       (45.4 )
Interest Accrued
    (32.6 )     2.5  
(Under) Overrecovered Gas and Fuel Costs
    589.4       (165.3 )
Exchange Gas Receivable/Payable
    (22.8 )     6.1  
Other Accruals
    (104.0 )     (17.8 )
Prepayments and Other Current Assets
    10.8       (12.9 )
Regulatory Assets/Liabilities
    70.1       (89.1 )
Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
    (61.1 )     8.1  
Deferred Credits
    (5.4 )     2.3  
Deferred Charges and Other NonCurrent Assets
    0.2       (42.1 )
Other NonCurrent Liabilities
    12.1       (18.3 )
     
Net Operating Activities from Continuing Operations
    1,359.3       276.0  
Net Operating Activities used for Discontinued Operations
    (239.1 )     (25.7 )
     
Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities
    1,120.2       250.3  
     
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Capital Expenditures
    (585.7 )     (707.5 )
Sugar Creek Facility Purchase
    -       (329.7 )
Insurance Recoveries
    61.4       28.1  
Proceeds from Disposition of Assets
    2.4       42.0  
Restricted Cash
    15.3       (49.5 )
Other Investing Activities
    (57.7 )     (18.9 )
     
Net Investing Activities used for Continuing Operations
    (564.3 )     (1,035.5 )
Net Investing Activities from Discontinued Operations
    61.4       66.6  
     
Net Cash Flows used for Investing Activities
    (502.9 )     (968.9 )
     
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Issuance of Long-Term Debt
    965.1       960.1  
Retirement of Long-Term Debt
    (365.9 )     (37.9 )
Repurchase of Long-Term Debt
    -       (254.0 )
Change in Short-Term Debt, Net
    (963.4 )     202.0  
Issuance of Common Stock
    0.6       1.1  
Acquisition of Treasury Stock
    (0.9 )     (0.2 )
Dividends Paid - Common Stock
    (189.6 )     (189.2 )
     
Net Cash Flows used for Financing Activities
    (554.1 )     681.9  
     
Change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations
    240.9       (77.6 )
Cash (contributions to) receipts from discontinued operations
    (177.7 )     68.1  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    20.6       34.6  
     
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 83.8     $ 25.1  
     
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months     Nine Months  
    Ended September 30,   Ended September, 30  
(in millions, net of taxes)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
         
Net Income (Loss)
  $ (15.4 )   $ 20.0     $ 128.2     $ (83.0 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                               
Net gain (loss) on available for sale securities (a)
    2.2       (2.2 )     2.4       (4.2 )
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges (b)
    12.9       (97.2 )     109.5       (69.9 )
Unrecognized pension benefit and OPEB costs (c)
    0.6       0.1       1.8       (2.9 )
         
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
    15.7       (99.3 )     113.7       (77.0 )
         
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
  $ 0.3     $ (79.3 )   $ 241.9     $ (160.0 )
         
(a)  
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, net of $1.4 million tax expense and $1.1 million tax benefit in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $1.7 million tax expense and $2.4 million tax benefit for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
(b)  
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of $9.1 million tax expense and $64.1million tax benefit in third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $73.8 million tax expense and $45.4 million tax benefit for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
(c)  
Unrecognized pension benefit and OPEB costs, net of $0.4 million and zero tax expense in third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $1.1 million tax expense and $1.8 million tax benefit for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are an integral part of these statements.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
1.     Basis of Accounting Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for NiSource reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to present fairly the results of operations in accordance with GAAP in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in NiSource’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Income for interim periods may not be indicative of results for the calendar year due to weather variations and other factors.
The following unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although NiSource believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.
NiSource’s management has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through October 30, 2009, which is the date the financial statements were issued.
2.     Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
FASB ASC Topic 105 – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. In June 2009, the FASB issued this topic to address the new authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The ASC supersedes all previously-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the ASC will become non-authoritative. Following adoption of the ASC, the FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts; rather, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates. This topic is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This topic does not change GAAP and will not have a material impact on NiSource. In accordance with this topic, all references in this document now refer to the ASC.
FASB ASC Topic 855 – Subsequent Events. In May 2009, the FASB amended and expanded the disclosure requirements related to this topic. The amended and expanded disclosure requirements do not require significant changes regarding recognition or disclosure of subsequent events, but does require disclosure of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated for purposes of disclosure and accounting recognition. The amended and expanded disclosure requirements were effective for financial statements issued after June 15, 2009. The adoption of the amended and disclosure requirements on April 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
FASB ASC Topic 815 – Derivatives and Hedging. In March 2008, the FASB amended and expanded the disclosure requirements related to this topic with the intent to provide users of the financial statements with an enhanced understanding of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how these derivatives are accounted for and how the respective reporting entity’s financial statements are affected. The amended and expanded disclosure requirements were effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, and earlier application was encouraged. NiSource adopted the amended and expanded disclosure requirements on January 1, 2009. Refer to Note 8, “Risk Management Activities,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information.
FASB ASC Topic 810 – Consolidation. In December 2007, the FASB amended this topic to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements regarding non-controlling ownership interests in a business and for the deconsolidation of a

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
subsidiary. The amended consolidation requirements were effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption was prohibited. The adoption of the amended consolidation requirements on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
FASB ASC Topic 820 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. In September 2006, the FASB amended this topic to define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value and to expand disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. Fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The adoption of the amended fair value measurements and disclosures did not have an impact on NiSource’s January 1, 2008 balance of retained earnings.
In February 2008, the FASB delayed the effective date of this topic for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.
In October 2008, the FASB clarified the application of this topic in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. The clarification was effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued.
In April 2009, the FASB provided additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. The additional guidance was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted. NiSource adopted the additional guidance on April 1, 2009.
Refer to Note 9, “Fair Value Disclosures,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information.
FASB ASC Topic 805 – Business Combinations. In December 2007, the FASB amended this topic to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports regarding business combinations and its effects, including recognition of assets and liabilities, the measurement of goodwill and required disclosures. This amendment was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption was prohibited. The adoption of the amendment on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
In April 2009, the FASB addressed application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. The additional guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.
FASB ASC Topic 860 – Transfers and Servicing; FASB ASC Topic 810 – Consolidation. In December 2008, the FASB amended this topic to require public entities to provide additional disclosures about transfers of financial assets and to provide additional disclosures related to an entity’s involvement with variable interest entities. The amendments were effective for the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The adoption of the amendments on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). Refer to Note 10, “Transfers of Financial Assets,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information.
FASB ASC Topic 320 – Investments. In April 2009, the FASB amended the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in this topic for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. The

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
amendment was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of the amendment on April 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
FASB ASC Topic 825 – Financial Instruments. In April 2009, the FASB amended this topic to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as annual financial statements. The amendment was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted. NiSource adopted the amendment on April 1, 2009. As the amendment provides only disclosure requirements, the application of this standard did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). Refer to Note 9, “Fair Value Disclosures,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS No. 167 – Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R). In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167 to amend certain requirements of FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities and to provide more relevant and reliable information to users of financial statements. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009 with early adoption prohibited. NiSource is currently reviewing the additional requirements to determine the impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
SFAS No. 166 – Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166 to amend the derecognition guidance in Statement 140 to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009 with early adoption prohibited. NiSource is currently reviewing the accounting and additional disclosure requirements to determine the impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). This Statement may require sales of accounts receivable, under the accounts receivable program discussed in Note 10, “Transfers of Financial Assets,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) to be recorded as debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets effective January 1, 2010.
FASB ASC Topic 715 – Compensation – Retirement Benefits. In December 2008, the FASB amended this topic to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The amendment is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009 with earlier adoption permitted. NiSource is currently reviewing the provisions of this topic to determine the impact on its disclosures within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
3.     Earnings Per Share
Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS include the incremental effects of the various long-term incentive compensation plans. The numerator in calculating both basic and diluted EPS for each period is reported net income. The computation for the three months ended September 30, 2009 is not presented since NiSource had a loss from continuing operations and net loss on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited) during that period. The computation of diluted average common shares follows:
                         
    Three Months   Nine Months
    Ended September 30,   Ended September 30,
(in thousands)   2008   2009   2008
 
Denominator
                       
Basic average common shares outstanding
    273,992       274,758       273,962  
Dilutive potential common shares
                       
Shares contingently issuable under employee stock plans
    1,285       2,423       1,285  
Shares restricted under employee stock plans
    209       108       188  
 
Diluted Average Common Shares
    275,486       277,289       275,435  
 
4.     Restructuring Activities
During the first quarter of 2009, NiSource began an organizational restructuring initiative, beginning with Gas Transmission and Storage Operations, in response to the decline in overall economic conditions.
In February 2009, NiSource announced the restructuring of the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment. NiSource has eliminated positions across the 16 state operating territory of Gas Transmission and Storage. The reductions have occurred through voluntary programs and involuntary separations. In addition to employee reductions, the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment will continue to take steps to achieve additional cost savings by efficiently managing its various business locations, reducing its fleet operations, creating alliances with third party service providers, and implementing other changes in line with its strategic plan for growth and maximizing value of existing assets. During the first nine months of 2009, NiSource recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge related to this initiative, net of adjustments, of $20.0 million to “Operation and maintenance” expense on the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited), which primarily includes costs related to severance and other employee related costs. Management currently anticipates approximately 350 employees will be impacted. As of September 30, 2009, 305 employees had been severed from employment, of which 51 were severed in the third quarter of 2009. NiSource expects this phase of restructuring to be substantially complete by the end of 2009.
In September 2009, NiSource announced the restructuring of Northern Indiana, which aims to redefine business and operations strategies and achieve cost reductions, and impacts both Electric Operations and Gas Distribution Operations. During the third quarter of 2009, NiSource recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge related to this initiative of $4.6 million to “Operation and maintenance” expense on the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited), which primarily includes costs related to severance and other employee related costs for approximately 43 employees and outside services costs. NiSource expects this phase of restructuring to be substantially complete by the end of 2009.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Changes in the restructuring reserve, included in “Other accruals” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), were as follows:
                                         
    Balance at                             Balance at  
(in millions)   December 31, 2008     Additions     Benefits Paid     Adjustments     September 30, 2009  
 
2009 Initiative:
                                       
Gas Transmission and Storage
  $ -     $ 20.5     $ (17.4 )   $ (0.5 )   $ 2.6  
Northern Indiana
    -       4.6       -       -       4.6  
 
Total
  $ -     $ 25.1     $ (17.4 )   $ (0.5 )   $ 7.2  
 
5.     Discontinued Operations and Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) at September 30, 2009 were:
(in millions)
                                                 
Assets of discontinued operations   Property, plant and     Accounts                          
and held for sale:   equipment, net     receivable, net     Price risk assets     Restricted cash     Other assets     Total  
 
Unregulated Natural Gas Marketing
  $ 0.7     $ 43.9     $ 404.9     $ 152.6     $ 14.1     $ 616.2  
Lake Erie Land
    11.9       -       -       -       -       11.9  
NiSource Corporate Services
    6.2       -       -       -       -       6.2  
NDC Douglas Properties
    10.1       -       -       -       2.1       12.2  
Columbia Transmission
    2.6       -       -       -       -       2.6  
 
Total
  $ 31.5     $ 43.9     $ 404.9     $ 152.6     $ 16.2     $ 649.1  
 
                                                 
Liabilities of discontinued                   Price risk             Other        
operations and held for sale:   Debt     Accounts payable     liabilities     Tax liabilities     liabilities     Total  
 
Unregulated Natural Gas Marketing
  $ -     $ 22.0     $ 383.6     $ 8.6     $ 8.0     $ 422.2  
NDC Douglas Properties
    11.0       0.5       -       -       0.5       12.0  
 
Total
  $ 11.0     $ 22.5     $ 383.6     $ 8.6     $ 8.5     $ 434.2  
 
 
The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2008 were:
 
(in millions)
                                                 
Assets of discontinued operations   Property, plant and     Accounts     Price risk                    
and held for sale:   equipment, net     receivable, net     assets     Restricted cash     Other assets     Total  
 
Unregulated Natural Gas Marketing
  $ 0.6     $ 123.7     $ 137.1     $ 206.7     $ 80.4     $ 548.5  
Bay State Gas Company
    20.8       -       -       -       -       20.8  
Lake Erie Land
    11.9       -       -       -       -       11.9  
NiSource Corporate Services
    6.2       -       -       -       -       6.2  
NDC Douglas Properties
    4.1       -       -       -       1.0       5.1  
Columbia Transmission
    2.6       -       -       -       -       2.6  
 
Total
  $ 46.2     $ 123.7     $ 137.1     $ 206.7     $ 81.4     $ 595.1  
 
                                                 
Liabilities of discontinued                   Price risk             Other        
operations and held for sale:   Debt     Accounts payable     liabilities     Tax liabilities     liabilities     Total  
 
Unregulated Natural Gas Marketing
  $ -     $ 94.6     $ 219.6     $ -     $ 13.5     $ 327.7  
NDC Douglas Properties
    4.9       0.2       -       -       0.2       5.3  
 
Total
  $ 4.9     $ 94.8     $ 219.6     $ -     $ 13.7     $ 333.0  
 

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Assets classified as discontinued operations or held for sale are no longer depreciated.
NiSource is engaged in a process to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business. Net assets for the unregulated natural gas marketing business of $194.0 million have been accounted for as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and the results of operations and cash flows of the unregulated natural gas marketing business were classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. As a result of the letter of intent signed during the second quarter of 2009, an impairment loss of $8.8 million, net of tax, was recognized during the second quarter of 2009. During the third quarter of 2009, the terms of the deal were negotiated further within the parameters of the original letter of intent resulting in a reduction in the purchase price and other adjustments. An additional impairment loss of $3.6 million, net of tax, was reflected in Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
Lake Erie Land, which is wholly-owned by NiSource, was in the process of selling real estate over a 10-year period as a part of an agreement reached in June 2006 with a private real estate development group. In the second quarter of 2009, the developer was unable to meet certain contractual obligations under the sale agreement including the payment of an $11.5 million note receivable that was due on June 13, 2009. NiSource granted a limited extension for the payment of the note and began negotiations with another potential party to replace the original developer under the existing agreement. In July 2009, NiSource signed a letter of intent with the new potential party which was reaffirmed in October 2009. Under the existing agreement, NiSource believes that $11.9 million of Lake Erie Land assets meet the criteria of assets held for sale and the $11.5 million note receivable, which does not meet the assets held for sale criteria, is fully collectible.
NDC Douglas Properties, a subsidiary of NiSource Development Company, is in the process of exiting some of its low income housing investments. During the third quarter of 2009, a potential buyer was able to secure financing to purchase two properties previously recorded as assets held for sale as well as three additional properties. The deal is expected to be finalized during the fourth quarter of 2009. The assets and liabilities of the three additional properties were reclassified to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and held for sale in the third quarter of 2009 in the amount of $7.0 million and $6.7 million, respectively. The expected proceeds from the sale of the five properties will be less than the net book value resulting in an impairment charge of $2.7 million, net of tax, included in Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
NDC Douglas Properties owns four properties which do not currently meet the assets held for sale criteria as their estimated sale date is greater than one year. Based on previous impairments recorded on other NDC Douglas Properties, the properties were tested for impairment during the third quarter of 2009. The test resulted in an additional pre-tax impairment charge of $4.4 million which reduced Income from Continuing Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
NiSource Corporate Services is continuing to work with several potential buyers to sell its Marble Cliff facility. A third party appraisal was performed in December 2008 with an estimated market value of the property of $6.2 million, which equals the book value. NiSource has accounted for this facility as assets held for sale.
On June 18, 2009, Columbia Transmission received approval from the FERC to abandon by sale to an unaffiliated third party its Line R System in West Virginia, which includes certain natural gas pipeline and compression facilities. These assets held for sale have a net book value of $2.4 million. The sale transaction is expected to close in 2010.
On June 30, 2008, NiSource sold Whiting Clean Energy to BPAE for $216.7 million, which included $16.1 million in working capital. In the first quarter of 2008, NiSource began accounting for the operations of Whiting Clean Energy as discontinued operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, an after tax loss of $32.3 million was included in Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited).

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
On December 1, 2008, NiSource sold NiSource subsidiaries Northern Utilities and Granite State Gas to Unitil Corporation. The final sale amount was $209.1 million which included $49.1 million in working capital. Under the terms of the transaction, Unitil Corporation acquired Northern Utilities, a local gas distribution company serving 52 thousand customers in 44 communities in Maine and New Hampshire and Granite State Gas, an 86-mile FERC regulated gas transmission pipeline primarily located in Maine and New Hampshire. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, an after tax loss of $4.7 million and $71.7 million, respectively, was included in Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited).
During the second quarter of 2008, Bay State signed a letter of intent to sell certain assets, including water heater rentals and other service agreements. During April 2009, negotiations with a potential buyer were terminated. NiSource has determined that it is no longer probable that the property will be sold within twelve months and therefore, reclassified the assets from assets held for sale to assets held and used during the second quarter 2009.
Results from discontinued operations from Whiting Clean Energy, Granite State Gas, Northern Utilities, NDC Douglas Properties low income housing investments, the unregulated natural gas marketing business, and reserve changes for NiSource’s former exploration and production subsidiary, CER, are provided in the following table:
                                 
    Three Months     Nine Months  
    Ended September 30,     Ended September 30,  
(in millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Revenues from Discontinued Operations
  $ 106.2     $ 251.6     $ 531.1     $ 991.2  
 
 
                               
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations
    0.8       (8.5 )     4.3       (332.6 )
Income tax (benefit) expense
    0.3       (2.7 )     2.2       (114.4 )
 
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations - net of taxes
  $ 0.5     $ (5.8 )   $ 2.1     $ (218.2 )
 
 
                               
 
Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations - net of taxes
  $ (6.2 )   $ (5.3 )   $ (15.2 )   $ (104.2 )
 
The loss on disposition of discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes the after-tax loss related to NiSource’s decision to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business and its NDC Douglas Properties of $12.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The loss on disposition of discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 includes the after tax loss on disposition related to the sales of Whiting Clean Energy, Northern Utilities and Granite State Gas of $32.3 million, $56.7 million and $15.0 million, respectively.
6.     Asset Retirement Obligations
Certain costs of removal that have been, and continue to be, included in depreciation rates and collected in the service rates of the rate-regulated subsidiaries are classified as regulatory liabilities and other removal costs on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).
Changes in NiSource’s liability for asset retirement obligations for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 are presented in the table below:
                 
(in millions)   2009     2008  
 
Balance as of January 1,
  $ 126.0     $ 128.1  
Accretion expense
    0.5       0.6  
Accretion recorded as a regulatory asset
    5.4       4.6  
Additions
    4.7       -  
Settlements
    (2.6 )     (4.9 )
 
Balance as of September 30,
  $ 134.0     $ 128.4  
 

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
7.     Regulatory Matters
Gas Distribution Operations Regulatory Matters
Significant Rate Developments. Northern Indiana currently has plans underway for the filing of a gas rate case, the first since 1987. The filing is expected to be made in 2010, with new rates anticipated to be effective in late 2010 or early 2011.
Columbia of Ohio filed a base rate case with the PUCO on March 3, 2008, and a settlement agreement was filed on October 24, 2008. In the base rate case, Columbia of Ohio sought recovery of increased infrastructure rehabilitation costs, as well as the stabilization of revenues and cost recovery through rate design. The agreement included an annual revenue increase of $47.1 million, and also provides for recovery of costs associated with Columbia of Ohio’s infrastructure rehabilitation program. On December 3, 2008, the PUCO approved the settlement agreement in all material respects, and approved Columbia of Ohio’s proposed rate design, with new rates taking effect December 3, 2008.
On January 15, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application with the PUCO requesting authority to increase Columbia of Ohio’s PIPP rider rate in order to collect $82.2 million in PIPP arrearages over a period of three years, in addition to the projected level of arrearages expected to occur during each of the succeeding twelve-month periods. On March 3, 2009, Columbia of Ohio’s proposal was approved and became effective.
On January 30, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application with the PUCO to implement a gas supply auction. The auction will replace Columbia’s current GCR mechanism for providing commodity gas supplies to its sales customers. Columbia will conduct two consecutive one-year long standard service offer auction periods starting April 2010 and April 2011. Through those auctions, Columbia will obtain commodity gas supplies from alternative suppliers and will pass the auction price of that gas on to its customers. A stipulation resolving all issues in the case was filed on October 7, 2009. The matter is currently pending.
On January 28, 2008, Columbia of Pennsylvania filed a base rate case with the PPUC seeking recovery of costs associated with its significant infrastructure rehabilitation program, as well as stabilization of revenues through modifications to rate design. On July 2, 2008, Columbia of Pennsylvania and all interested parties filed a unanimous settlement and on October 23, 2008, the PPUC issued an Order approving the settlement as filed, increasing annual revenues by $41.5 million. New rates went into effect October 28, 2008.
On April 16, 2009, Bay State filed a base rate case with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, requesting an increase of $34.2 million. In its initial filing, Bay State is seeking revenue decoupling, as well as an expedited mechanism for the recovery of costs associated with the rehabilitation of the company’s infrastructure. This matter is currently pending and is expected to be resolved with new rates taking effect in the fourth quarter 2009.
On May 1, 2009, Columbia of Kentucky filed a base rate case with the Kentucky PSC, requesting an annual increase of $11.6 million. In its initial filing, Columbia of Kentucky is seeking enhancements to rate design, as well as an expedited mechanism for the recovery of costs associated with the rehabilitation of the company’s infrastructure. A settlement agreement has been reached with all parties which was presented in a hearing before the Kentucky PSC on September 18, 2009. On October 26, 2009, the Kentucky PSC approved the settlement agreement as filed, with new rates taking effect on October 27, 2009. Refer to Note 20, “Subsequent Events,” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
On June 8, 2009, Columbia of Virginia filed an Application with the VSCC for approval of a CARE Plan for a three-year period beginning January 1, 2010. The CARE Plan includes incentives for residential and small general service customers to actively pursue conservation and energy efficiency measures, a surcharge designed to recover the costs of such measures on a real-time basis, and a performance-based incentive for the delivery of conservation and energy efficiency benefits. The CARE Plan also includes a rate decoupling mechanism designed to mitigate the impact of declining customer usage. On October 28, 2009, Columbia of Virginia and other parties to the proceeding presented a unanimous settlement to the Hearing Examiner, which would provide for approval of the CARE Plan

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Application with modifications. The matter is currently pending a recommendation by the Examiner and final action by the VSCC, both of which are anticipated to occur before the end of the year.
On November 24, 2008, Northern Indiana filed Supplemental Testimony in its annual gas recovery proceeding seeking a cost recovery mechanism for system UAFG based on a four-year average effective August 2008. The OUCC, the NIPSCO Industrial Group and LaPorte County intervened in this proceeding. The OUCC sponsored testimony opposing recovery of UAFG in the gas cost proceeding and recommending an adjustment of $4.1 million to reflect a higher UAFG level for the entire GCA 10 period (August 2007 — July 2008.) The NIPSCO Industrial Group recommended that Northern Indiana reduce its transportation service retainage to be consistent with Northern Indiana’s calculation of actual UAFG. Evidentiary hearings were held on April 20 and 21, 2009. On October 21, 2009, the IURC issued an Order in this proceeding. The Order rejected the use of a four-year average to compute UAFG, and requires Northern Indiana to refund $4.1 million to customers in its next quarterly GCA, calculated based on the UAFG for the GCA-10 twelve-month period ended July 2008. The order also recommends that Northern Indiana perform a study within twelve months to determine if a tariff change is necessary to adjust the transportation service retainage, but did not mandate a change in the tariff. A reserve has been provided for the full amount of the refund, which will be returned to customers beginning in March 2010.
In March 2009, Indiana Governor Daniels signed Senate Bill 423 into law giving the Indiana Finance Authority the ability to contract, on behalf of gas customers in the state of Indiana, with developers capable of building facilities that manufactures Substitute Natural Gas from coal. The Indiana Finance Authority received one bid, Indiana Gasification, by the April 9, 2009 deadline to initiate a Substitute Natural Gas plant in Southern Indiana under a 30 year contract. It is expected that all Indiana gas utilities including Northern Indiana will be delivering a portion of Substitute Natural Gas from this facility. The IURC must approve the final contract.
Cost Recovery and Trackers. A significant portion of the distribution companies’ revenue is related to the recovery of gas costs, the review and recovery of which occurs via standard regulatory proceedings. All states require periodic review of actual gas procurement activity to determine prudence and to permit the recovery of prudently incurred costs related to the supply of gas for customers. NiSource distribution companies have historically been found prudent in the procurement of gas supplies to serve customers.
Certain operating costs of the NiSource distribution companies are significant, recurring in nature, and generally outside the control of the distribution companies. Some states allow the recovery of such costs via cost tracking mechanisms. Such tracking mechanisms allow for abbreviated regulatory proceedings in order for the distribution companies to implement charges and recover appropriate costs. Tracking mechanisms allow for more timely recovery of such costs as compared with more traditional cost recovery mechanisms. Examples of such mechanisms include GCR adjustment mechanisms, tax riders, and bad debt recovery mechanisms.
Comparability of Gas Distribution Operations line item operating results is impacted by these regulatory trackers that allow for the recovery in rates of certain costs such as bad debt expenses. Increases in the expenses that are the subject of trackers result in a corresponding increase in net revenues and therefore have essentially no impact on total operating income results.
Certain of the NiSource distribution companies have completed rate proceedings involving infrastructure replacement or are embarking upon regulatory initiatives to replace significant portions of their operating systems that are nearing the end of their useful lives. Each LDC’s approach to cost recovery may be unique, given the different laws, regulations and precedent that exist in each jurisdiction. On February 27, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application to adjust its Infrastructure Replacement Program Rider to recover costs for risers and accelerated main replacements. On June 24, 2009, the PUCO approved a stipulation allowing Columbia of Ohio to implement the new rider rate on July 1, 2009, resulting in an annual revenue increase of approximately $14 million.
On April 30, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application with the PUCO to defer pension and other postretirement benefits expenses above those currently subject to collection in rates, effective January 1, 2009. On July 8, 2009, the PUCO issued an Order approving Columbia of Ohio’s application, although the deferred balances shall not accrue carrying charges and Columbia of Ohio shall not seek recovery of pension and other postretirement benefits

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
deferrals in a base rate proceeding for a period of five years. The amount deferred will be approximately $13.0 million for 2009, of which $9.8 million has been included in the third quarter of 2009 results.
On April 23, 2009, Columbia of Kentucky filed an application with the Kentucky PSC to defer pension and other postretirement benefits expenses above those currently subject to collection in rates. If approved, the amount deferred would be approximately $1.2 million for 2009. This matter is currently pending.
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations Regulatory Matters
Appalachian Expansion Project. On August 22, 2008, the FERC issued an order to Columbia Transmission, which granted a certificate to construct the project. The project included building a new 9,470 hp compressor station in West Virginia. The Appalachian Expansion Project added 100,000 Dth per day of transportation capacity and is fully subscribed on a 15-year contracted firm basis. Construction is complete and the project was placed in service on July 1, 2009.
Eastern Market Expansion Project. On January 14, 2008, the FERC issued an order which granted a certificate to construct the project. The project allows Columbia Transmission to expand its facilities to provide additional storage and transportation services and to replace certain existing facilities. The Eastern Market Expansion added 97,000 Dth per day of storage and transportation deliverability and is fully subscribed on a 15-year contracted firm basis. Construction of the facilities is complete and was placed in service April 1, 2009.
Ohio Storage Project. On June 24, 2008, Columbia Transmission filed an application before the FERC for approval to expand two of its Ohio storage fields for additional capacity of nearly 7 Bcf and 103,400 Dth per day of daily deliverability. Approval was granted in March 2009 and construction of the facilities began in April 2009. Partial service related to this expansion was available beginning May 2009 and the remainder is expected to be available by the fourth quarter of 2009. The expansion capacity is 58% contracted on a long-term, firm basis, with the FERC authorized market-based rates for these services.
Electric Operations Regulatory Matters
Significant Rate Developments. Northern Indiana filed a petition for new electric base rates and charges on June 27, 2008. The case-in-chief was originally filed on August 29, 2008, and amended on December 19, 2008 after the Sugar Creek facility was successfully dispatched into MISO. The filing requested an increase in base rates calculated to produce additional annual gross margin of $85.7 million. Evidentiary hearings on Northern Indiana’s direct case commenced on January 12, 2009 and concluded on February 6, 2009. Several stakeholder groups have intervened in the case, representing customer groups and various counties and towns within Northern Indiana’s electric service territory. Field hearings to record customer testimonies were held on March 3, 2009 and July 15, 2009. The OUCC and intervenors filed their cases-in-chief on May 8, 2009. Northern Indiana filed its rebuttal testimony on June 26, 2009. Northern Indiana made several minor changes to its revenue requirement, and, as a result the margin requirement in the proposed order filing is $8 million less than the original request. The hearings concluded on August 6, 2009, and the briefing schedule will conclude on January 12, 2010. The case is expected to be resolved with new electric rates effective during early 2010.
Northern Indiana anticipates filing another electric base rate case during 2010. Among other things, the filing is expected to include the effect of increased pension expense, as well as demand levels based on more recent operating experience.
During 2002, Northern Indiana settled certain regulatory matters related to an electric rate review. On September 23, 2002, the IURC issued an Order adopting most aspects of the settlement. The Order approving the settlement provides that certain electric customers of Northern Indiana will receive bill credits of approximately $55.1 million each year. The credits will continue at approximately the same annual level and per the same methodology, until the IURC enters a base rate order that approves revised Northern Indiana electric rates. The order included a rate moratorium that expired on July 31, 2006. The order also provides that 60% of any future earnings beyond a specified earnings level will be retained by Northern Indiana. The billing factor used to distribute the revenue credit to customers is based on historical electric usage, therefore, in times of higher usage and revenues the amount

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
credited may exceed $55.1 million annually, but would be offset in a subsequent period. Credits amounting to $41.1 million and $40.5 million were recognized for electric customers for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
MISO. As part of Northern Indiana’s participation in the MISO transmission service and wholesale energy market, certain administrative fees and non-fuel costs have been incurred. IURC orders have been issued authorizing the deferral for consideration in a future rate case proceeding of the administrative fees and certain non-fuel related costs incurred after Northern Indiana’s rate moratorium, which expired on July 31, 2006. During the first nine months of 2009, non-fuel cost credits of $4.4 million were deferred in accordance with the aforementioned orders. In addition, administrative, FERC and other fees of $5.5 million were deferred. In total, for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, net MISO costs of $1.1 million and $6.9 million, respectively, were deferred. In its base rate case, Northern Indiana proposes recovery over a four-year amortization period of the cumulative amount of charges that were deferred as of December 31, 2008, and to recover, through a tracker, charges deferred between December 31, 2008 and the date of effective rates in this case. The aforementioned tracker is also proposed for recovery of these charges on an ongoing basis. As part of MISO’s initiation of an ASM, Northern Indiana also incurs non-fuel administrative costs associated with this market. The IURC authorized Northern Indiana to defer the costs associated with participating in the ASM subject to a final determination in a subsequent phase of the same proceeding. On June 30, 2009, the IURC issued an Order in the subsequent phase of the ASM proceeding confirming that Northern Indiana is permitted to continue deferring non-fuel administrative costs.
On November 7, 2008, the FERC issued an Order clarifying the RSG First Pass calculation and requiring the MISO to resettle the RSG market using the correct calculation and to pay refunds, or assess surcharges, to market participants, as appropriate, to correct a misinterpretation of an order issued by FERC in April 2006. Northern Indiana believes that it would have been entitled to a refund, with the amount subject to calculation by MISO. On June 12, 2009, however, FERC issued an order on rehearing in which it affirmed its prior order clarifying the method to calculate the RSG First Pass rate, but reversed its ruling requiring the MISO to pay refunds, and collect surcharges, on equitable grounds. Northern Indiana has asked FERC to reconsider its decision to deny refunds and that request remains pending. MISO’s implementation of FERC’s April 2006 Order on the RSG First Pass calculation resulted in several million dollars of surcharges to Northern Indiana through market resettlements implemented during the summer of 2007. As a result, Northern Indiana and Ameren jointly filed a complaint with FERC on August 10, 2007, contending that the RSG rates in effect were unjust and unreasonable. On November 10, 2008, the FERC issued an Order granting these complaints and ordering the MISO to calculate refunds and surcharges, as appropriate, back to the date of the complaint filed by Northern Indiana and Ameren, as authorized by Section 206 of the Federal Power Act. On May 6, 2009, however, the FERC issued an Order that upheld its decision granting the complaint, but largely reversed its directive requiring MISO to pay refunds, and collect surcharges, on equitable grounds. The FERC affirmed the refund and surcharge requirement only for those transactions that occurred after the date of the November 10, 2008 Order, instead of August 10, 2007, as it had previously required. Northern Indiana and Ameren have requested rehearing of the FERC’s May 6, 2009 Order, and that request remains pending.
MISO and PJM undertook a joint effort in April and May 2009 to identify a source of unaccounted for flows on several coordinated flowgates. The analysis found that certain PJM generating units that were once associated with unit-specific capacity sales were erroneously excluded from PJM’s market flows, which significantly affected the congestion price on reciprocally coordinated flowgates on Northern Indiana systems. Higher PJM market flows on congested flowgates would have resulted in higher payments to MISO by PJM during market to market coordination since April 1, 2005. The model was fixed on June 18, 2009 and MISO and PJM began settlement proceedings at FERC on October 19, 2009 to determine the financial impact of any resettlements, initially calculated by PJM in the amount of $78 million. The impact to Northern Indiana cannot be reasonably estimated until a settlement is reached between MISO and PJM, and MISO receives approval from the FERC on an allocation methodology to its market participants. Any adjustments will be neutral or favorable to operations.
Cost Recovery and Trackers. A significant portion of Northern Indiana’s revenue is related to the recovery of fuel costs to generate power and the fuel costs related to purchased power. These costs are recovered through a FAC, a standard, quarterly, “summary” regulatory proceeding in Indiana. Various intervenors, including the OUCC, have taken issue with the allocation of costs included in Northern Indiana’s FAC-80, FAC-81 and FAC-82, which cover

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
the reconciliation of April – December 2008. The IURC granted a sub-docket to consider such issues in those filings. The intervening parties and Northern Indiana discussed procedures to eliminate these concerns and to resolve them for the historical periods. On September 23, 2009, Northern Indiana filed a settlement agreement with the intervening parties fully resolving all issues through Northern Indiana’s FAC-84 filing. Northern Indiana and the intervening parties participated in a hearing at the IURC on October 14, 2009 in order to review the evidence supporting the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement calls for a credit of $8.2 million to be provided to FAC customers beginning in November 2009, less any amount for attorney’s fees and expenses.
The IURC issued an order on May 28, 2008 approving the purchase of Sugar Creek, and on May 30, 2008 Northern Indiana purchased the 535 mw CCGT for $330 million in order to help meet capacity needs. The IURC, on February 18, 2009, issued an order approving a settlement agreement filed in this proceeding allowing Northern Indiana to begin deferring carrying costs and depreciation on Sugar Creek effective on December 1, 2008, when Sugar Creek was dispatched into MISO, at the agreed to carrying cost rate of 6.5%, less than $4.5 million annually, the annual depreciation on the Mitchell plant, pursuant to the FAC-71 settlement. The terms of recovery of the deferral will be resolved in Northern Indiana’s current rate proceeding. On March 19, 2009, LaPorte County filed a notice of appeal regarding the IURC’s decision. On July 21, 2009, the Indiana Court of Appeals granted LaPorte County’s Motion to Dismiss the appeal filed with the court on July 16, 2009.
As part of a settlement agreement which resolved issues surrounding purchased power costs, Northern Indiana implemented a new “benchmarking standard,” that became effective in October 2007, which defines the price above which purchased power costs must be absorbed by Northern Indiana and are not permitted to be passed on to ratepayers. The benchmark is based upon the costs of power generated by a hypothetical natural gas fired unit using gas purchased and delivered to Northern Indiana and a set sharing mechanism. During the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, the amount of purchased power costs exceeding the benchmark amounted to $1.0 million and $10.8 million, respectively, which was recognized as a net reduction of revenues. The agreement also contemplated Northern Indiana adding generating capacity to its existing portfolio by providing for the benchmark to be adjusted as new capacity is added. The dispatch of Sugar Creek into MISO on December 1, 2008 triggered a change in the benchmark, whereby the first 500 mw tier of the benchmark provision was eliminated.
Northern Indiana has approval from the IURC to recover certain environmental related costs through an ECT. Under the ECT, Northern Indiana is permitted to recover (1) AFUDC and a return on the capital investment expended by Northern Indiana to implement IDEM’s NOx SIP through an ECRM and (2) related operation and maintenance and depreciation expenses once the environmental facilities become operational through an EERM. Under the IURC’s November 26, 2002 order, Northern Indiana is permitted to submit filings on a semi-annual basis for the ECRM and on an annual basis for the EERM. In addition, Northern Indiana received an IURC order issuing a CPCN for the CAIR and CAMR Phase I Compliance Plan Projects, estimated to cost approximately $23 million. Northern Indiana includes the CAIR and CAMR Phase I Compliance Plan costs to be recovered in the semi-annual ECRM and annual EERM filing six months after construction costs begin. On October 23, 2008, Northern Indiana filed for approval a revised cost estimate to meet the NOx and SO2 and mercury emissions environmental standards. Northern Indiana anticipates a total capital investment of approximately $368 million. This revised cost estimate was approved by the IURC on January 14, 2009. Northern Indiana will file its 2009 revised cost estimate to meet the NOx and SO2 mercury emissions environmental standards during the fourth quarter of 2009. On October 28, 2009, the IURC approved ECR-14 for capital expenditures (net of accumulated depreciation) of $271.2 million. Northern Indiana filed ECR-13 and EER-6 in February 2009, for net capital expenditures and expense of $268.1 million and $18.7 million, respectively. The Order was issued April 29, 2009. In the electric base rate case, Northern Indiana has proposed that the frequency of the EERM be changed from annual to semi-annual, consistent with the filing of the ECRM. In addition, Northern Indiana proposed that the EERM be used to pass through to ratepayers the cost of any emission allowance purchases and the proceeds of any emission allowance sales.
8.     Risk Management Activities
NiSource is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are commodity price risk and interest rate risk. Derivative natural gas contracts are entered into to manage the price risk associated with natural gas price volatility and to secure forward natural gas

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
prices. Interest rate swaps are entered into to manage interest rate risk associated with NiSource’s fixed-rate borrowings. NiSource designates many of its commodity forward contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted purchases of commodities and designates its interest rate swaps as fair value hedges of fixed-rate borrowings. Additionally, certain NiSource subsidiaries enter into forward physical contracts with various third parties to procure natural gas or power for its operational needs. These forward physical contracts are derivatives which qualify for the normal purchase and normal sales exception and do not require mark-to-market accounting.
In the second quarter of 2009, NiSource engaged in a process to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business. As a result of this decision, it was determined that certain forecasted transactions were no longer probable of occurring from a consolidated NiSource perspective. As such, this triggered the mark-to-market of certain forward sales contracts that were previously exempt under the normal purchase and normal sales exception. In addition, the mark-to-market gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to certain financial derivatives accounted for as a cash flow hedge were also recognized in income from discontinued operations during the quarter.
Accounting Policy for Derivative Instruments. ASC Topic 815 – Derivatives and Hedging establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. This topic requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) at fair value, unless such contracts are exempted such as a normal purchase and normal sale contract under the provisions of the standard. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and resulting designation.
NiSource uses a variety of derivative instruments (exchange traded futures and options, physical forwards and options, basis contracts, financial commodity swaps, and interest rate swaps) to effectively manage its commodity price risk and interest rate risk exposure. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, or (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction. In order for a derivative contract to be designated as a hedge, the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item or transaction must be highly effective. The effectiveness test is performed at the inception of the hedge and each reporting period thereafter, throughout the period that the hedge is designated. Any amounts determined to be ineffective are recognized currently in earnings. For derivative contracts that qualify for the normal purchase and normal sales exception, a contract’s fair value is not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) until the contract is settled.
Unrealized and realized gains and losses are recognized each period as components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), regulatory assets and liabilities or earnings depending on the designation of the derivative instrument. For subsidiaries that utilize derivatives for cash flow hedges, the effective portions of the gains and losses are recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are recognized in earnings concurrent with the disposition of the hedged risks. If a forecasted transaction corresponding to a cash flow hedge is no longer probable to occur, the accumulated gains or losses on the derivative are recognized currently in earnings. For fair value hedges, the gains and losses are recorded in earnings each period together with the change in the fair value of the hedged item. As a result of the rate-making process, the rate-regulated subsidiaries generally record gains and losses as regulatory liabilities or assets and recognize such gains or losses in earnings when both the contracts settle and the physical commodity flows. These gains and losses recognized in earnings are then subsequently recovered or passed back to customers in revenues through rates. When gains and losses are recognized in earnings, they are recognized in cost of sales for derivatives that correspond to commodity risk activities and are recognized in interest expense for derivatives that correspond to interest-rate risk activities.
Commodity Price Risk Programs. NiSource and NiSource’s utility customers are exposed to variability in cash flows associated with natural gas purchases and volatility in natural gas prices. NiSource purchases natural gas for sale and delivery to its retail, commercial and industrial customers, and for most customers the variability in the market price of gas is passed through in their rates. Some of NiSource’s utility subsidiaries offer programs where variability in the market price of gas is assumed by the respective utility. The objective of NiSource’s commodity price risk programs is to mitigate this gas cost variability, for NiSource or on behalf of its customers, associated with

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
natural gas purchases by economically hedging the various gas cost components by using a combination of futures, options, forward physical contracts, basis swap contracts or other derivative contract. Northern Indiana also uses derivative contracts to minimize risk associated with power price volatility. These commodity price risk programs and their respective accounting treatment are described below.
Northern Indiana, Northern Indiana Fuel and Light, Kokomo Gas, Columbia of Pennsylvania, Columbia of Kentucky, Columbia of Maryland and Columbia of Virginia use NYMEX derivative contracts to minimize risk associated with gas price volatility. These derivative programs must be marked to fair value, but because these derivatives are used within the framework of the companies’ GCR mechanism, regulatory assets or liabilities are recorded to offset the change in the fair value of these derivatives.
Northern Indiana, Columbia of Virginia and Columbia of Pennsylvania offer a fixed price program as an alternative to the standard GCR mechanism. These services provide customers with the opportunity to either lock in their gas cost or place a cap on the gas costs that would be charged in future months. In order to hedge the anticipated physical purchases associated with these obligations, forward physical contracts, NYMEX futures and NYMEX options are used to secure forward gas prices. The accounting treatment elected for these contracts is varied whereby certain of these contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges while some contracts are not. The normal purchase and normal sales exception is elected for forward physical contracts associated with these programs whereby delivery of the commodity is probable to occur.
Northern Indiana also offers a DependaBill program to its customers as an alternative to the standard tariff rate that is charged to residential customers. The program allows Northern Indiana customers to fix their total monthly bill in future months at a flat rate regardless of gas usage or commodity cost. In order to hedge the anticipated physical purchases associated with these obligations, forward physical contracts, NYMEX futures and NYMEX options are used to secure forward gas prices. The accounting treatment elected for these contracts is varied whereby certain of these contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges while some contracts are not. The normal purchase and normal sales exception is elected for forward physical contracts associated with these programs whereby delivery of the commodity is probable to occur.
For regulatory incentive purposes, Northern Indiana enters into gas purchase contracts at first of the month prices that give counterparties the daily option to either sell an additional package of gas at first of the month prices or recall the original volume to be delivered. Northern Indiana charges a fee for this option. The changes in the fair value of these options are primarily due to the changing expectations of the future intra-month volatility of gas prices. These written options are derivative instruments, must be marked to fair value and do not meet the requirement for hedge accounting treatment. However, Northern Indiana records the related gains and losses associated with these transactions as a regulatory asset or liability.
For regulatory incentive purposes, Columbia of Kentucky, Columbia of Ohio, Columbia of Pennsylvania, and Columbia of Maryland (collectively, the “Columbia LDCs”) enter into contracts that allow counterparties the option to sell gas to Columbia LDCs at first of the month prices for a particular month of delivery. Columbia LDCs charge the counterparties a fee for this option. The changes in the fair value of the options are primarily due to the changing expectations of the future intra-month volatility of gas prices. These Columbia LDCs defer a portion of the change in the fair value of the options as either a regulatory asset or liability based on the regulatory customer sharing mechanisms in place, with the remaining changes in fair value recognized currently in earnings.
As part of the MISO Day 2 initiative, Northern Indiana was allocated and has purchased FTRs. These FTRs help Northern Indiana offset congestion costs due to the MISO Day 2 activity. The FTRs are marked to fair value and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, but since congestion costs are recoverable through the fuel cost recovery mechanism, the related gains and losses associated with marking these derivatives to market are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. In the second quarter of 2008, MISO changed its allocation procedures from an allocation of FTRs to an allocation of ARRs, whereby Northern Indiana was allocated ARRs based on its historical use of the MISO administered transmission system. ARRs entitle the holder to a stream of revenues or charges based on the price of the associated FTR in the FTR auction. Northern Indiana converted the ARRs that were received in the second quarter of 2008 into FTRs.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
NiSource is also involved in commercial and industrial gas sales, whereby gas derivatives are utilized to hedge expected future gas purchases. These derivatives associated with commercial and industrial gas sales have generally been accounted for as cash flow hedges. NiSource also has corresponding forward physical sales contracts of natural gas with customers. These forward physical sales contracts are derivatives, which have generally qualified for and NiSource has elected the normal purchase and normal sales exception, and have not required mark-to-market accounting. In the second quarter of 2009, NiSource has engaged in a process to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business. As a result of this decision, certain forecasted transactions are no longer probable to occur, which triggered the mark-to-market treatment of certain forward sales contracts that were previously exempt under the normal purchase and normal sale exception. In addition, the mark-to-market gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to certain financial derivatives accounted for as a cash flow hedge were also recognized in income from discontinued operations beginning in the second quarter of 2009. The physical sales contracts marked-to-market had a fair value pre-tax gain from discontinued operations of approximately $139.7 million at September 30, 2009, while the financial cash flow hedge contracts recognized to income from discontinued operations in the same period had a fair value pre-tax loss of $118.3 million.
Commodity price risk program derivative contracted gross volumes are as follows:
                 
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
 
Commodity Price Risk Program:
               
 
Gas price volatility program derivatives (MMDth)
    35.5       31.2  
 
PPS program derivatives (MMDth)
    2.2       1.9  
 
DependaBill program derivatives (MMDth)
    0.8       0.3  
 
Regulatory incentive program derivatives (MMDth)
    6.7       2.9  
 
Gas marketing program derivatives (MMDth) (a)
    84.1       84.4  
 
Gas marketing forward physical derivatives (MMDth) (b)
    83.6       -  
 
Electric energy program FTR derivatives (mw)
    2,152       8,068  
 
(a)   Basis contract volumes not included in the above table were 101.2 MMDth and 83.5 MMDth as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
 
(b)   Gas marketing forward physical derivatives at December 31, 2008 received the normal purchase and normal sales exception and did not require mark-to-market accounting.
Interest Rate Risk Activities. NiSource recognizes that the prudent and selective use of derivatives may help it to lower its cost of debt capital and manage its interest rate exposure. NiSource Finance has entered into various “receive fixed” and “pay floating” interest rate swap agreements which modify the interest rate characteristics of its outstanding long-term debt from fixed to variable rate. These interest rate swaps also serve to hedge the fair market value of NiSource Finance’s outstanding debt portfolio. As of September 30, 2009, NiSource had $7.0 billion of outstanding debt, of which $1.1 billion is subject to fluctuations in interest rates as a result of the fixed-to-variable interest rate swap transactions. These interest rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges. NiSource had no net gain or loss recognized in earnings due to hedging ineffectiveness from prior years.
On May 12, 2004, NiSource Finance entered into fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreements in a notional amount of $660 million with six counterparties having a 6 1/2-year term. NiSource Finance will receive payments based upon a fixed 7.875% interest rate and pay a floating interest amount based on U.S. 6-month BBA LIBOR plus an average of 3.08% per annum. There was no exchange of premium at the initial date of the swaps. On September 15, 2008, NiSource Finance terminated a fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreement with Lehman Brothers having a notional amount of $110 million.
On July 22, 2003, NiSource Finance entered into fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreements in a notional amount of $500 million with four counterparties with an 11-year term. NiSource Finance will receive payments

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
based upon a fixed 5.40% interest rate and pay a floating interest amount based on U.S. 6-month BBA LIBOR plus an average of 0.78% per annum. There was no exchange of premium at the initial date of the swaps. In addition, each party has the right to cancel the swaps on July 15, 2013.
As stated above, on September 15, 2008, NiSource Finance terminated a fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreement with Lehman Brothers having a notional amount of $110 million. NiSource Finance elected to terminate the swap when Lehman Holdings Inc., guarantor under the applicable International Swaps and Derivatives Association agreement, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 14, 2008, which constituted an event of default under the swap agreement between NiSource Finance and Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. The mark-to-market close-out value of this swap at the September 15, 2008 termination date was determined to be $4.8 million and was fully reserved in the third quarter of 2008. The termination of this swap did not impact NiSource’s ability to assert hedge accounting for its remaining fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreements.
Contemporaneously with the issuance on September 16, 2005 of the 5.25% and 5.45% notes, NiSource Finance settled $900 million of forward starting interest rate swap agreements with six counterparties. NiSource paid an aggregate settlement payment of $35.5 million which is being amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense over the term of the underlying debt, resulting in an effective interest rate of 5.67% and 5.88%, respectively. As of September 30 2009, $14.8 million is in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to forward starting interest rate swap settlement. These derivative contracts are accounted for as a cash flow hedge.
NiSource’s location and fair value of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) were:
                 
 
    September 30,     Dcember 31,  
Asset Derivatives(in millions)   2009     2008  
      Balance Sheet Location   Fair Value     Fair Value  
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
               
Commodity price risk programs
               
Price risk management assets (current)
  $ -     $ 111.4  
Price risk management assets (noncurrent)
    -       (0.1 )
Assets of discontinued operations and assets held for sale (current) *
    -       32.1  
Assets of discontinued operations and assets held for sale (noncurrent) *
    -       105.0  
Interest rate risk activities
               
Price risk management assets (noncurrent)
    77.9       95.8  
 
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
  $ 77.9     $ 344.2  
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
               
Commodity price risk programs
               
Price risk management assets (current)
  $ 2.3     $ 6.9  
Assets of discontinued operations and assets held for sale (current) *
    248.6       -  
Assets of discontinued operations and assets held for sale (noncurrent) *
    156.3       -  
 
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
  $ 407.2     $ 6.9  
 
Total Asset Derivatives
  $ 485.1     $ 351.1  
 
 
*  
In the second quarter of 2009, NiSource has engaged in a process to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business. As a result of this decision, certain forecasted transactions are no longer probable to occur, which triggered the mark-to-market treatment of certain forward sales contracts that were previously exempt under the normal purchase and normal sale exception. In addition, the mark-to-market gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to certain financial derivatives accounted for as a cash flow hedge were also recognized in income from discontinued operations beginning in the second quarter of 2009.

26


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NISOURCE INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
                 
 
    September 30,     December 31,  
Liability Derivatives (in millions)   2009     2008  
 
Balance Sheet Location
  Fair Value     Fair Value  
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
               
Commodity price risk programs
               
Price risk management liabilities (current)
  $ 1.0     $ 184.6  
Price risk management liabilities (noncurrent)
    0.5       0.8  
Liabilities of discontinued operations and liabilities held for sale (current)
    -       49.0  
Liabilities of discontinued operations and liabilities held for sale (noncurrent)
    -       170.6  
 
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
  $ 1.5     $ 405.0  
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
               
Commodity price risk programs
               
Price risk management liabilities (current)
  $ 43.6     $ 52.9  
Price risk management liabilities (noncurrent)
    3.1       17.1  
Liabilities of discontinued operations and liabilities held for sale (current)
    236.8       -  
Liabilities of discontinued operations and liabilities held for sale (noncurrent)
    146.8       -  
 
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
  $ 430.3     $ 70.0  
 
Total Liability Derivatives
  $ 431.8     $ 475.0  
 
The effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited) were:
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Three Months Ended, (in millions)
                                         
                            Amount of Gain  
    Amount of Gain (Loss)             (Loss) Reclassified  
    Recognized in OCI on     Location of Gain     from AOCI into  
    Derivative (Effective     (Loss)     Income (Effective  
    Portion)
 
    Reclassified from AOCI     Portion)
 
       
Derivatives in Cash Flow   Sept. 30,     Sept. 30,     into Income (Effective     Sept. 30,     Sept. 30,  
Hedging Relationships   2009     2008     Portion)     2009     2008  
 
Commodity price risk programs
  $ 12.5     $ (97.6 )   Cost of Sales   $ (18.2 )   $ 9.7  
Interest rate risk activities
    0.4       0.4     Interest expense, net     -       -  
 
Total
  $ 12.9     $ (97.2 )           $ (18.2 )   $ 9.7  
 
Nine Months Ended, (in millions)
                                         
    Amount of Gain (Loss)             Amount of Gain (Loss)  
    Recognized in OCI on             Reclassified from AOCI  
    Derivative(Effective     Location of Gain(Loss)     into Income (Effective  
    Portion)
 
    Reclassified from AOCI     Portion)
 
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow   Sept. 30,     Sept. 30,     into Income (Effective     Sept. 30,     Sept. 30,  
Hedging Relationships   2009     2008     Portion)     2009     2008  
 
Commodity price risk programs
  $ 108.3     $ (71.1 )   Cost of Sales   $ (43.0 )   $ 35.2  
Interest rate risk activities
    1.2       1.2     Interest expense, net     -       -  
 
Total
  $ 109.5     $ (69.9 )           $ (43.0 )   $ 35.2  
 

27


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NISOURCE INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Three Months Ended, (in millions)
                         
    Location of Gain (Loss)     Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in  
    Recognized in Income on     Income of Derivative (Ineffective Portion  
    Derivative (Ineffective Portion and     and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness  
Derivatives in Cash Flow   Amount Excluded from     Testing)
 
 
Hedging Relationships   Effectivness Testing)     Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2008  
 
Commodity price risk programs
  Cost of Sales   $ -     $ -  
Interest rate risk activities
  Interest expense, net     -       -  
 
Total
          $ -     $ -  
 
Nine Months Ended, (in millions)
                         
        Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized  
    Location of Gain (Loss)     in Income of Derivative  
    Recognized in Income on     (Ineffective Portion and Amount  
    Derivative (Ineffective Portion     Excluded from Effectiveness  
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging   and Amount Excluded from     Testing)
 
 
Relationships   Effectivness Testing)     Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2008  
 
Commodity price risk programs
  Cost of Sales   $ -     $ (0.3 )
Interest rate risk activities
  Interest expense, net     -       -  
 
Total
          $ -     $ (0.3 )
 
Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships
Three Months Ended, (in millions)
                         
            Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized  
Derivatives in Fair Value   Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in     in Income on Derivatives
 
 
Hedging Relationships   Income on Derivatives     Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2008  
 
Interest rate risk activites
  Interest expense, net   $ 9.4     $ (1.0 )
 
Total
          $ 9.4     $ (1.0 )
 
Nine Months Ended, (in millions)
                         
            Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized  
Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging   Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in     in Income on Derivatives
 
 
Relationships   Income on Derivatives     Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2008  
 
Interest rate risk activites
  Interest expense, net   $ 24.7     $ 1.3  
 
Total
          $ 24.7     $ 1.3  
 
Three Months Ended, (in millions)
                         
            Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized  
Hedged Item in Fair Value   Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in     in Income on Related Hedged Items
 
 
Hedge Relationships   Income on Related Hedged Item     Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2008  
 
Fixed-rate debt
  Interest expense, net   $ (9.4 )   $ 1.0  
 
Total
          $ (9.4 )   $ 1.0  
 

28


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NISOURCE INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Nine Months Ended, (in millions)
                         
            Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized  
Hedged Item in Fair Value   Location of Gain (Loss)Recognized in     in Income on Related Hedged Items
 
 
Hedge Relationships   Income on Related Hedged Item     Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2008  
 
Fixed-rate debt
  Interest expense, net   $ (24.7 )   $ (1.3 )
 
Total
          $ (24.7 )   $ (1.3 )
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Three Months Ended, (in millions)
                         
            Amount of Realized/Unrealized  
            Gain Recognized in Income on  
Derivatives Not Designated   Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in     Derivatives *
 

 
as Hedging Instruments   Income on Derivatives     Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2008  
 
Commodity price risk programs
  Gas Distribution revenues   $ 3.0     $ 7.9  
Commodity price risk programs
  Cost of Sales     0.1       0.1  
Commodity price risk programs
  Income (Loss) from Discontinued                
  Operations - net of taxes     3.9       -  
 
Total
          $ 7.0     $ 8.0  
 
*   For the amounts of realized/unrealized gain recognized in income on derivatives disclosed in the table above, gains of $3.1 million and $8.0 million for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively, were deferred per regulatory orders. These amounts will be amortized to income over future periods up to twelve months per regulatory order.
Nine Months Ended, (in millions)
                         
          Amount of Realized/Unrealized  
          Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income  
Derivatives Not Designated as   Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized     on Derivatives *
 

 
Hedging Instruments   in Income on Derivatives     Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2008  
 
Commodity price risk programs
  Gas Distribution revenues   $ (42.9 )   $ 11.6  
Commodity price risk programs
  Cost of Sales     (0.9 )     1.2  
Commodity price risk programs
  Income (Loss) from Discontinued                
  Operations - net of taxes     24.7       -  
 
Total
          $ (19.1 )   $ 12.8  
 
*   For the amounts of realized/unrealized gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives disclosed in the table above, a loss of $44.2 million and gain of $13.3 million for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively, were deferred per regulatory orders. These amounts will be amortized to income over future periods up to twelve months per regulatory order.
During third quarter of 2009, NiSource reclassified no amounts related to its cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive loss to income (loss) due to the probability that certain forecasted transaction would not occur. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, NiSource reclassified $126.4 million ($75.1 million, net of tax) related to its cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive loss to income (loss) from discontinued operations due to the probability that certain forecasted transactions would not occur related to the unregulated natural gas marketing business that NiSource plans to sell. No amounts were reclassified in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008. It is anticipated that during the next twelve months the expiration and settlement of cash flow hedge contracts will result in income statement recognition of amounts currently classified in accumulated other comprehensive loss of approximately $38.8 million of loss, net of taxes.

29


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
NiSource’s derivative instruments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2009 do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.
Certain NiSource affiliates have physical commodity purchase agreements that meet the definition of a derivative for which NiSource has elected the normal purchase and normal sale exception. These agreements are exempt from the requirement of ASC Topic 815 - Derivatives and Hedging, and are not measured at fair value. Certain of these agreements do contain “ratings triggers” that require increases in collateral if the credit rating of NiSource or certain of its affiliates are rated below BBB- by Standard and Poor’s or below Baa3 by Moody’s. The collateral requirement from a downgrade for these normal purchase normal sale agreements below the ratings trigger levels would amount to approximately $0.1 million as of September 30, 2009.
NiSource had $62.4 million and $78.8 million of cash on deposit with brokers for margin requirements associated with open derivative positions reflected within, “Restricted cash,” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
9.     Fair Value Disclosures
A.     Fair Value Measurements. NiSource adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008 and non-financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2009. There was no impact on retained earnings as a result of the adoption.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements. The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on NiSource’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2009:
                                 
    Quoted Prices in     Significant              
    Active Markets     Other     Significant        
    for Identical     Observable     Unobservable        
Recurring Fair Value Measurements   Assets     Inputs     Inputs     Balance as of  
(in millions)   (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     September 30, 2009  
 
 
                               
Assets
                               
Price risk management assets
  $ 0.1     $ 77.9     $ 2.2     $ 80.2  
Price risk management assets (discontinued operations)
    243.0       161.9       -       404.9  
Available-for-sale securities
    35.6       39.8       -       75.4  
 
Total
  $ 278.7     $ 279.6     $ 2.2     $ 560.5  
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Price risk management liabilities
  $ 47.6     $ -     $ 0.6     $ 48.2  
Price risk management liabilities (discontinued operations)
    362.4       21.2       -       383.6  
 
Total
  $ 410.0     $ 21.2     $ 0.6     $ 431.8  
 
Price risk management assets and liabilities include commodity exchange-traded and non-exchange-based derivative contracts. Exchange-traded derivative contracts are generally based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. These financial assets and liabilities are secured with cash on deposit with the exchange; therefore nonperformance risk has not been incorporated into these valuations. Certain non-exchange-traded derivatives are valued using broker or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges. In such cases, these non-exchange-traded derivatives are classified within Level 2. Non-exchange-based derivative instruments include swaps, forwards, and options. In certain instances, these instruments may utilize models to measure fair value. The company uses a similar model to value similar instruments. Valuation models utilize various inputs that include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, other observable inputs for the asset or liability, and market-corroborated inputs, i.e., inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

30


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, the instrument is categorized in Level 2. Certain derivatives trade in less active markets with a lower availability of pricing information and models may be utilized in the valuation. When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instrument is categorized in Level 3. Credit risk is considered in the fair value calculation of derivative instruments that are not exchange-traded. Credit exposures are adjusted to reflect collateral agreements which reduce exposures.
Price risk management assets also include fixed-to-floating interest-rate swaps, which are designated as fair value hedges, as a means to achieve its targeted level of variable-rate debt as a percent of total debt. NiSource uses a calculation of future cash inflows and estimated future outflows related to the swap agreements, which are discounted and netted to determine the current fair value. Additional inputs to the present value calculation include the contract terms, as well as market parameters such as current and projected interest rates and volatility. As they are based on observable data and valuations of similar instruments, the interest-rate swaps are categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Credit risk is considered in the fair value calculation of the interest rate swap.
Price risk management assets and liabilities classified as an asset or liability of a discontinued operation also includes certain forward physical gas sales contracts that no longer qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception. The fair value of these contracts is determined primarily from Level 1 and Level 2 inputs, and is reflected in the table above as Level 2.
Available-for-sale securities are investments pledged as collateral for trust accounts related to NiSource’s wholly-owned insurance company. Available-for-sale securities are included within “Other investments” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). Securities classified within Level 1 include U.S. Treasury debt securities which are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets. NiSource values corporate and mortgage-backed debt securities using a matrix pricing model that incorporates market-based information. These securities trade less frequently and are classified within Level 2. Unrealized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income. The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were:
                                 
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
(in millions)   Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Available-for-sale debt securities, September 30, 2009
                               
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 35.2     $ 0.5     $ (0.1 )   $ 35.6  
Corporate/Other bonds
    37.2       2.6       -       39.8  
 
Total Available-for-sale debt securities, September 30, 2009
  $ 72.4     $ 3.1     $ (0.1 )   $ 75.4  
 
                                 
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
(in millions)   Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Available-for-sale debt securities, December 31, 2008
                               
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 34.9     $ 2.2     $ (0.2 )   $ 36.9  
Corporate/Other bonds
    34.0       1.2       (1.1 )     34.1  
 
Total Available-for-sale debt securities, December 31, 2008
  $ 68.9     $ 3.4     $ (1.3 )   $ 71.0  
 

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
The following tables present the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009:
                         
    Financial              
    Transmission            
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 (in millions)   Rights     Other Derivatives     Total  
 
 
                       
Balance as of July 1, 2009
  $ 2.7     $ (0.7 )   $ 2.0  
 
Total gains or losses (unrealized/realized)
                       
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities
    -       (0.5 )     (0.5 )
Purchases, issuances and settlements (net)
    (0.5 )     0.6       0.1  
 
Balance as of September 30, 2009
  $ 2.2     $ (0.6 )   $ 1.6  
 
                       
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held as of September 30, 2009
  $ -     $ (0.1 )   $ (0.1 )
 
                         
    Financial              
    Transmission              
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 (in millions)   Rights     Other Derivatives     Total  
 
 
                       
Balance as of January 1, 2009
  $ 2.6     $ 1.6     $ 4.2  
 
Total gains or losses (unrealized/realized)
                       
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities
    (0.3 )     (0.1 )     (0.4 )
Purchases, issuances and settlements (net)
    (0.1 )     (2.1 )     (2.2 )
 
Balance as of September 30, 2009
  $ 2.2     $ (0.6 )   $ 1.6  
 
                       
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held as of September 30, 2009
  $ -     $ (0.1 )   $ (0.1 )
 
As part of the MISO Day 2 initiative, Northern Indiana was allocated and has purchased FTRs. These rights help Northern Indiana offset congestion costs due to the MISO Day 2 activity. These instruments are considered derivatives and are valued utilizing forecasted congestion source and sink prices in the Day Ahead market. They are classified as Level 3 and reflected in the table above. The FTRs do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, but since congestion costs are recoverable through the fuel cost recovery mechanism, the related gains and losses associated with marking these derivatives to market are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. Northern Indiana also writes options for regulatory incentive purposes which are also considered Level 3 valuations. Realized gains and losses for these Level 3 recurring items are included in income within Cost of sales on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited). Unrealized gains and losses from Level 3 recurring items are included within, Regulatory assets or Regulatory liabilities, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements. NiSource is engaged in a process to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business. Net assets for the unregulated natural gas marketing business have been accounted for as assets of discontinued operations and the results of operations and cash flows of the unregulated natural gas marketing business were classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. As a result of the letter of intent signed during the second quarter of 2009, other assets were recorded at fair value and a pre-tax impairment loss of $11.9 million was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The other assets of the unregulated natural gas marketing business were valued based on the anticipated adjusted purchase price included in the letter of intent which is an unobservable input and is considered a Level 3 valuation.
NDC Douglas Properties, a subsidiary of NiSource Development Company, is in the process of exiting some of its low income housing investments. During the third quarter of 2009 a potential buyer was able to secure financing to purchase two properties previously recorded as assets held for sale as well as three additional properties. The expected proceeds from the sale of the five properties were less than the net book value resulting in a pre-tax

32


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
impairment charge of $4.5 million recognized during the third quarter. The NDC Douglas Properties assets were valued based on the anticipated adjusted purchase price included in the letter of intent which is an unobservable input and is considered a Level 3 valuation.
NDC Douglas Properties owns four properties which do not currently meet the assets held for sale criteria as their estimated sale date is greater than one year. Based on previous impairments recorded on other NDC Douglas Properties, the properties were tested for impairment during the third quarter of 2009. The test resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of $4.4 million recognized during the third quarter. The assets were valued based on a discounted cash flow model utilizing estimated future cash flows which are unobservable inputs. The valuation is considered a Level 3 valuation.
The following table presents long-lived assets measured and recorded at fair value on NiSource’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) on a non-recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2009:
                                         
            Quoted Prices in     Significant              
            Active Markets     Other     Significant        
Non-Recurring Fair Value           for Identical     Observable     Unobservable        
Measurements   Balance as of     Assets     Inputs     Inputs     Total Gains  
(in millions)   Sept.30, 2009     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     (Losses)  
 
 
                                       
Assets
                                       
 
                                       
Property, Plant & Equipment
  $ 7.0     $ -     $ -     $ 7.0     $ (4.4 )
Long-lived net assets held for sale
    24.2       -       -       24.2     $ (16.4 )
 
Total
  $ 31.2     $ -     $ -     $ 31.2     $ (20.8 )
 
B.     Financial Instrument Fair Value Measurements. In April 2009, the FASB amended ASC Topic 825 – Financial Instruments to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as annual financial statements. The additional guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted. NiSource adopted this additional guidance on April 1, 2009 and therefore has included the following disclosures.
NiSource has certain financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but nevertheless are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, customer deposits and short-term borrowings. NiSource’s long-term borrowings are recorded at historical amounts unless designated as a hedged item in a fair value hedge.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.
Investments. NiSource has corporate owned life insurance, which is measured and recorded at cash surrender value. NiSource’s investments in corporate owned life insurance at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were $23.2 million and $17.7 million, respectively.
Long-term Debt. The fair values of these securities are estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the rates offered for securities of the same remaining maturities. Certain premium costs associated with the early settlement of long-term debt are not taken into consideration in determining fair value.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
The carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments were as follows:
                                 
    Carrying     Estimated     Carrying     Estimated  
    Amount     Fair Value     Amount     Fair Value  
(in millions)   Sept. 30, 2009     Sept. 30, 2009     Dec. 31, 2008     Dec. 31, 2008  
 
Long-term investments
  $ 24.1     $ 24.1     $ 18.9     $ 18.9  
Long-term debt (including current portion)
    6,994.5       7,161.0       6,413.2       4,929.1  
 
10.     Transfers of Financial Assets
On May 14, 2004, Columbia of Ohio entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originated, to CORC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia of Ohio. CORC, in turn, was party to an agreement with Dresdner Bank AG, also dated May 14, 2004, under the terms of which it sold an undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit. On October 1, 2009, CORC and Commerzbank AG (successor to Dresdner Bank AG) terminated their agreement, while Columbia of Ohio and CORC concurrently terminated their agreement. In conjunction with the termination of the sales agreement on October 1, 2009, Columbia of Ohio made a payment of $67.8 million to Commerzbank AG in exchange for rights in the receivables held by Commerzbank AG.
On December 30, 2003, Northern Indiana entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, all of its trade receivables, as they originated, to NRC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Indiana. NRC, in turn, was party to an agreement with Citibank, N.A. under the terms of which it sold an undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit. On May 20, 2009, NRC and Citibank, North America, Inc., terminated their agreement while Northern Indiana and NRC concurrently terminated their agreement.
On October 23, 2009, Columbia of Ohio and Northern Indiana entered into new agreements to sell, without recourse, substantially all of their respective trade receivables. Refer to Note 20, “Subsequent Events,” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
NiSource’s accounts receivable programs qualify for sale accounting based upon the conditions met in ASC Topic 860 — Transfers and Servicing. In the agreements, all transferred assets have been isolated from the originator and put presumptively beyond the reach of the originator and its creditors. The originators do not retain any interest in the sold receivables.
All accounts receivables sold to the commercial paper conduits are valued at face value, which approximate fair value due to its short-term nature. The amount of the undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivable sold is determined in part by required loss reserves under the agreements.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
The following tables reflect the gross and net receivables sold as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 as well as the retained interests, net receivables derecognized, and cash flows during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 for Columbia of Ohio and Northern Indiana:
                 
(in millions)   September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
 
Receivables interest
  $ 106.8     $ 657.8  
Less: Retained interest
    39.1       302.2  
 
Net receivables derecognized
  $ 67.7     $ 355.6  
 
 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
(in millions)   September 30, 2009     September 30, 2009  
 
Operating cash flow
               
Proceeds from receivables sold
  $ 249.2     $ 1,939.1  
Collections remitted to commercial paper conduit
    (281.5 )     (2,226.9 )
 
Net cash flows used for operations
  $ (32.3 )   $ (287.8 )
 
               
Receivables repurchased
  $ -     $ 65.3  
 
               
Other, net expense - fees paid
  $ 1.1     $ 8.8  
 
11.     Goodwill Assets
NiSource tests its goodwill for impairment annually as of June 30 each year unless indicators, events, or circumstances would require an interim review. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit, which generally is an operating segment or a component of an operating segment. Certain components of an operating segment with similar economic characteristics are aggregated and deemed a single reporting unit. Goodwill amounts are generally allocated to the reporting units based upon the amounts allocated at the time of their respective acquisition. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process which requires NiSource to make estimates regarding the fair value of the reporting unit. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired, thus the second step of the impairment test is not required. However, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss (if any), which compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
NiSource has four reporting units that carry or are allocated goodwill. NiSource’s goodwill assets at September 30, 2009 were $3,677.3 million pertaining primarily to the acquisition of Columbia on November 1, 2000. Of this amount, approximately $1,975.5 million is allocated to Columbia Transmission Operations (which is comprised of Columbia Transmission and Columbia Gulf) and $1,683.0 million is allocated to Columbia Distribution Operations (which is comprised of Columbia of Kentucky, Columbia of Maryland, Columbia of Ohio, Columbia of Pennsylvania and Columbia of Virginia). In addition, the goodwill balances at September 30, 2009 for Northern Indiana Fuel and Light and Kokomo Gas were $13.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively.
In estimating the fair value of the Columbia Transmission Operations and Columbia Distribution Operations reporting units for the June 30, 2009 test, NiSource used a weighted average of the income and market approach. Under the income approach, NiSource utilized a valuation technique based on discounted cash flows that incorporates internal projections of expected future cash flows and operating results to estimate a fair value of each reporting unit. Under the market approach, NiSource utilized three market-based models to estimate the fair value of the reporting units: (i) the comparable company multiples method, which estimated fair value of each reporting unit by analyzing EBITDA multiples of a peer group of publicly traded companies and applying that multiple to the reporting units EBITDA (ii) the comparable transactions method, which valued the reporting unit based on observed

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
EBITDA multiples from completed transactions of peer companies and applying that multiple to the reporting unit’s EBITDA and (iii) the market capitalization method, which used the NiSource share price and allocated NiSource’s total market capitalization among both the goodwill and non-goodwill reporting units based on the relative EBITDA, revenues and operating income of each reporting unit. Each of the three market approaches were calculated with the assistance of a third party valuation firm, using multiples and assumptions inherent in today’s market. The degree of judgment involved and reliability of inputs into each model were considered in weighting the various approaches. The resulting estimate of fair value of the reporting units, using the weighted average of the income and market approaches, exceeded their carrying values, indicating that no impairment exists, under Step 1 of the annual impairment test.
Certain key assumptions used in determining the fair values of the reporting units included planned operating results, discount rates and the long-term outlook for growth. NiSource used discount rates of 5.68% and 6.04% for Columbia Transmission Operations and Columbia Distribution Operations, respectively. Management also performed a sensitivity analysis using discount rates of 6.55% and 6.91% for Columbia Transmission Operations and Columbia Distribution Operations, respectively. Using the discount rates of 5.68% and 6.04% for Columbia Transmission Operations and Columbia Distribution Operations, respectively, the excess fair values were approximately $1,500 million for each reporting unit. If the discount rates were increased to 6.55% and 6.91% for Columbia Transmission Operations and Columbia Distribution Operations, respectively, the excess fair value would be approximately $700 million and approximately $500 million, respectively. Under either discount rate scenario, the impairment test indicated that a write-down of goodwill was not required.
Goodwill related to the acquisition of Northern Indiana Fuel and Light and Kokomo Gas of $13.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively, was also tested for impairment as of June 30, 2009 using an income approach to determine the fair value of each of these reporting units. A discount rate range of 6.04% to 6.91% and growth rates, factoring in the regulatory environment and growth initiatives, for each reporting unit were the significant assumptions used in determining the fair values using the income approach. The step 1 goodwill impairment test resulted in the fair value of each of these reporting units exceeding the carrying value.
NiSource considered whether there were any events or changes in circumstances during the third quarter of 2009 that would reduce the fair value of any of the reporting units below their carrying amounts and necessitate another goodwill impairment test. No such indicators were noted which would require goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter.
12.     Income Taxes
NiSource’s interim effective tax rates reflect the estimated annual effective tax rates for 2009 and 2008, respectively, adjusted for tax expense associated with certain discrete items. Because pre-tax book income is relatively low in the third quarter and because significant discrete adjustments to income tax expense were recorded in both the third quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2008 (see below), a discussion of third quarter effective tax rates is not meaningful. For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, income tax expense was $6.8 million on a pre-tax book loss of $2.9 million. For the quarter ended September 30, 2008, an income tax benefit of $5.1 million was recorded on pre-tax book income of $26.0 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, income tax expense was $110.5 million on pre-tax book income of $251.8 million, while for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 income tax expense was $114.9 million on pre-tax book income of $354.3 million. These amounts equate to an effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 of 43.9% and 32.4%, respectively. These effective tax rates differ from the federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to the effects of tax credits, state income taxes, utility rate-making, other permanent book-to-tax differences such as the electric production tax deduction provided under Internal Revenue Code Section 199, and other discrete adjustments discussed in detail below.
During the third quarter of 2009, NiSource received permission from the IRS to change its tax method of capitalizing certain costs which it applied on a prospective basis to the federal and state income tax returns filed for its 2008 tax year. The one-time cumulative adjustment of $1.1 billion reflected in the 2008 income tax return for this item created a large tax net operating loss which was carried back and applied against our previously filed 2006

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
and 2007 tax returns and resulted in income tax refunds of $295.7 million. In October 2009, $263.5 million of such refunds were received, with the balance expected to be received in the fourth quarter of 2009 and subsequent periods. The loss for the 2008 tax year resulted in $2.1 million of additional federal income tax expense recorded in the third quarter of 2009 for the loss of Section 199 deductions In addition, the impact of certain state’s restrictions on loss carrybacks and carryforwards resulted in a net charge to state income tax expense of $5.5 million. Total third quarter of 2009 expense relating to the method change was $7.6 million.
During the third quarter of 2008, the Governor of Massachusetts signed into law a bill that significantly changed the Massachusetts corporate income tax regime. Under the new law, which became effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, NiSource calculates its Massachusetts income tax liability on a unitary basis, meaning that the income tax obligation to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is determined based on an apportioned share of all of NiSource’s income, rather than just the income of NiSource’s subsidiaries doing business in Massachusetts. Because of NiSource’s substantial operations outside of Massachusetts, the new law had the impact of reducing the deferred income tax liability to Massachusetts. NiSource recognized the impact of this tax law change as a $13.5 million reduction in income tax expense in the third quarter of 2008. Third quarter and nine months ended 2009 income tax expense reflects the impact of the new law on a prospective basis.
Absent the items discussed above, NiSource’s effective tax rates for the third quarter of 2009 and third quarter of 2008 would have been 27.6% and 32.3%, respectively.
The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased by 11.5%. In addition to the accounting method change discussed above, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased due to an adjustment recorded in the second quarter of 2009 that increased deferred state income taxes as a result of the transfer of unregulated natural gas marketing business assets and liabilities to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, an increase in tax expense related to AFUDC-Equity and by an increase in tax expense due to certain non-deductible expenses. The nine months ended September 30, 2008 was reduced by the impact of the Massachusetts law change discussed above.
As discussed above, NiSource has been granted permission to change its tax method of accounting for capitalizing certain costs and has taken certain positions around that issue in its 2008 income tax return. NiSource’s determination of what constitutes a capital cost versus ordinary expense will be reviewed upon audit by the IRS and may be subject to subsequent adjustment. As such, the status of this tax return position is uncertain at this time. In the third quarter of 2009, NiSource added $122.2 million to its liability for unrecognized tax benefits for Uncertain Tax Positions, of which NiSource will receive $1.1 million in refunds. The remaining $121.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits in filed returns is offset by outstanding receivables and net operating loss carryforwards. NiSource anticipates it will settle the entire tax position, including interest, at the completion of the IRS audit of the 2008 return. There have been no other material changes in 2009 to NiSource’s Uncertain Tax Positions recorded as of December 31, 2008.
13.     Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
NiSource provides defined contribution plans and noncontributory defined benefit retirement plans that cover its employees. Benefits under the defined benefit retirement plans reflect the employees’ compensation, years of service and age at retirement. Additionally, NiSource provides health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees. The majority of employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age while working for NiSource. The expected cost of such benefits is accrued during the employees’ years of service. Current rates of rate-regulated companies include postretirement benefit costs, including amortization of the regulatory assets that arose prior to inclusion of these costs in rates. For most plans, cash contributions are remitted to grantor trusts.
NiSource expects to make contributions of approximately $104.2 million to its pension plans and approximately $52.9 million to its postretirement medical and life plans in 2009, which could change depending on market

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
conditions. Through September 30, 2009, NiSource has contributed $102.4 million to its pension plans and $41.2 million to its other postretirement benefit plans.
The following table provides the components of the plans’ net periodic benefits cost for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
                                 
  Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
Three Months Ended September 30, (in millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
                               
Service cost
  $ 9.0     $ 9.3     $ 2.2     $ 2.3  
Interest cost
    35.8       33.1       12.0       11.9  
Expected return on assets
    (30.5 )     (48.5 )     (4.3 )     (6.3 )
Amortization of transitional obligation
    -       -       2.0       2.1  
Amortization of prior service cost
    0.9       1.1       0.2       0.1  
Recognized actuarial loss
    16.5       0.3       2.0       1.1  
 
Total Net Periodic Benefits Cost
  $ 31.7     $ (4.7 )   $ 14.1     $ 11.2  
 
                                 
  Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
                               
Service cost
  $ 27.0     $ 28.0     $ 6.6     $ 7.0  
Interest cost
    107.4       99.3       35.8       35.7  
Expected return on assets
    (91.4 )     (145.5 )     (12.7 )     (18.9 )
Amortization of transitional obligation
    -       -       6.0       6.1  
Amortization of prior service cost
    2.9       3.2       0.8       0.5  
Recognized actuarial loss
    49.3       0.9       5.8       3.1  
 
Total Net Periodic Benefits Cost
  $ 95.2     $ (14.1 )   $ 42.3     $ 33.5  
 
The significant increase in pension cost for 2009 is due to a $797.7 million, or 35.6%, reduction in pension plan assets in 2008 due to a 30.3% negative return on assets for the year resulting from the overall market decline and benefit payments of $165.9 million made during 2008. For the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, pension and other postretirement benefit cost of approximately $23.4 million and income of $4.5 million, respectively, was capitalized as a component of plant or recognized as a regulatory asset or liability consistent with regulatory orders for certain of NiSource’s regulated businesses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, pension and other postretirement benefit cost of approximately $48.0 million and income of $7.1 million, respectively, was capitalized as a component of plant or recognized as a regulatory asset or liability consistent with regulatory orders for certain of NiSource’s regulated businesses.
14.     Long-Term Debt
On April 9, 2009, NiSource Finance announced the final closing of a $385 million senior unsecured two-year bank term loan with a syndicate of banks maturing February 11, 2011. Borrowings under the bank term loan have an effective cost of LIBOR plus 538 basis points. On February 16, 2009, NiSource announced the initial closing of the bank term loan at the level of $265 million. Under an accordion feature, NiSource was able to increase the loan by $120 million prior to final closing.
On March 31, 2009, NiSource Finance announced that it was commencing a cash tender offer for up to $300 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 7.875% notes due 2010. On April 28, 2009, NiSource Finance announced that $250.6 million of these notes were successfully tendered.
On March 9, 2009, NiSource Finance issued $600.0 million of 10.75% unsecured notes that mature March 15, 2016.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
During January 2009, NiSource repurchased $32.4 million of the $450.0 million floating rate notes scheduled to mature in November 2009 and $67.6 million of the $1.0 billion 7.875% unsecured notes scheduled to mature in November 2010.
15.     Share-Based Compensation
NiSource currently issues long-term incentive grants to key management employees under a long-term incentive plan approved by stockholders on April 13, 1994 (1994 Plan). The 1994 Plan, as amended and restated, permits the following types of grants, separately or in combination: nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, contingent stock units and dividend equivalents payable on grants of options, performance units and contingent stock awards.
At September 30, 2009, there were 27,530,621 shares reserved for future awards under the amended and restated 1994 Plan.
NiSource recognized stock-based employee compensation expense of $8.3 million and $7.2 million and related tax benefits of $3.7 million and $2.3 million during the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
As of September 30, 2009, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards amounted to $14.6 million, which will be amortized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of two years.
Stock Options. As of September 30, 2009, approximately 4.4 million options were outstanding and exercisable with a weighted average strike price of $22.50. The strike price of all issued options was above the market price of NiSource stock as of September 30, 2009.
Restricted Awards. In the first and third quarters of 2009, NiSource granted restricted stock units of 308,496 and 2,284, respectively, subject to service conditions. The total grant date fair-value of the restricted units was $3.0 million, based on the average market price of NiSource’s common stock at the date of each grant, which will be expensed net of forfeitures ratably over the three year requisite service period. The service conditions lapse on January 31, 2012 when 100% of the shares vest. If the employee terminates employment before January 31, 2012 (1) due to retirement, having attained age 55 and completed ten years of service, or (2) due to death or disability, the employment conditions will lapse with respect to a pro rata portion of the restricted units on the date of termination. Termination due to any other reason will result in all restricted units awarded being forfeited effective the employee’s date of termination. Employees will be entitled to receive dividends upon vesting. As of September 30, 2009, 553,814 nonvested restricted stock units were granted and outstanding.
Contingent Stock Units. In the first and third quarters of 2009, NiSource granted contingent stock units of 925,490 and 6,853, respectively, subject to performance conditions. The grant date fair-value of the award was $9.1 million, based on the average market price of NiSource’s common stock at the date of each grant which will be expensed net of forfeitures over the three year requisite service period. The performance conditions are based on achievement of non-GAAP financial measures: cumulative net operating earnings, that NiSource defines as income from continuing operations adjusted for certain items; cumulative funds from operations that NiSource defines as net operating cash flows provided by continuing operations; and total debt that NiSource defines as total debt adjusted for significant movement in natural gas prices and other adjustments determined by the Board. The service conditions lapse on January 31, 2012 when 100% of the shares vest. If the employee terminates employment before January 31, 2012 (1) due to retirement, having attained age 55 and completed ten years of service, or (2) due to death or disability, the employment conditions will lapse with respect to a pro rata portion of the contingent units on the date of termination. Termination due to any other reason will result in all contingent units awarded being forfeited effective the employee’s date of termination. Employees will be entitled to receive dividends upon vesting. As of September 30, 2009, 1,695,090 nonvested contingent stock units were granted and outstanding.
Time-accelerated Awards. NiSource awarded restricted shares and restricted stock units that contain provisions for time-accelerated vesting to key executives under the 1994 Plan in January 2004. The total shareholder return

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
measures established were not met; therefore these grants do not have an accelerated vesting period. At September 30, 2009, NiSource had 270,785 awards outstanding which contained the time-accelerated provisions.
Non-employee Director Awards. The Amended and Restated Non-employee Director Stock Incentive Plan provides for awards of restricted stock, stock options and restricted stock units, which vest immediately. The plan requires that restricted stock units be distributed to the directors after their separation from the Board. As of September 30, 2009, 89,860 restricted shares and 292,961 restricted stock units had been issued under the Plan.
16.     Other Commitments and Contingencies
A.     Guarantees and Indemnities. As a part of normal business, NiSource and certain subsidiaries enter into various agreements providing financial or performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. Such agreements include guarantees and stand-by letters of credit. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness otherwise attributed to a subsidiary on a stand-alone basis, thereby facilitating the extension of sufficient credit to accomplish the subsidiaries’ intended commercial purposes. The total commercial commitments in existence at September 30, 2009 and the years in which they expire were:
                                                         
(in millions)   Total     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     After  
 
Guarantees of subsidiaries debt
  $ 6,438.4     $ 417.6     $ 681.8     $ 385.0     $ 315.0     $ 545.0     $ 4,094.0  
Guarantees supporting commodity transactions of subsidiaries
    452.5       205.0       242.2       -       -       -       5.3  
Lines of credit
    200.0       200.0       -       -       -       -       -  
Letters of credit
    152.4       0.5       150.8       0.1       -       -       1.0  
Other guarantees
    782.7       61.7       2.9       -       14.8       224.9       478.4  
 
Total commercial commitments
  $ 8,026.0     $ 884.8     $ 1,077.7     $ 385.1     $ 329.8     $ 769.9     $ 4,578.7  
 
Guarantees of Subsidiaries Debt. NiSource has guaranteed the payment of $6.4 billion of debt for various wholly-owned subsidiaries including NiSource Finance, and through a support agreement, Capital Markets, which is reflected on NiSource’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) as of September 30, 2009. The subsidiaries are required to comply with certain financial covenants under the debt instruments and in the event of default, NiSource would be obligated to pay the debt’s principal and related interest. NiSource does not anticipate its subsidiaries will have any difficulty maintaining compliance.
Guarantees Supporting Commodity Transactions of Subsidiaries. NiSource has issued guarantees, which support up to approximately $452.5 million of commodity-related payments for its current and former subsidiaries involved in energy marketing activities. These guarantees were provided to counterparties in order to facilitate physical and financial transactions involving natural gas and electricity. To the extent liabilities exist under the commodity-related contracts subject to these guarantees, such liabilities are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).
Lines and Letters of Credit. NiSource Finance maintains a $1.5 billion five-year revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks which has a termination date of July 7, 2011. This facility provides a reasonable cushion of short-term liquidity for general corporate purposes including meeting cash requirements driven by volatility in natural gas prices, as well as provides for the issuance of letters of credit. During September 2008, NiSource Finance entered into a new $500 million six-month revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of banks led by Barclays Capital that was originally due to expire on March 23, 2009. However, on February 13, 2009, the six-month credit facility was terminated in conjunction with the closing of a new two-year bank term loan. At September 30, 2009, NiSource had $200 million in short-term borrowings outstanding under its credit facility and has issued stand-by letters of credit of approximately $152.4 million for the benefit of third parties.
Other Guarantees or Obligations. On June 30, 2008, NiSource sold Whiting Clean Energy to BPAE for $216.7 million which included $16.1 million in working capital. The agreement with BPAE contains representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions. NiSource has executed purchase and sales agreement guarantees

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
totaling $220 million which guarantee performance of PEI’s covenants, agreements, obligations, liabilities, representations and warranties under the agreement with BPAE. No amounts related to the purchase and sales agreement guarantees are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) as of September 30, 2009.
NiSource has additional purchase and sales agreement guarantees totaling $30.0 million, which guarantee performance of the seller’s covenants, agreements, obligations, liabilities, representations and warranties under the agreements. No amounts related to the purchase and sales agreement guarantees are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Management believes that the likelihood NiSource would be required to perform or otherwise incur any significant losses associated with any of the aforementioned guarantees is remote.
On August 29, 2007, Millennium entered into a bank credit agreement to finance the construction of the Millennium pipeline project. As a condition precedent to the credit agreement, NiSource issued a guarantee securing payment for 47.5%, its indirect ownership interest percentage, of amounts borrowed under the credit agreement up until such time as the amounts payable under the agreement are paid in full. As of September 30, 2009, Millennium owed $798.9 million under the financing agreements, of which NiSource guaranteed $379.5 million. NiSource recorded an accrued liability of approximately $7.6 million related to the fair value of this guarantee. The permanent financing for Millennium is expected to be completed when debt capital market conditions improve. In the interim, Millennium will continue to be funded by the $800 million credit agreement, which extends through August 2010.
On June 29, 2006, Columbia Transmission, Piedmont, and Hardy Storage entered into multiple agreements to finance the construction of the Hardy Storage project, which is accounted for by NiSource as an equity investment. Under the financing agreement, Columbia Transmission issued guarantees securing payment for 50% of any amounts issued in connection with Hardy Storage up until such time as the project is placed in service and operated within certain specified parameters. As of September 30, 2009, Hardy Storage owed $123.4 million under the financing agreement, for which Columbia Transmission recorded an accrued liability of approximately $1.2 million related to the fair value of its guarantee securing payment for $61.7 million which is 50% of the amount borrowed.
NiSource has issued other guarantees supporting derivative related payments associated with interest rate swap agreements issued by NiSource Finance, operating leases for many of its subsidiaries and for other agreements entered into by its current and former subsidiaries.
B.     Other Legal Proceedings. In the normal course of its business, NiSource and its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these currently asserted claims will not have a material adverse impact on NiSource’s consolidated financial position.
In the case of Tawney, et al. v. Columbia Natural Resources, Inc., the Plaintiffs, who are West Virginia landowners, filed a lawsuit in early 2003 against CNR alleging that CNR underpaid royalties on gas produced on their land by improperly deducting post-production costs and not paying a fair value for the gas. In December 2004, the court granted plaintiffs’ motion to add NiSource and Columbia as defendants. Plaintiffs also claimed that the defendants fraudulently concealed the deduction of post-production charges. The court certified the case as a class action that includes any person who, after July 31, 1990, received or is due royalties from CNR (and its predecessors or successors) on lands lying within the boundary of the state of West Virginia. All claims by the government of the United States are excluded from the class. Although NiSource sold CNR in 2003, NiSource remains obligated to manage this litigation and for the majority of any damages ultimately awarded to the plaintiffs. On January 27, 2007, the jury hearing the case returned a verdict against all defendants in the amount of $404.3 million; this is comprised of $134.3 million in compensatory damages and $270 million in punitive damages. In January 2008, the Defendants filed their petition for appeal, and on March 24, 2008, the Defendants filed their amended petition for appeal with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. On May 22, 2008, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals refused the defendants petition for appeal. On August 22, 2008, Defendants filed their petitions to the United States Supreme Court for writ of certiorari. The Plaintiffs filed their response on September 22, 2008. On September 19, 2008, the West Virginia Supreme Court issued an order extending the stay of the judgment until proceedings before the United States Supreme Court are fully concluded. Given the West Virginia Court’s refusal of the appeal, NiSource adjusted its reserve in the second quarter of 2008 to reflect the portion of the trial court judgment for which NiSource would be responsible, inclusive of interest. This amount was included in “Legal and

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
environmental reserves,” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008. On October 24, 2008, the West Virginia Circuit Court for Roane County, West Virginia, preliminarily approved a settlement agreement with a total settlement amount of $380 million. The settlement received final approval by the Court on November 22, 2008. NiSource’s share of the settlement liability is up to $338.8 million. NiSource has complied with its obligations under the settlement agreement to fund $85.5 million in the qualified settlement fund by January 13, 2009. Additionally, NiSource provided a letter of credit on January 13, 2009 in the amount of $254 million and thereby complied with its obligation to secure the unpaid portion of the settlement. The trial court entered its order discharging the judgment on January 20, 2009. The Court is supervising the administration of the settlement proceeds. As of September 30, 2009, NiSource has contributed $208.2 million into the qualified settlement fund, $25 million of which was paid in 2008. NiSource has since contributed an additional $27.7 million. As of September, 30, 2009, $131.2 million of the associated letter of credit remains outstanding. NiSource will be required to make additional payments, pursuant to the settlement, upon notice from the Class Administrator.
C.     Environmental Matters.
General. The operations of NiSource are subject to extensive and evolving Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations intended to protect the public health and the environment. Such environmental laws and regulations affect operations as they relate to impacts on air, water and land.
A reserve of $75.1 million and $73.1 million has been recorded as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, to cover probable corrective actions at sites where NiSource has environmental remediation liability. Regulatory assets have been recorded to the extent environmental expenditures are expected to be recovered in rates. NiSource accrues for costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when the incurrence of such costs is probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, regardless of when the expenditures are actually made. The undiscounted estimated future expenditures are based on many factors including currently enacted laws and regulations, existing technology and estimated site-specific costs whereby assumptions may be made about the nature and extent of site contamination, the extent of cleanup efforts, costs of alternative cleanup methods and other variables. NiSource’s estimated environmental remediation liability will be refined as events in the remediation process occur. Actual remediation costs may differ materially from NiSource’s estimates due to the dependence on the factors listed above.
On June 26, 2009, the United States House of Representatives passed a climate change bill, titled the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (“ACES”). The comprehensive bill proposes a multi-sector, market-based greenhouse gas cap and trade system starting in 2012 for electrical suppliers, 2014 for natural gas pipeline companies, and 2016 for natural gas distribution companies. The cap and trade system would require emissions from capped sources to be reduced 3% below 2005 levels by 2012 and 83% by 2050. ACES would allocate natural gas distribution companies and electric suppliers a certain number of emission allowances without charge, but these allocations would decrease over time, phasing out entirely by 2030. Gas pipeline companies would not receive any emission allowances under ACES. ACES also contains renewable energy standards, which would require retail electric suppliers to provide specified portions of their power from renewable sources by targeted dates. In addition, ACES would mandate performance standards for particular services, which could impact new coal-fired generating units and natural gas compression stations. At the same time, the Senate has been considering its own renewable energy standard and on September 30, 2009, Senators Kerry and Boxer introduced a discussion draft of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act climate change bill.
If ACES or other Federal comprehensive climate change bills were to pass both Houses of Congress and be enacted into law, the actual impact on NiSource’s financial performance would depend on a number of factors, including the overall level of greenhouse gas reductions and amount of renewable energy required under the final legislation, the degree to which offsets may be used for compliance, the amount of recovery allowed from customers, and the extent to which NiSource would be entitled to receive CO2 allowances without having to purchase them in an auction or on an open market. ACES or other Federal legislation could result in additional expense or compliance costs that may not be fully recoverable from customers and, as such, could materially impact NiSource’s financial results. A full and accurate cost estimate cannot be made at the time.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
On April 2, 2007, in Massachusetts v. EPA, the Supreme Court ruled that the EPA does have authority under the CAA to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases if it is determined that greenhouse gases have a negative impact on human health or the environment. On April 17, 2009, the EPA issued a proposed rule, which would make the following findings: (a) that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere endanger the public health and welfare within the meaning of the CAA and (b) that emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from new motor vehicles contribute to the mix of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. On September 29, 2009, the EPA proposed a rule to regulate as a “pollutant” a class of greenhouse gases that are emitted from light-duty motor vehicles. The EPA has stated its intention to finalize this rule by March 2010. Although the EPA’s proposed rules deal only with new motor vehicles, the rules could be a precursor for the regulation of other greenhouse gas sources by the EPA under the CAA. The cost impact of any future regulation cannot be determined at this time.
On September 30, 2009, the EPA announced the proposed Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule (the “Tailoring Rule”). The proposed rule would become effective when greenhouse gases become a “pollutant subject to regulation” under the CAA, which would happen if the EPA’s light-duty motor vehicle rule mentioned above is final at that time. The EPA proposes to narrow the definition of a major stationary source that emits greenhouse gases for purposes of complying with the PSD and the Title V operating permit programs. Without the Tailoring Rule, the PSD and Title V programs will automatically include greenhouse gases at the current 100 to 250 tpy major stationary source applicability threshold. The rule proposes to raise the applicability threshold to 25,000 tpy and the significance threshold for modified sources to between 10,000 and 25,000 tpy of carbon dioxide equivalent. NiSource will continue to monitor developments in this matter.
On September 22, 2009, the EPA Administrator signed the mandatory greenhouse gas reporting rule. The rule requires collection of data on greenhouse gas emissions from large sources beginning on January 1, 2010. The first reports are due to the EPA on March 31, 2011. Numerous NiSource operations will be impacted by these requirements. NiSource is in the process of evaluating the cost of compliance with the rule. The emission information collected would be used by the EPA to develop comprehensive and accurate data relevant to future climate policy decisions, including potential future regulation of greenhouse gases.
On February 25, 2009, the EPA proposed national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines that are not already covered by earlier EPA regulation. The proposed rule would impact smaller engines and impose a variety of additional requirements depending on the size and type of engine. In accordance with a consent decree, the proposed rule is scheduled to be finalized by February 10, 2010, with compliance generally required three years later. NiSource will continue to closely monitor developments in this matter and cannot estimate the cost of compliance at this time.
Implementation of the ozone and fine particulate matter NAAQS may require imposition of additional controls on boilers, engines and turbines. On April 15, 2004, the EPA finalized the eight-hour ozone nonattainment area designations under the 1997 eight-hour ozone NAAQS. After designation, the CAA provides for a process for promulgation of rules specifying compliance level, compliance deadline, and necessary controls to be implemented within designated areas over the next few years. In addition, on March 12, 2008, the EPA announced the tightening of the eight-hour ozone NAAQS. The number of areas that do not meet the new standard could significantly increase across the country, thus requiring additional Federal and state attainment planning and rulemaking. Resulting Federal and state rules could require additional reductions in NOx emissions from facilities owned by electric generation and gas transmission and storage operations.
On March 29, 2007, the EPA signed a rule to govern implementation of the NAAQS for particulate matter (PM2.5) that the EPA promulgated in 1997. The rule addresses a wide range of issues, including state rulemaking requirements as well as attainment demonstration requirements and deadlines. States must evaluate potential reduction measures for the emission of particulate matter and its precursors such as SO2 and NOx. The rule includes a conditional presumption that, for power plants subject to the CAIR, compliance with CAIR would satisfy Reasonably Available Control Measures and Reasonably Available Control Technology requirements for SO2 and NOx. States were required to submit attainment SIPs in April 2008. Also, on September 21, 2006, the EPA issued revisions to the NAAQS for particulate matter. The final rule increased the stringency of the current fine particulate (PM2.5) standard, added a new standard for inhalable coarse particulate (particulate matter between 10 and 2.5 microns in diameter), and revoked the annual PM10 standards while retaining the 24-hour PM10 standards. The

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
EPA rule designating areas not meeting the new fine particulate matter standards was signed December 22, 2008, and is expected to be effective in 2009. The SIPs detailing how states will reduce emissions to meet the NAAQS will be due in 2012. On February 24, 2009, the D.C. Circuit struck down the primary annual and secondary PM2.5 NAAQS promulgated by the EPA in 2006 (American Farm Bureau Federation, et al. v. EPA). These standards have been remanded to the EPA for reconsideration. The Court denied the petitions to review the primary daily and annual standards for PM10. These standards are not vacated (i.e., they are still in effect, but must be reconsidered by the EPA). These actions could require further reductions in NOx emissions from various emission sources in and near nonattainment areas, including reductions from Gas Transmission and Storage Operations. NiSource will continue to closely monitor developments in these matters and cannot estimate the timing or cost of emission controls at this time.
Gas Distribution Operations. Several Gas Distribution Operations subsidiaries are potentially responsible parties at waste disposal sites under the CERCLA (commonly known as Superfund) and similar state laws, as well as at MGP sites, which such subsidiaries, or their corporate predecessors, own or previously owned or operated. Gas Distribution Operations subsidiaries may be required to share in the cost of cleanup of such sites. In addition, some Gas Distribution Operations subsidiaries have responsibility for corrective action under the RCRA for closure and cleanup costs associated with underground storage tanks and under the Toxic Substances Control Act for cleanup of PCBs. The final costs of cleanup have not yet been determined. As site investigations and cleanup proceed and as additional information becomes available reserves are adjusted.
A program has been instituted to identify and investigate former MGP sites where Gas Distribution Operations subsidiaries or predecessors are the current or former owner. The program has identified up to 84 such sites and initial investigations have been conducted at 52 sites. Additional investigation activities have been completed or are in progress at 50 sites and remedial measures have been implemented or completed at 30 sites. This effort includes the sites contained in the January 2004 Indiana Voluntary Remediation Program agreements between the IDEM and Northern Indiana, Kokomo Gas, and other Indiana utilities. Only those site investigation, characterization and remediation costs currently known and determinable can be considered “probable and reasonably estimable”. As costs become probable and reasonably estimable, reserves will be adjusted. As reserves are recorded, regulatory assets are recorded to the extent environmental expenditures are expected to be recovered through rates. NiSource is unable, at this time, to estimate the time frame and potential costs of the entire program. Management expects that, as characterization is completed, additional remediation work is performed and more facts become available, NiSource will be able to develop a probable and reasonable estimate for the entire program or a major portion.
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations. Columbia Transmission continues to conduct characterization and remediation activities at specific sites under a 1995 EPA AOC. The 1995 AOC covered 245 facilities, approximately 13,000 liquid removal points, approximately 2,200 mercury measurement stations and about 3,700 storage well locations. Field characterization has been performed at all sites. Site characterization reports and remediation plans, which must be submitted to the EPA for approval, are in various stages of development and completion. Remediation has been completed at the mercury measurement stations, liquid removal point sites, storage well locations and all but 48 of the 245 facilities. The AOC was amended in 2008 to facilitate payment of EPA oversight costs and to remove all but the remaining 48 facilities from the AOC.
One of the facilities subject to the AOC is the Majorsville Operations Center, which was remediated under an EPA approved Remedial Action Work Plan in summer 2008. Pursuant to the Remedial Action Work Plan, Columbia Transmission completed a project that stabilized residual oil contained in soils at the site and in sediments in an adjacent stream. On April 23, 2009, however, PADEP issued an NOV to Columbia Transmission, alleging that the remediation was not effective. The NOV asserts violations of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act and contains a settlement demand in the amount of $1 million. Columbia Transmission is unable to estimate the likelihood or cost of potential penalties or additional remediation at this time.
Columbia Transmission and Columbia Gulf are potentially responsible parties at several waste disposal sites under CERCLA and similar state laws. The potential liability is believed to be de minimis. However, the final allocation of cleanup costs has yet to be determined. As site investigations and cleanups proceed and as additional information becomes available reserves will be adjusted.
Electric Operations.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Air. In December 2001, the EPA approved regulations developed by the State of Indiana to comply with the EPA’s NOx SIP call. The NOx SIP call requires certain states, including Indiana, to reduce NOx levels from several sources, including industrial and utility boilers, to lower regional transport of ozone. Compliance with the NOx limits contained in these rules was required by May 31, 2004. To comply with the rule, Northern Indiana developed a NOx compliance plan, which included the installation of Selective Catalytic Reduction and combustion control NOx reduction technology at its active generating stations and is currently in compliance with the NOx requirements. In implementing the NOx compliance plan, Northern Indiana has expended approximately $316.3 million as of September 30, 2009.
Implementation of the fine particulate matter and ozone NAAQS has the potential to require imposition of additional controls on coal-fired boilers. On April 15, 2004, the EPA finalized the eight-hour ozone nonattainment area designations for the 1997 eight-hour ozone NAAQS and designated Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties as nonattainment of the standard. This triggered a multi-year process for development of rules specifying compliance level, compliance deadline, and necessary controls to be implemented within nonattainment areas. Local ozone air quality improved in these three counties, and LaPorte County was redesignated to attainment of the eight-hour ozone NAAQS effective January 28, 2008. IDEM is also recommending Lake and Porter counties be redesignated to attainment with the 1997 standard because of improved air quality during the most recent averaging period. However, the March 12, 2008 EPA tightening of the eight-hour ozone NAAQS may result in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties again being designated as nonattainment of the new 2008 ozone NAAQS. As discussed above under “General,” the EPA ozone NAAQS revision could lead to additional emission reductions of NOx, an ozone precursor, from facilities owned by Northern Indiana. Northern Indiana will closely monitor developments in these matters and cannot at this time estimate the timing or cost of emission controls that may eventually be required.
Also, in 2005 Lake and Porter counties were designated nonattainment for fine particulate matter. Similar to ozone, local particulate matter air quality improved and IDEM submitted an attainment SIP that is awaiting EPA approval. Northern Indiana will continue to closely monitor developments in these matters and cannot predict the outcome or impact of the EPA action at this time.
On September 21, 2006, the EPA issued revisions to the NAAQS for particulate matter. The EPA rule designating areas not meeting the new (2006) fine particulate matter standards was signed December 22, 2008, and expected to be effective in 2009. The SIPs detailing how states will reduce emissions to meet the NAAQS in these areas will be due in 2012. The SIPs developed to meet this standard could impact the emission control requirements for coal-fired boilers including Northern Indiana’s electric generating stations. Northern Indiana will continue to closely monitor developments in these matters and cannot estimate the impact, timing or cost of emission controls at this time.
On October 15, 2008, the EPA announced its first strengthening of the NAAQS for lead in 30 years by tightening the standards from the current 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter to 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter and changing both the calculation method and averaging time. Also included are provisions for the EPA to improve the existing lead monitoring network by requiring placement of monitors in areas with industrial facilities that emit one or more tons per year of lead. Designations of whether or not areas meet the standards are to be finalized by January 2012 with the state plans for reducing emissions to meet the standards due in June 2013 and compliance by January 2017. Northern Indiana is unable to predict the outcome of this action at this time.
On March 10, 2005, the EPA issued the CAIR final regulations. The rule establishes phased reductions of NOx and SO2 from 28 Eastern states, including electric utilities in Indiana, by establishing an annual emissions cap for NOx and SO2 and an additional cap on NOx emissions during the ozone control season. On March 15, 2006, the EPA signed three related rulemakings providing final regulatory decisions on implementing the CAIR. The EPA, in one of the rulings, denied several petitions for reconsideration of various aspects of the CAIR, including requests by Northern Indiana to reconsider SO2 and NOx allocations. As an affected state, Indiana structured, and preliminarily adopted in June 2006, a draft rule to meet the EPA abbreviated CAIR SIP requirements and adopted the final rules on November 1, 2006. The CAIR rules became effective in Indiana on February 25, 2007. In a petition filed with the IURC in December 2006, Northern Indiana provided plans for the first phase of the emission control construction required to address the Phase I CAIR requirements and a request for appropriate cost treatment and

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
recovery. Northern Indiana’s plan includes the upgrade of existing emission controls on three generating units for an estimated cost of $45.4 million and anticipates that these expenses are recoverable.
On July 11, 2008, the D.C. Court of Appeals vacated the CAIR in its entirety, and remanded the rule back to the EPA to develop a rule consistent with the Court’s opinion. On September 24, 2008, four petitions were submitted seeking rehearing by the original panel and the full panel (en banc). Among the petitioners were the EPA as well as industry and environmental groups. On December 23, 2008, the Court decided to remand the CAIR without vacatur to EPA in order to remedy the CAIR’s flaws in accordance with the Court’s July 11, 2008 opinion in this case. Consequently, the Federal CAIR remains in effect. Northern Indiana will continue to monitor this matter and can not predict the outcome or impact of EPA action at this time.
In anticipation of the issuance of the Court’s mandate to vacate CAIR upon the conclusion of legal proceedings, on October 23, 2008, the IDEM took the initial step to develop a new state rule to replace CAIR and obtain the emission reductions it would have achieved. As a result of the Court’s December 23, 2008 action, the Indiana CAIR remains in effect and the IDEM suspended its replacement rulemaking activity based on the expectation that the EPA will develop a replacement rule. Northern Indiana will continue to monitor IDEM activity in this matter.
On October 3, 2007, the Indiana Air Pollution Control Board adopted, with minor changes from the EPA CAMR, the state rule to implement EPA’s CAMR. The rule became effective on February 3, 2008, with compliance required in 2010. On February 8, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated two EPA rules addressing utility mercury emissions that are the stimulus for the Indiana Air Pollution Control Board’s CAMR. The first is the EPA’s rule delisting coal and oil-fired electric generating units from the list of sources whose emissions are regulated under Section 112 of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. § 7412. Revision of December 2000 Regulatory Finding (“Delisting Rule”), 70 Fed. Reg. 15,994 (March 29, 2005). The second is the EPA’s rule that set performance standards for new coal-fired electric generating units and established total mercury emission limits for states along with a cap-and-trade program for new and existing coal-fired electric generating units. Standards of Performance for New and Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (“CAMR”), 70 Fed. Reg. 28,606 (May 18, 2005). In response to the vacatur, the EPA is pursuing a new Section 112 rulemaking to establish Maximum Achievable Control Technology standards for electric utilities. On July 2, 2009, the EPA provided a notification and opportunity for comment on a new information request to obtain industry data that will be used to develop the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for coal- and oil-fired electric steam generating units. The data collected and EPA’s response to this decision will affect the implementation and timing of the installation of controls to address potential reduction obligations for mercury and other pollutants subject to the Section 112 rulemaking. Northern Indiana will closely monitor developments regarding any further action by the EPA or the Indiana Air Pollution Control Board in this matter.
On August 19, 2009, the EPA asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to voluntarily remand a 2006 rule that established new source performance standards for NOx, SO2 and PM for power plants. The EPA indicated it intends to reconsider the emission standards it set in order to coordinate the rule with the development of the replacements for CAIR and CAMR. Northern Indiana will continue to monitor developments of this effort.
On October 3, 2007, the Indiana Air Pollution Control Board adopted, with some minor modifications, a rule to implement the EPA BART requirements for reduction of regional haze. The rule became effective February 22, 2008, with compliance with any required BART controls within five years (2013). The language of the final rule relies upon the provisions of the Indiana CAIR to meet requirements for NOx and SO2 and does not impose any additional control requirements on coal-fired generation emissions, including those of Northern Indiana. As part of the BART analysis process, the IDEM evaluated the potential impact of particulate matter from electric generating units and found no significant impacts on Class I areas.
In late 1999, the EPA initiated a New Source Review enforcement action against several industries, including the electric utility industry, concerning rule interpretations that have been the subject of recent (prospective) reform regulations. On September 29, 2004, the EPA issued an NOV to Northern Indiana for alleged violations of the CAA and the Indiana SIP. The NOV alleges that modifications were made to certain boiler units at three of Northern Indiana’s generating stations between the years 1985 and 1995 without obtaining appropriate air permits for the

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
modifications. The ultimate resolution could require additional capital expenditures and operations and maintenance costs, as well as payment of substantial penalties and development of supplemental environmental projects. Northern Indiana is currently in discussions with the EPA regarding possible resolutions to this NOV.
Water. The Great Lakes Water Quality Initiative program added new water quality standards for facilities that discharge into the Great Lakes watershed, including Northern Indiana’s three electric generating stations located on Lake Michigan. The State of Indiana has promulgated its regulations for this water discharge permit program and has received final EPA approval.
The IDEM issued a renewed NPDES Permit for Northern Indiana’s Michigan City Generating Station in 2006. The permit requires that the facility meet the Great Lakes Initiative discharge limits for copper. The Michigan City Generating Station originally had a four year compliance schedule to meet these limits, but on December 20, 2008, was granted a one year extension due to challenges with meeting the new limit. The new date of compliance with the new copper limits ends on April 2011 with the expiration of the current NPDES permit. Northern Indiana currently is evaluating and implementing various alternatives for treating copper in wastewater at the Michigan City Generating Station.
Great Lakes Initiative-based discharge limits for mercury have also been set for both the Bailly and the Michigan City Generating Stations. Northern Indiana will collect data, develop and implement pollution reduction program plans, to demonstrate progress in reducing mercury discharge. Streamlined Mercury Variance applications will be submitted for both stations in 2009.
On February 16, 2004, the EPA Administrator signed the Phase II Rule of the Clean Water Act Section 316(b) which requires all large existing steam electric generating stations meet certain performance standards to reduce the effects on aquatic organisms at their cooling water intake structures. The rule became effective on September 7, 2004. Under this rule, stations will either have to demonstrate that the performance of their existing fish protection systems meet the new standards or develop new systems, such as a closed-cycle cooling tower. On January 25, 2007, the Second Circuit in a Court decision on the Phase II 316(b) Rule remanded for EPA reconsideration the options providing flexibility for meeting the requirements of the rule. On March 20, 2007, the EPA issued a guidance memorandum advising its Regional Administrators that the Agency considers the Phase II 316(b) Rule governing cooling water withdrawals suspended. On July 5, 2007, the Second Circuit Court of appeals denied the petitions for rehearing that had asked the Court to reconsider its remand of the Phase II 316(b) Rule. On July 9, 2007, the EPA published a notice in the Federal Register suspending the Phase II Rule. The notice explained that the EPA is not accepting comments on the suspension and notes that “best professional judgment” is to be used in making 316(b) decisions.
Various parties submitted petitions for a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court in early November 2007 seeking to reverse the Second Circuit Court’s decision. On April 1, 2009, the Supreme Court issued their ruling reversing and remanding the Second Circuit’s ruling. The case, Entergy Corp. v. Riverkeeper, Inc., determined that the EPA did not overstep its authority when it adopted national performance standards utilizing cost—benefit analyses. The matter was remanded back to the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals for further proceedings. The EPA will propose a revised 316(b) rule and provide guidance to address the impact of the Court decision. The Bailly Generating Station is the only Northern Indiana generating station that does not utilize closed cycle cooling and the NPDES permit contains permit conditions that will require Bailly to address the 316(b) rules. Northern Indiana will continue to closely monitor this activity and cannot estimate the costs associated with the ultimate outcome at this time.
Remediation. Northern Indiana is a potentially responsible party under the CERCLA and similar state laws at two waste disposal sites and shares in the cost of their cleanup with other potentially responsible parties. At one site, the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study was submitted to the EPA in 2007. The EPA issued a Record of Decision in 2008 to conduct additional remedial activities at the site. At the second site, Northern Indiana has agreed to conduct a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study in the vicinity of the third party, state-permitted landfill where Northern Indiana contracted for fly ash disposal. In addition, Northern Indiana has corrective action liability under the RCRA for three facilities that historically stored hazardous waste.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
On March 31, 2005, the EPA and Northern Indiana entered into an AOC under the authority of Section 3008(h) of the RCRA for the Bailly Station. The order requires Northern Indiana to identify the nature and extent of releases of hazardous waste and hazardous constituents from the facility. Northern Indiana must also remediate any release of hazardous constituents that present an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. The process to complete investigation and select appropriate remediation activities is ongoing. A reserve has been established to fund the remedial measures proposed to the EPA. The final costs of cleanup could change based on EPA review.
On September 13, 2006, IDEM advised Northern Indiana that further investigation of historic releases from two previously removed underground storage tanks at the Schahfer Generating Station would need to be investigated. Northern Indiana completed an investigation of potentially impacted soils and groundwater and submitted results to the IDEM Leaking Underground Storage Tank section.
Coal Combustion Products. The Federal government continues to show interest in developing regulations covering coal combustion waste products. Subsequent to the December 22, 2008 dike collapse at a Tennessee Valley Authority ash pond, congressional hearings were held on the issue. Legislation regulating coal ash pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was introduced and the EPA is reviewing its previous determination that Federal regulation of coal ash as a RCRA Subtitle C hazardous waste is not appropriate. The EPA indicated an intent to release a regulatory proposal regarding this issue no later than the end of 2009. NiSource will monitor developments in this matter and cannot estimate the potential financial impact at this time.
17.     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table displays the components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, which is included in “Common Stockholders’ Equity,” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
(in millions)   2009     2008  
 
Other comprehensive loss, before taxes:
               
Unrealized gains on securities
  $ 4.5       0.4  
Tax expense on unrealized gains on securities
    (1.7 )     -  
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
    (48.8 )     (232.1 )
Tax benefit on unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
    18.5       92.3  
Unrecognized pension benefit and OPEB costs
    (49.8 )     (52.7 )
Tax benefit on unrecognized pension benefit and OPEB costs
    19.0       20.1  
 
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net of taxes
  $ (58.3 )   $ (172.0 )
 
Millennium, in which Columbia Transmission has an equity investment, entered into three interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount totaling $420 million with seven counterparties. Columbia Transmission recorded an unrecognized after-tax loss of $14.6 million and $30.3 million as a decrease in its investment in Millennium and a corresponding increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, representing its ownership portion of the fair value of these swaps as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
18.     Business Segment Information
Operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The NiSource Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker.
NiSource’s operations are divided into four primary business segments. The Gas Distribution Operations segment provides natural gas service and transportation for residential, commercial and industrial customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Indiana and Massachusetts. The Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment offers gas transportation and storage services for LDCs, marketers and industrial and

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
commercial customers located in northeastern, mid-Atlantic, midwestern and southern states and the District of Columbia. The Electric Operations segment provides electric service in 20 counties in the northern part of Indiana. The Other Operations segment primarily includes ventures focused on distributed power generation technologies, including fuel cells and storage systems.
The following table provides information about business segments. NiSource uses operating income as its primary measurement for each of the reported segments and makes decisions on finance, dividends and taxes at the corporate level on a consolidated basis. Segment revenues include intersegment sales to affiliated subsidiaries, which are eliminated in consolidation. Affiliated sales are recognized on the basis of prevailing market, regulated prices or at levels provided for under contractual agreements. Operating income is derived from revenues and expenses directly associated with each segment.
                                 
    Three Months   Nine Months
    Ended September 30,   Ended September 30,
(in millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
REVENUES
                               
Gas Distribution Operations
                               
Unaffiliated
  $ 384.2     $ 626.1     $ 2,897.0     $ 4,100.1  
Intersegment
    -       (2.9 )     -       -  
 
Total
    384.2       623.2       2,897.0       4,100.1  
 
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations
                               
Unaffiliated
    177.2       157.7       524.1       478.7  
Intersegment
    44.5       43.6       149.0       149.9  
 
Total
    221.7       201.3       673.1       628.6  
 
Electric Operations
                               
Unaffiliated
    321.6       380.4       906.5       1,054.3  
Intersegment
    0.2       0.2       0.6       0.6  
 
Total
    321.8       380.6       907.1       1,054.9  
 
Other Operations (a)
                               
Unaffiliated
    1.5       18.1       3.0       76.1  
Intersegment
    1.0       1.1       3.2       3.3  
 
Total
    2.5       19.2       6.2       79.4  
 
Adjustments and eliminations
    (45.4 )     (40.7 )     (151.9 )     (144.4 )
 
Consolidated Revenues
  $ 884.8     $ 1,183.6     $ 4,331.5     $ 5,718.6  
 
 
                               
 
Operating Income (Loss)
                               
Gas Distribution Operations
  $ (33.9 )   $ (55.9 )   $ 213.2     $ 189.0  
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations
    99.9       82.3       272.4       265.0  
Electric Operations
    43.5       81.4       83.8       170.5  
Other Operations
    (5.3 )     (1.3 )     (8.1 )     (4.7 )
Corporate
    (4.6 )     (0.9 )     (9.3 )     (6.5 )
 
Consolidated Operating Income
  $ 99.6     $ 105.6     $ 552.0     $ 613.3  
 
(a)   Other Operations gross revenues in 2008 included gas marketing activities to three municipalities in the United States associated with Columbia Energy Services. Obligations under these contracts were completed by December 2008.

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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
19.     Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table provides additional information regarding NiSource’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
                 
Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions)   2009     2008  
   
 
               
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
               
Non-cash transactions
               
Changes in accrued plant in service and other items
  $ (10.1 )   $ 32.8  
Change in equity investments related to unrealized gains (losses)
    25.6       -  
Schedule of interest and income taxes paid
               
Cash paid for interest
    325.9       290.2  
Interest capitalized
    2.7       18.2  
Cash paid for income taxes
    -       40.0  
  
20.     Subsequent Events
On May 14, 2004, Columbia of Ohio entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originated, to CORC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia of Ohio. CORC, in turn, was party to an agreement with Dresdner Bank AG, also dated May 14, 2004, under the terms of which it sold an undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit. On October 1, 2009, CORC and Commerzbank AG (successor to Dresdner Bank AG) terminated their agreement, while Columbia of Ohio and CORC concurrently terminated their agreement. In conjunction with the termination of the sales agreement on October 1, 2009, Columbia of Ohio made a payment of $67.8 million to Commerzbank AG in exchange for rights in the receivables held by Commerzbank AG.
On October 23, 2009, Columbia of Ohio entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originate, to CGORC a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia of Ohio. CGORC, in turn, is party to an agreement with BTMU, also dated October 23, 2009, under the terms of which it sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in its accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit sponsored by BTMU. The maximum seasonal program limit under the terms of the agreement is $275 million.
On December 30, 2003, Northern Indiana entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, all of its trade receivables, as they originated, to NRC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Indiana. NRC, in turn, was party to an agreement with Citibank, N.A. under the terms of which it sold an undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit. On May 20, 2009, NRC and Citibank, North America, Inc., terminated their agreement while Northern Indiana and NRC concurrently terminated their agreement.
On October 23, 2009, Northern Indiana entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originate, to NARC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Indiana. NARC, in turn, is party to an agreement with RBS, also dated October 23, 2009, under the terms of which it sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in its accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit sponsored by RBS. The maximum seasonal program limit under the terms of the agreement is $200 million.
On October 26, 2009, Columbia Gas of Kentucky received approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission of a unanimous rate case settlement. The settlement provides for an overall annual increase in revenues of approximately $6 million or 3.7 percent, while authorizing an increase to the monthly customer charge, the implementation of an accelerated main replacement program rider, and the introduction of a residential energy efficiency program.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NiSource Inc.
Note regarding forward-looking statements
The Management’s Discussion and Analysis, including statements regarding market risk sensitive instruments, contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 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. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning NiSource’s plans, objectives, expected performance, expenditures and recovery of expenditures through rates, stated on either a consolidated or segment basis, and any and all underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical fact. From time to time, NiSource may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of NiSource, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary 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.
Realization of NiSource’s objectives and expected performance is subject to a wide range of risks and can be adversely affected by, among other things, weather, fluctuations in supply and demand for energy commodities, growth opportunities for NiSource’s businesses, increased competition in deregulated energy markets, the success of regulatory and commercial initiatives, dealings with third parties over whom NiSource has no control, the effectiveness of NiSource’s restructured outsourcing agreement, actual operating experience of NiSource’s assets, the regulatory process, regulatory and legislative changes, the impact of potential new environmental laws or regulations, the results of material litigation, changes in pension funding requirements, changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions, and counterparty credit risk, many of which risks are beyond the control of NiSource. In addition, the relative contributions to profitability by each segment, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements relating thereto, may change over time. NiSource expressly disclaims a duty to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this report.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with NiSource’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
CONSOLIDATED REVIEW
Executive Summary
NiSource is an energy holding company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 whose subsidiaries are engaged in the transmission, storage and distribution of natural gas in the high-demand energy corridor stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England and the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Indiana. NiSource generates virtually 100% of its operating income through these rate-regulated businesses. A significant portion of NiSource’s operations is subject to seasonal fluctuations in sales. During the heating season, which is primarily from November through March, net revenues from gas sales are more significant, and during the cooling season, which is primarily from June through September, net revenues from electric sales and transportation services are more significant than in other months.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, NiSource reported income from continuing operations of $141.3 million, or $0.52 per basic share, a decrease of $98.1 million, or $0.35 per basic share reported for the same period in 2008.
Decreases in income from continuing operations were due primarily to the following items:
 
Employee and administrative expenses increased $80.5 million across NiSource’s business segments resulting from increased pension expense of approximately $62.6 million, net of the deferral of $8.1 million of pension cost for Columbia of Ohio’s recent PUCO Order described further below. The increase in pension expense for 2009 is primarily due to a $797.7 million reduction in pension plan assets in 2008. Pension plan assets declined

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NiSource Inc.
   
as a result of a 30.3% negative return on assets for the year due to the overall market decline and benefit payments of $165.9 million made during 2008.
 
Electric Operations net revenues were $42.1 million lower primarily due to lower industrial usage and off-system sales and the impact of cooler weather. Industrial volumes are down approximately 22% in the first nine months of 2009 when compared to the same 2008 period.
 
 
NiSource’s Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment recorded $20.0 million in restructuring charges, primarily in the first quarter of 2009, and Northern Indiana recorded a $4.6 million restructuring charge in the third quarter of 2009, impacting Gas Distribution Operations by $1.4 million and Electric Operations by $3.2 million.
 
 
Interest expense increased $21.3 million primarily due to incremental interest expense associated with the issuance of $700 million of long-term debt in May of 2008, $600 million of long-term debt in March of 2009 and a $385 million two-year term loan issued in April of 2009, partially offset by the open market debt repurchase of $100 million in January 2009, the $250.6 million tender offer debt repurchase in April 2009 and lower short-term interest rates.
 
  Other, net decreased $22.4 million as a result of lower interest income.
Decreases in income from continuing operations were partially offset due to the following items:
 
Gas Distribution Operations’ net revenues increased by $82.5 million due primarily to increased revenues of $82.3 million from regulatory initiatives including impacts from rate proceedings.
 
 
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations’ net revenues increased by $44.5 million due primarily to increases in firm capacity reservation fees principally from growth projects such as the Eastern Market Expansion, the Ohio Storage Expansion and new Appalachian supply contracts, increases in shorter-term transportation and storage services, and mineral rights leasing.
These factors and other impacts to the financial results are discussed in more detail within the following discussions of “Results of Operations” and “Results and Discussion of Segment Operations.”
Four-Point Platform for Growth
NiSource’s four-part business plan will continue to center on commercial and regulatory initiatives; commercial growth and expansion of the gas transmission and storage business; financial management of the balance sheet; and process and expense management.
Commercial and Regulatory Initiatives
Rate Development and Other Regulatory Matters. NiSource is moving forward on regulatory initiatives across several distribution company markets and progress continues with Northern Indiana’s electric base rate case. Whether through full rate case filings or other approaches, NiSource’s goal is to develop strategies that benefit all stakeholders as it addresses changing customer conservation patterns, develops more contemporary pricing structures, and embarks on long-term investment programs to enhance its infrastructure.
Northern Indiana filed a petition for new electric base rates and charges on June 27, 2008. The case-in-chief was originally filed on August 29, 2008, and amended on December 19, 2008 after the Sugar Creek facility was successfully dispatched into MISO. The filing requested an increase in base rates calculated to produce additional annual gross margin of $85.7 million. Evidentiary hearings on Northern Indiana’s direct case commenced on January 12, 2009 and concluded on February 6, 2009. Several stakeholder groups have intervened in the case, representing customer groups and various counties and towns within Northern Indiana’s electric service territory. Field hearings to record customer testimonies were held on March 3, 2009 and July 15, 2009. The OUCC and intervenors filed their cases-in-chief on May 8, 2009. Northern Indiana filed its rebuttal testimony on June 26, 2009. Northern Indiana made several minor changes to its revenue requirement, and, as a result the margin

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NiSource Inc.
requirement in the proposed order filing is $8 million less than the original request. The hearings concluded on August 6, 2009, and the briefing schedule will conclude on January 12, 2010. The case is expected to be resolved with new electric rates effective during early 2010.
Northern Indiana anticipates filing another electric base rate case during 2010. Among other things, the filing is expected to include the effect of increased pension expense, as well as demand levels based on more recent operating experience.
Northern Indiana currently has plans underway for the filing of a gas rate case, the first since 1987. The filing is expected to be made in 2010, with new rates anticipated to be effective in late 2010 or early 2011.
On April 30, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application with the PUCO to defer pension and other postretirement benefits expenses above those currently subject to collection in rates, effective January 1, 2009. On July 8, 2009, the PUCO issued an Order approving Columbia of Ohio’s application, although the deferred balances shall not accrue carrying charges and Columbia of Ohio shall not seek recovery of pension and other postretirement benefits deferrals in a base rate proceeding for a period of five years. The amount deferred will be approximately $13.0 million for 2009, of which $9.8 million has been included in the third quarter of 2009 results.
On April 16, 2009, Bay State filed a base rate case with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, requesting an increase of $34.2 million. In its initial filing, Bay State is seeking revenue decoupling, as well as an expedited mechanism for the recovery of costs associated with the rehabilitation of the company’s infrastructure. This matter is currently pending and is expected to be resolved with new rates taking effect in the fourth quarter 2009.
On May 1, 2009, Columbia of Kentucky filed a base rate case with the Kentucky PSC, requesting an annual increase of $11.6 million. In its initial filing, Columbia of Kentucky is seeking enhancements to rate design, as well as an expedited mechanism for the recovery of costs associated with the rehabilitation of the company’s infrastructure. A settlement agreement has been reached with all parties which was presented in a hearing before the Kentucky PSC on September 18, 2009. On October 26, 2009, the Kentucky PSC approved the settlement agreement as filed, with new rates taking effect on October 27, 2009. Refer to Note 20, “Subsequent Events,” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Northern Indiana received a favorable regulatory order on February 18, 2009 related to its actions to increase its electric generating capacity and advance its electric rate case. Acting on a settlement reached among Northern Indiana and its regulatory stakeholders, the IURC ruled that Northern Indiana’s Sugar Creek electric generating plant was “in service” for ratemaking purposes as of December 1, 2008. The IURC also approved the deferral of depreciation expenses and carrying costs associated with the $330 million Sugar Creek investment. Northern Indiana purchased Sugar Creek on May 30, 2008 and effective December 1, 2008, Sugar Creek was accepted as an internal designated network resource within the MISO.
On January 15, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application with the PUCO requesting authority to increase Columbia of Ohio’s PIPP rider rate in order to collect $82.2 million in PIPP arrearages over a three year period. On March 3, 2009, Columbia of Ohio’s proposal was deemed approved and became effective.
Refer to the “Results and Discussion of Segment Operations” for a complete discussion of regulatory matters.
Bear Garden Station. Columbia of Virginia has entered into an agreement with Dominion Virginia Power to install facilities to serve a 585 mw combined cycle generating station in Buckingham County, VA, known as the Bear Garden station. The project requires approximately 13.3 miles of 24-inch steel pipeline and associated facilities to serve the station. In March 2009, the VSCC approved Dominion Virginia Power Company’s planned Bear Garden station with service expected to begin by the summer of 2011.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Commercial Growth and Expansion of the Gas Transmission and Storage Business
Millennium Pipeline Project. The Millennium pipeline was substantially completed in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the pipeline commenced service on December 22, 2008, with the capability to transport up to 525,400 Dth per day of natural gas to markets along its route, as well as to the New York City market through its pipeline interconnections. The Millennium partnership is currently comprised of interest from Columbia Transmission (47.5%), DTE Millennium Company (26.25%), and National Grid Millennium LLC (26.25%) with Columbia Transmission acting as operator.
Hardy Storage Project. The first two phases of Hardy Storage are in service, receiving customer injections and withdrawing natural gas from its new underground natural gas storage facility in West Virginia. When the third and final Phase is fully operational in November 2009, the field will have a working storage capacity of 12 Bcf, and the ability to deliver 176,000 Dth of natural gas per day. Hardy Storage is a joint venture of subsidiaries of Columbia Transmission and Piedmont.
Line 1570 Project. In October 2008, Columbia Transmission entered into a Precedent Agreement to gather and transport phased in volumes of up to 150,000 Dth per day of gas in the Waynesburg, PA area along Line 1570. The first two phases of this project were available for service in October 2008 and March 2009. Additional volumes will be phased in later in 2009 and during 2010. Facilities are expected to be completed in fourth quarter of 2009.
Columbia Penn Project. In September 2008, Columbia Transmission announced its intention to develop additional natural gas transmission, gathering and processing services along and around its existing pipeline corridor between Waynesburg, PA and Renovo, PA, referred to as the “Columbia Penn” corridor. This two-phase development will provide access to pipeline capacity in conjunction with production increases in the Marcellus Shale formation which underlies Columbia Transmission’s transmission and storage network in the region. Phase I was placed into service in February 2009 and Phase II should be available by the end of 2009.
Appalachian Expansion Project. On August 22, 2008, the FERC issued an order to Columbia Transmission, which granted a certificate to construct the project. The project included building a new 9,470 hp compressor station in West Virginia. The Appalachian Expansion Project added 100,000 Dth per day of transportation capacity and is fully subscribed on a 15-year contracted firm basis. Construction is complete and the project was placed in service on July 1, 2009.
Eastern Market Expansion Project. On January 14, 2008, the FERC issued an order which granted a certificate to construct the project. The project allows Columbia Transmission to expand its facilities to provide additional storage and transportation services and to replace certain existing facilities. The Eastern Market Expansion added 97,000 Dth per day of storage and transportation deliverability and is fully subscribed on a 15-year contracted firm basis. Construction of the facilities is complete and was placed in service April 1, 2009.
Ohio Storage Project. On June 24, 2008, Columbia Transmission filed an application before the FERC for approval to expand two of its Ohio storage fields for additional capacity of nearly 7 Bcf and 103,400 Dth per day of daily deliverability. Approval was granted in March 2009 and construction of the facilities began in April 2009. Partial service related to this expansion was available beginning May 2009 and the remainder is expected to be available by the fourth quarter of 2009. The expansion capacity is 58% contracted on a long-term, firm basis, with the FERC authorized market-based rates for these services.
Easton Compressor Station Project. On March 30, 2009, Columbia Transmission announced a binding open season for capacity into premium East Coast markets resulting from modifications made to the company’s Easton Compressor Station. The modifications will increase delivery capacity from the Wagoner interconnection point between the Columbia Transmission and Millennium pipeline systems. Through the open season, which closed on April 3, 2009, Columbia Transmission received 30,000 Dth per day of binding bids. Construction is under way and service is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Centerville Expansion Project. An open season to solicit interest and receive bids for expanded capacity on Columbia Gulf’s system for delivery to Southern Natural Gas and the Louisiana intrastate pipeline market was held

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NiSource Inc.
during the first quarter of 2008, and bids for 60,000 Dth per day of capacity were submitted. The remaining 175,000 Dth per day of capacity is being reviewed in conjunction with other market opportunities on the East Lateral in South Louisiana. The project is expected to be placed into service in late 2010.
Cobb Compressor Station Expansion Project. Shippers have also executed precedent agreements for a total of approximately 25,500 Dth per day of long-term firm transportation service associated with a facility expansion at Cobb Compressor Station in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The Cobb Expansion is expected to be in service by the second quarter of 2010.
Majorsville, PA Project. The Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment is pursuing the development of three separate projects totaling approximately $80 million in the Majorsville, PA vicinity to aggregate Marcellus gas production for downstream transmission on the Columbia Gas Transmission system. The gathered production will be delivered to a new natural gas processing plant to be owned and operated by Markwest in the Majorsville area. Precedent Agreements have been executed by anchor shippers and the remaining available capacity will be the subject of separate binding open seasons in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Financial Management of the Balance Sheet
NiSource has been closely monitoring developments relative to the financial crisis and has executed on its plan to effectively manage through this period. During the past several months, NiSource has successfully executed against its financing and liquidity plan through the following actions:
 
On June 25, 2009, Columbia of Virginia received approval from the VSCC for the issuance of long-term debt of up to $75 million of either external long-term debt or long-term inter-company notes. Northern Indiana is also seeking to amend its financing petition with the IURC to allow for the issuance of $120 million of either external long-term debt or long-term inter-company notes.
 
 
On April 9, 2009, NiSource Finance announced the final closing of a $385 million senior unsecured two-year bank term loan with a syndicate of banks maturing February 11, 2011. Borrowings under the bank term loan have an effective cost of LIBOR plus 538 basis points. On February 16, 2009, NiSource announced the initial closing of the bank term loan at the level of $265 million. Under an accordion feature, NiSource was able to increase the loan by $120 million prior to final closing.
 
 
On March 31, 2009, NiSource Finance announced that it was commencing a cash tender offer for up to $300 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 7.875% notes due 2010. On April 28, 2009, NiSource Finance announced that $250.6 million of these notes were successfully tendered.
 
 
On March 9, 2009, NiSource Finance issued $600 million of senior unsecured notes in an underwritten offering. NiSource will use the proceeds from the issuance to complete the refinancing of outstanding debt scheduled to mature in November 2009 and for general corporate purposes, including refinancing a portion of outstanding debt scheduled to mature in November 2010.
 
 
During January 2009, NiSource repurchased $32.4 million of the $450.0 million floating rate notes scheduled to mature in November 2009 and $67.6 million of the $1.0 billion 7.875% unsecured notes scheduled to mature in November 2010.
On October 23, 2009 new accounts receivable agreements were executed at Columbia of Ohio and Northern Indiana. During the fourth quarter of 2009, NiSource also expects Columbia of Pennsylvania to file a petition to add an accounts receivable securitization facility. Total combined capacity of these facilities is expected to be approximately $550 million at peak heating season.
NiSource’s liquidity position was significantly strengthened during the third quarter as the result of a change in tax method regarding certain electric and gas utility repair costs. The change provides significant additional liquidity in the form of income tax refunds of approximately $295 million associated with taxes paid in prior years.

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NiSource Inc.
In light of the change in tax method, NiSource estimates that its remaining financing requirements through 2010 can be met through the issuance of approximately $120 million in debt related to the Northern Indiana Sugar Creek generating facility. In addition, the company retains the option of conducting additional financing at the corporate level to meet its 2010 financing needs. The ultimate timing and structure of the company’s financing activities will be determined based on prevailing market conditions.
Credit Ratings. On March 5, 2009, Standard and Poor’s affirmed its senior unsecured ratings for NiSource and its subsidiaries at BBB-, and revised the outlook to stable from negative. On July 29, 2009, Moody’s Investors Service affirmed the senior unsecured ratings for NiSource at Baa3, and the existing ratings of all other subsidiaries. Moody’s outlook for NiSource and its subsidiaries is negative. On February 4, 2009, Fitch lowered its senior unsecured ratings for NiSource to BBB- and for Northern Indiana to BBB. Fitch’s outlook for NiSource and all of its subsidiaries is stable. Although all ratings continue to be investment grade, an additional downgrade by Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch would result in a rating that is below investment grade.
Process and Expense Management
During the first quarter of 2009, NiSource began an organizational restructuring initiative, beginning with Gas Transmission and Storage Operations, in response to the decline in overall economic conditions.
In February 2009, NiSource announced the restructuring of the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment. NiSource has eliminated positions across the 16 state operating territory of Gas Transmission and Storage. The reductions have occurred through voluntary programs and involuntary separations. In addition to employee reductions, the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment will continue to take steps to achieve additional cost savings by efficiently managing its various business locations, reducing its fleet operations, creating alliances with third party service providers, and implementing other changes in line with its strategic plan for growth and maximizing value of existing assets. During the first nine months of 2009, NiSource recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge related to this initiative, net of adjustments, of $20.0 million to “Operation and maintenance” expense on the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited), which primarily includes costs related to severance and other employee related costs. Management currently anticipates approximately 350 employees will be impacted. As of September 30, 2009, 305 employees had been severed from employment, of which 51 were severed in the third quarter of 2009. NiSource expects this phase of restructuring to be substantially complete by the end of 2009.
In September 2009, NiSource announced the restructuring of Northern Indiana, which aims to redefine business and operations strategies and achieve cost reductions, and impacts both Electric Operations and Gas Distribution Operations. During the third quarter of 2009, NiSource recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge related to this initiative of $4.6 million to “Operation and maintenance” expense on the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited), which primarily includes costs related to severance and other employee related costs for approximately 43 employees and outside services costs. NiSource expects this phase of restructuring to be substantially complete by the end of 2009.
In the second quarter of 2009, Northern Indiana and representatives of the United Steelworkers union reached five-year collective bargaining agreements covering approximately 1,900 Northern Indiana employees. The parties’ new labor agreements are scheduled to expire May 31, 2014.
2009 Earnings Outlook
NiSource currently expects income from continuing operations for 2009 to fall within a range of $0.80 to $0.90 per basic share. This expectation takes into account restructuring charges of approximately $25 million and the impact from unfavorable weather that occurred during the first nine months of 2009. A higher effective tax rate and other changes discussed within the Management Discussion and Analysis are also considered in this revised earnings outlook. Many factors could effect this estimate, including those items discussed in the sections captioned “Note regarding forward-looking statements” and “Risk Factors” in both this report and in NiSource’s 2008 Form 10-K filed February 27, 2009.
Ethics and Controls
NiSource has had a long term commitment to providing accurate and complete financial reporting as well as high

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NiSource Inc.
standards for ethical behavior by its employees. NiSource’s senior management takes an active role in the development of this Form 10-Q and the monitoring of the company’s internal control structure and performance. In addition, NiSource will continue its mandatory ethics training program in which employees at every level throughout the organization participate.
Refer to “Controls and Procedures” included in Item 4.
Results of Operations
Quarter Ended September 30, 2009
Net Income
NiSource reported a net loss of $15.4 million, or $0.05 loss per basic share, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net income of $20.0 million, or $0.08 per basic share, for the third quarter 2008. The loss from continuing operations was $9.7 million, or $0.03 loss per basic share, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to income of $31.1 million, or $0.11 per basic share, for the third quarter 2008. Operating income was $99.6 million, a decrease of $6.0 million from the same period in 2008. All per share amounts are basic earnings per share. Basic average shares of common stock outstanding at September 30, 2009 were 275.4 million compared to 274.0 million at September 30, 2008.
Comparability of line item operating results was impacted by regulatory and tax trackers that allow for the recovery in rates of certain costs such as bad debt expenses. Therefore, increases in these tracked operating expenses are offset by increases in net revenues and had essentially no impact on income from continuing operations.
Net Revenues
Total consolidated net revenues (gross revenues less cost of sales) for the three months ended September 30, 2009, were $657.5 million, a $44.1 million increase from the same period last year. This increase in net revenues was primarily due to increased Gas Distribution Operations’ net revenues of $43.1 million and increased Gas Transmission and Storage Operations’ net revenues of $20.4 million, partially offset by lower Electric Operations’ net revenues of $15.2 million. Gas Distribution Operations’ net revenues increased due to increased revenues of $34.7 million from regulatory initiatives including impacts from rate proceedings, and increased usage from residential and commercial customers. Within Gas Transmission and Storage Operations, net revenues increased primarily due to increases in mineral rights leasing of $9.0 million, firm capacity reservation fees of $8.3 million and shorter-term transportation and storage services of $6.4 million. The increase in firm capacity reservation fees was the result of growth projects such as the Eastern Market Expansion, the Ohio Storage Expansion and new Appalachian supply contracts. Electric Operations’ net revenues decreased due primarily to the impact of cooler weather amounting to approximately $16 million, lower commercial and industrial usage of $4.2 million and lower capacity and energy sales into the PJM Interconnection.
Expenses
Operating expenses for the third quarter 2009 were $563.7 million, an increase of $52.5 million from the 2008 period. This increase was mainly due to higher employee and administrative expenses of $40.8 million, which primarily resulted from higher benefits expense of $19.8 million and higher pension expense of approximately $13.4 million, net of deferring $8.1 million of pension costs per the regulatory Order that was granted to Columbia of Ohio in July 2009. Operating expenses also increased as a result of higher depreciation of $7.8 million, restructuring charges of $4.8 million, and an impairment charge of $4.4 million associated with NiSource NDC Douglas investment properties held and used. The increase in pension expense for 2009 is due to a $797.7 million reduction in pension plan assets in 2008 from a 30.3% negative return on assets for the year due to the overall market decline and benefit payments of $165.9 million made during 2008. The increase in benefits expense is due in part to a $12.7 million adjustment that decreased expense in the third quarter of 2008, which resulted from the misclassification of certain claims in 2007.
Other Income (Deductions)
Interest expense increased by $4.7 million primarily due to incremental interest expense associated with the issuance of $600 million of long-term debt in March of 2009 and a $385 million two-year term loan issued in April of 2009,

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partially offset by the open market debt repurchase of $100 million in January 2009, the $250.6 million tender offer debt repurchase in April 2009 and lower short-term interest rates. Other, net was income of $2.3 million compared to income of $20.5 million for the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to the sale of an investment in 2008 and lower interest income in 2009. On August 27, 2008, NiSource Development Company sold its interest in JOF Transportation Company to Lehigh Service Corporation for a pre-tax gain of $16.7 million. JOF Transportation Company held 40% interest in Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad Co. and a 40% interest in Indiana Illinois Development Company, LLC.
Income Taxes
Income taxes for the third quarter of 2009 were $6.8 million on a pre-tax book loss of $2.9 million, compared to an income tax benefit of $5.1 million recorded on pre-tax book income of $26.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. Because NiSource recorded significant adjustments to income tax expense in both the third quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2008, a discussion of third quarter effective tax rates is not meaningful. In the third quarter of 2009, NiSource recorded a charge to income tax expense of $7.6 million related to a change in tax method of accounting for capitalizing certain costs. In the third quarter of 2008, NiSource recorded a $13.5 million reduction in deferred income tax expense to reflect changes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts state income tax laws. Refer to Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more detail about third quarter income tax adjustments. Absent the adjustments discussed above, NiSource’s effective tax rates for the third quarter of 2009 and third quarter of 2008 would have been 27.6% and 32.3%, respectively.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations reflected income of $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to a loss of $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2008. Income for 2009 is primarily attributable to NiSource’s unregulated natural gas marketing business. The loss in 2008 is primarily attributable to an adjustment to the reserve for the Tawney litigation. The $6.2 million after-tax loss on the disposition of discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2009 related to NiSource’s decision to sell certain NDC properties and an adjustment related to negotiations to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business. In the third quarter of 2008, NiSource recorded an estimated after-tax loss adjustment of $5.3 million primarily for the disposition of Northern Utilities, Granite State Gas and Whiting Clean Energy.
Results of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
Net Income
NiSource reported net income of $128.2 million, or $0.47 per basic share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a net loss of $83.0 million, or $0.30 loss per basic share, for the first nine months of 2008. Income from continuing operations was $141.3 million, or $0.52 per basic share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $239.4 million, or $0.87 per basic share, for the comparable 2008 period. Operating income was $552.0 million, a decrease of $61.3 million from the same period in 2008. All per share amounts are basic earnings per share. Basic average shares of common stock outstanding at September 30, 2009 were 274.8 million compared to 274.0 million at September 30, 2008.
Comparability of line item operating results was impacted by regulatory and tax trackers that allow for the recovery in rates of certain costs such as bad debt expenses. Therefore, increases in these tracked operating expenses are offset by increases in net revenues and had essentially no impact on income from continuing operations
Net Revenues
Total consolidated net revenues (gross revenues less cost of sales) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, were $2,391.1 million, a $76.5 million increase from the same period last year. Net revenues increased primarily due to increased Gas Distribution Operations’ net revenues of $82.5 million and increased Gas Transmission and Storage Operations’ net revenues of $44.5 million, partially offset by lower Electric Operations’ net revenues of $42.1 million. Gas Distribution Operations’ net revenues increased due to increased revenues of $82.3 million from regulatory initiatives including impacts from rate proceedings, increased net regulatory and tax trackers of $10.9 million offset in expense and colder weather of approximately $6 million, partially offset by decreased customer

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usage of $13.1 million and a $10.3 million decrease in off-system sales. Within Gas Transmission and Storage Operations, net revenues increased due to increases in firm capacity reservation fees of $21.8 million, shorter-term transportation and storage services of $12.2 million and mineral rights leasing of $11.8 million. The increase in firm capacity reservation fees was the result of growth projects such as the Eastern Market Expansion, the Ohio Storage Expansion and new Appalachian supply contracts. Electric Operations’ net revenues decreased due to lower industrial usage of $23.9 million, which was significantly impacted by steel and steel-related companies, $19.2 million of lower off-system sales, the impact of cooler weather of approximately $17 million and lower capacity and energy sales into the PJM Interconnection, partially offset by lower non-recoverable purchased power of $9.8 million and increased residential usage of $7.5 million. The major steel company customers operated at full capacity for the first half of 2008. Production decreased sharply in October 2008, bottoming near 50% in May 2009. Since then, NiSource has seen sequential growth in its power sales to these customers.
Expenses
Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2009 were $1,848.7 million, an increase of $140.4 million from the comparable 2008 period. This increase was mainly due to higher employee and administrative expenses of $80.5 million, which primarily resulted from higher pension expense of $62.6 million, net of deferring $8.1 million of pension costs per the regulatory Order that was granted to Columbia of Ohio in July 2009, and higher benefits expense of $15.9 million. Operating expenses also increased as a result of restructuring charges of $24.6 million, higher depreciation of $16.3 million, $7.6 million in increased legal reserves, $5.2 million in capacity lease costs, $4.7 million of higher electric generation costs and a $4.4 million impairment associated with NiSource NDC Douglas investment properties. The increase in benefits expense is due in part to a $12.7 million adjustment that decreased expense in the third quarter of 2008, which resulted from the misclassification of certain claims in 2007.
Other Income (Deductions)
Interest expense increased by $21.3 million primarily due to incremental interest expense associated with the issuance of $700 million of long-term debt in May 2008, the issuance of $600 million of long-term debt in March of 2009 and a $385 million two-year term loan issued in April of 2009, partially offset by the open market debt repurchase of $100 million in January 2009, the $250.6 million tender offer debt repurchase in April 2009 and lower short-term interest rates. Other, net was a loss of $2.3 million compared to income of $20.1 million for the first nine months of 2008 primarily due to the sale of an investment in 2008 and lower interest income in 2009. On August 27, 2008, NiSource Development Company sold its interest in JOF Transportation Company to Lehigh Service Corporation for a pre-tax gain of $16.7 million. JOF Transportation Company held 40% interest in Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad Co. and a 40% interest in Indiana Illinois Development Company, LLC.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the first nine months of 2009 was $110.5 million, a decrease of $4.4 million compared to the first nine months of 2008. This decrease was due primarily to lower pretax book income, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2009 was 43.9% compared to 32.4% for the comparable period last year. These effective tax rates differ from the federal tax rate of 35% due to the effects of tax credits, state income taxes, utility rate-making, and other permanent book-to-tax differences such as the electric production tax deduction provided under Internal Revenue Code Section 199. The effective tax rate was higher in 2009 primarily due to a $7.6 million charge to income tax expense recorded in the third quarter of 2009 related to NiSource’s change in tax method of accounting for capitalizing certain costs and a $4.1 million increase in deferred state income taxes related to the transfer of unregulated natural gas marketing business assets and liabilities to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations recorded in the second quarter of 2009, an increase in tax expense related to AFUDC-Equity and by an increase in tax expense due to certain non-deductible expenses. Nine months ended September 2008 income tax expense was reduced by the impact of the Massachusetts law change discussed above.
Discontinued Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, NiSource recognized income of $2.1 million from discontinued operations compared to a loss of $218.2 million in the comparable 2008 period. Income for 2009 is primarily attributable to NiSource’s intent to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business in 2009. The loss in 2008 is primarily attributable to an adjustment to the reserve for the Tawney litigation. In addition, in 2008, NiSource began accounting for the operations of Northern Utilities, Granite State Gas and Whiting Clean Energy as discontinued

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operations. As such, net income of $3.2 million from continuing operations was classified to net income (loss) from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The $15.2 million after-tax loss on the disposition of discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, is primarily related to NiSource’s decision to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, NiSource recorded an estimated after-tax loss of $104.0 million primarily for the dispositions of Northern Utilities, Granite State Gas and Whiting Clean Energy.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
A significant portion of NiSource’s operations, most notably in the gas distribution, gas transportation and electric distribution businesses, are subject to seasonal fluctuations in cash flow. During the heating season, which is primarily from November through March, cash receipts from gas sales and transportation services typically exceed cash requirements. During the summer months, cash on hand, together with the seasonal increase in cash flows from the electric business during the summer cooling season and external short-term and long-term financing, is used to purchase gas to place in storage for heating season deliveries and perform necessary maintenance of facilities.
Operating Activities
Net cash from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $1,120.2 million, an increase of $869.9 million compared to the first nine months of 2008. During the first nine months of 2009, gas prices dropped dramatically resulting in a $589.4 million over-recovery of gas cost, while during the same period last year gas prices increased resulting in a $165.3 million under recovery of gas costs. This same gas pricing scenario resulted in less working capital used to replace the gas inventory. During the first nine months of 2009, increases in gas inventory required working capital of $22.9 million compared to $248.0 million during the first nine months of 2008.
Income Tax Refunds. In the third quarter of 2009, NiSource filed its consolidated federal income tax return reflecting a tax loss of $1.0 billion primarily as a result of its change in method of accounting related to capitalizing certain costs. The tax loss has been carried back and applied against NiSource’s 2006 and 2007 federal and various state income tax liabilities. As a result, NiSource recorded federal and state income tax receivables of $295.7 million in the third quarter of 2009. In October 2009, $263.5 million of these refunds were received. The balance of the refunds is expected to be received in the fourth quarter of 2009 and beyond.
Tawney Settlement. NiSource’s share of the settlement liability is up to $338.8 million. As of September 30, 2009, NiSource has contributed $208.2 million into the qualified settlement fund, $25 million of which was paid in 2008. NiSource has since contributed an additional $27.7 million. NiSource provided a letter of credit to secure the unpaid portion of the settlement. As of September 30, 2009, $131.2 million of the associated letter of credit remains outstanding. NiSource will be required to make additional payments, pursuant to the approved settlement, upon notice from the Class Administrator. Refer to Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings,” for additional information.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Funding. NiSource expects to make contributions of approximately $104.2 million to its pension plans and approximately $52.9 million to its postretirement medical and life plans in 2009, which could change depending on market conditions. Through September 30, 2009, NiSource has contributed $102.4 million to its pension plans and $41.2 million to its other postretirement benefit plans.
Investing Activities
NiSource’s capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $585.7 million, compared to $707.5 million for the first nine months of 2008. NiSource continues to project capital expenditures for the year to be approximately $800 million.
Restricted cash was $64.5 million and $79.9 million as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The decrease in restricted cash was due primarily to the change in forward gas prices which resulted in decreased net margin deposits on open derivative contracts used within NiSource’s risk management and energy marketing activities.

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NiSource received insurance proceeds for capital repairs of $61.4 million and $28.1 million for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively, related to hurricanes and other incidences.
NiSource contributed $26.4 million to Millennium for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Financing Activities
Long-term Debt. NiSource’s 2009 financing requirement includes the refinancing of outstanding debt scheduled to mature in November 2009, as well as payments associated with the Tawney settlement. During the first nine months of 2009, NiSource has successfully executed against its previously announced financing and liquidity plan through the following activities:
 
On April 9, 2009, NiSource Finance announced the final closing of a $385 million senior unsecured two-year bank term loan with a syndicate of banks maturing February 11, 2011. Borrowings under the bank term loan have an effective cost of LIBOR plus 538 basis points. On February 16, 2009, NiSource announced the initial closing of the bank term loan at the level of $265 million. Under an accordion feature, NiSource was able to increase the loan by $120 million prior to final closing.
 
 
On March 31, 2009, NiSource Finance announced that it was commencing a cash tender offer for up to $300 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 7.875% notes due 2010. On April 28, 2009, NiSource Finance announced that $250.6 million of these notes were successfully tendered.
 
 
On March 9, 2009, NiSource Finance issued $600.0 million of 10.75% unsecured notes that mature March 15, 2016.
 
 
During January 2009, NiSource repurchased $32.4 million of the $450.0 million floating rate notes scheduled to mature in November 2009 and $67.6 million of the $1.0 billion 7.875% unsecured notes scheduled to mature in November 2010.
In addition to the items listed above, Columbia of Virginia on June 25, 2009 received approval from the VSCC for the issuance of long-term debt of up to $75 million of either external long-term debt or long-term inter-company notes. Northern Indiana is also seeking to amend its financing petition with the IURC to allow for the issuance of $120 million of either external long-term debt or long-term inter-company notes.
During July 2008, Northern Indiana redeemed $24.0 million of its medium-term notes, with an average interest rate of 6.80%.
On May 15, 2008, NiSource Finance issued $500.0 million of 6.80% unsecured notes that mature January 15, 2019 and $200.0 million of 6.15% unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2013. The notes due in 2013 constitute a further issuance of the $345.0 million 6.15% notes issued February 19, 2003, and will form a single series having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of $545.0 million.
Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds. Northern Indiana has seven series of Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds with a total principal value of $254 million currently outstanding. Prior to March 25, 2008, each of the series bore interest at rates established through auctions that took place at either 7, 28, or 35 day intervals. Between February 13, 2008 and March 5, 2008, Northern Indiana received notice that six separate market auctions of four series of the Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds had failed. As a result, those series representing an aggregate principal amount of $112 million of the Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds bore interest at default rates equal to 15% or 18% per annum. Subsequent auctions were successful, but resulted in interest rates between 5.13% and 11.0%, which were in excess of historical market rates. These auction failures were attributable to the lack of liquidity in the auction rate securities market, largely driven by the turmoil in the bond insurance market. The Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds are insured by either Ambac Assurance Corporation or MBIA Insurance Corporation.

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Northern Indiana converted all seven series of Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds from the auction rate mode to a variable rate demand bond mode between March 25, 2008 and April 11, 2008 and repurchased the bonds as part of the conversion process, of which $199.0 million had been repurchased as of March 31, 2008. Between April 11, 2008 and August 24, 2008, all of the Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds were held in Northern Indiana’s treasury. On August 25, 2008, Northern Indiana converted all of the Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds from a variable rate demand mode to a fixed rate mode, and reoffered the bonds to external investors. As a result of the fixed rate conversion and reoffering process, the weighted average interest rate is now fixed at 5.58%.
Northern Indiana reflected the Jasper County Pollution Control Bonds held in treasury as an offset to long-term debt within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) as of March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008 upon repurchase and the debt was considered extinguished. As such, unamortized debt expense of $4.6 million previously recorded under deferred charges and other was reclassified to a regulatory asset. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008 reflects the reissuance of the long-term debt. The repurchase of these bonds are included under, “Financing Activities,” in the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Cash Flow (unaudited).
Credit Facilities. NiSource Finance maintains a $1.5 billion five-year revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks which has a termination date of July 7, 2011. This facility provides a reasonable cushion of short-term liquidity for general corporate purposes including meeting cash requirements driven by volatility in natural gas prices, as well as provides for the issuance of letters of credit. During September 2008, NiSource Finance entered into a new $500 million six-month revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of banks led by Barclays Capital that was originally due to expire on March 23, 2009. However, on February 13, 2009, the six-month credit facility was terminated in conjunction with the closing of a new two-year bank term loan.
NiSource Finance had $200 million outstanding credit facility borrowings at September 30, 2009, at a weighted average interest rate of 0.69% and had borrowings of $1,163.5 million at December 31, 2008, at a weighted average interest rate of 1.09%.
As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, NiSource Finance had $152.4 million and $87.3 million of stand-by letters of credit outstanding, respectively. A letter of credit of $254 million was issued on January 13, 2009 to cover payments related to the Tawney settlement, of which $131.2 million remains outstanding as of September 30, 2009.
As of September 30, 2009, an aggregate of $1,150.4 million of credit was available under the credit facility.
Sale of Trade Accounts Receivables. On May 14, 2004, Columbia of Ohio entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originated, to CORC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia of Ohio. CORC, in turn, was party to an agreement with Dresdner Bank AG, also dated May 14, 2004, under the terms of which it sold an undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit. On October 1, 2009, CORC and Commerzbank AG (successor to Dresdner Bank AG) terminated their agreement, while Columbia of Ohio and CORC concurrently terminated their agreement. In conjunction with the termination of the sales agreement on October 1, 2009, Columbia of Ohio made a payment of $67.8 million to Commerzbank AG in exchange for rights in the receivables held by Commerzbank AG.
On October 23, 2009, Columbia of Ohio entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originate, to CGORC a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia of Ohio. CGORC, in turn, is party to an agreement with BTMU, also dated October 23, 2009, under the terms of which it sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in its accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit sponsored by BTMU. The maximum seasonal program limit under the terms of the agreement is $275 million.
On December 30, 2003, Northern Indiana entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, all of its trade receivables, as they originated, to NRC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Indiana. NRC, in turn, was party to an agreement with Citibank, N.A. under the terms of which it sold an undivided percentage ownership interest in the accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit. On May 20, 2009, NRC and Citibank, North America, Inc., terminated their agreement while Northern Indiana and NRC concurrently terminated their agreement.

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On October 23, 2009, Northern Indiana entered into an agreement to sell, without recourse, substantially all of its trade receivables, as they originate, to NARC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Indiana. NARC, in turn, is party to an agreement with RBS, also dated October 23, 2009, under the terms of which it sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in its accounts receivable to a commercial paper conduit sponsored by RBS. The maximum seasonal program limit under the terms of the agreement is $200 million.
Credit Ratings. On March 5, 2009, Standard and Poor’s affirmed its senior unsecured ratings for NiSource and its subsidiaries at BBB-, and revised the outlook to stable from negative. On July 29, 2009, Moody’s Investors Services affirmed the senior unsecured ratings for NiSource at Baa3, and the existing ratings of all other subsidiaries. Moody’s outlook for NiSource and its subsidiaries is negative. On February 4, 2009, Fitch lowered its senior unsecured ratings for NiSource to BBB- and for Northern Indiana to BBB. Fitch’s outlook for NiSource and all of its subsidiaries is stable. Although all ratings continue to be investment grade, an additional downgrade by Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch would result in a rating that is below investment grade.
Certain NiSource affiliates have agreements that contain “ratings triggers” that require increased collateral if the credit ratings of NiSource or certain of its subsidiaries are rated below BBB- by Standard and Poor’s or Baa3 by Moody’s. These agreements are primarily for insurance purposes and for the physical purchase or sale of power. The collateral requirement from a downgrade below the ratings trigger levels would amount to approximately $25 million. In addition to agreements with ratings triggers, there are other agreements that contain “adequate assurance” or “material adverse change” provisions that could necessitate additional credit support such as letters of credit and cash collateral to transact business.
Contractual Obligations. In the third quarter of 2009, NiSource added $122.2 million to its liability for unrecognized tax benefits for Uncertain Tax Positions, of which NiSource will receive $1.1 million in refunds. The remaining $121.1 million for unrecognized tax benefits in filed returns is offset by outstanding receivables and net operating loss carryforwards. As of September 30, 2009, NiSource has $5.1 million of estimated federal and state income tax liabilities, including interest, recorded on its books. If or when such amounts may be settled is uncertain and cannot be estimated at this time. NiSource does not anticipate any significant additional changes to its liability for unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.
Market Risk Disclosures
Risk is an inherent part of NiSource’s energy businesses. The extent to which NiSource properly and effectively identifies, assesses, monitors and manages each of the various types of risk involved in its businesses is critical to its profitability. NiSource seeks to identify, assess, monitor and manage, in accordance with defined policies and procedures, the following principal risks that are involved in NiSource’s energy businesses: commodity market risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. Risk management at NiSource is a multi-faceted process with oversight by the Risk Management Committee that requires constant communication, judgment and knowledge of specialized products and markets. NiSource’s senior management takes an active role in the risk management process and has developed policies and procedures that require specific administrative and business functions to assist in the identification, assessment and control of various risks. In recognition of the increasingly varied and complex nature of the energy business, NiSource’s risk management policies and procedures continue to evolve and are subject to ongoing review and modification.
Various analytical techniques are employed to measure and monitor NiSource’s market and credit risks, including VaR. VaR represents the potential loss or gain for an instrument or portfolio from changes in market factors, for a specified time period and at a specified confidence level.
Commodity Price Risk
NiSource is exposed to commodity price risk as a result of its subsidiaries’ operations involving natural gas and power. To manage this market risk, NiSource’s subsidiaries use derivatives, including commodity futures contracts, swaps and options. NiSource is not involved in speculative energy trading activity.

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Commodity price risk resulting from derivative activities at NiSource’s rate-regulated subsidiaries is limited, since regulations allow recovery of prudently incurred purchased power, fuel and gas costs through the rate-making process, including gains or losses on these derivative instruments. If states should explore additional regulatory reform, these subsidiaries may begin providing services without the benefit of the traditional rate-making process and may be more exposed to commodity price risk. Some of NiSource’s rate-regulated utility subsidiaries offer commodity price risk products to its customers for which derivatives are used to hedge forecasted customer usage under such products. These subsidiaries do not have regulatory recovery orders for these products and are subject to gains and losses recognized in earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness.
Interest Rate Risk
NiSource is exposed to interest rate risk as a result of changes in interest rates on borrowings under its revolving credit agreement, term loan and floating rate notes, which have interest rates that are indexed to short-term market interest rates. NiSource is also exposed to interest rate risk due to changes in interest rates on fixed-to-variable interest rate swaps that hedge the fair value of long-term debt. Based upon average borrowings and debt obligations subject to fluctuations in short-term market interest rates, an increase (or decrease) in short-term interest rates of 100 basis points (1%) would have increased (or decreased) interest expense by $4.8 million and $14.8 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $6.2 million and $17.8 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.
Credit Risk
Due to the nature of the industry, credit risk is embedded in many of NiSource’s business activities. NiSource’s extension of credit is governed by a Corporate Credit Risk Policy. In addition, Risk Management Committee guidelines are in place which document management approval levels for credit limits, evaluation of creditworthiness, and credit risk mitigation efforts. Exposures to credit risks are monitored by the Corporate Credit Risk function which is independent of commercial operations. Credit risk arises due to the possibility that a customer, supplier or counterparty will not be able or willing to fulfill its obligations on a transaction on or before the settlement date. For derivative related contracts, credit risk arises when counterparties are obligated to deliver or purchase defined commodity units of gas or power to NiSource at a future date per execution of contractual terms and conditions. Exposure to credit risk is measured in terms of both current obligations and the market value of forward positions net of any posted collateral such as cash, letters of credit and qualified guarantees of support.
As a result of the ongoing credit crisis in the financial markets, NiSource has been closely monitoring the financial status of its banking credit providers and interest rate swap counterparties. NiSource continues to evaluate the financial status of its banking partners through the use of market-based metrics such as credit default swap pricing levels, and also through traditional credit ratings provided by the major credit rating agencies.
The parent company of one of NiSource’s interest rate swap counterparties, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 14, 2008, which constituted an event of default under the swap agreement between NiSource Finance and Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. As a result, on September 15, 2008, NiSource Finance terminated the fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreement with Lehman Brothers having a notional value of $110 million. The mark-to-market close-out value of this swap at the September 15, 2008 termination date was determined to be $4.8 million and was fully reserved in the third quarter of 2008.
NiSource also reviewed its exposure to all other counterparties including the other interest rate swap counterparties and concluded there was no significant risk associated with these counterparties. NiSource will continue to closely monitor events in the credit markets, as well as overall economic conditions in the nation and the markets it serves.
Fair Value Measurement
NiSource measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The level of the fair value hierarchy disclosed is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. NiSource’s financial assets and liabilities include price risk assets and liabilities, available-for-sale securities and a deferred compensation plan obligation.
Exchange-traded derivative contracts are generally based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. These financial assets and liabilities are secured with cash on deposit with the exchange;

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therefore nonperformance risk has not been incorporated into these valuations. Certain non-exchange-traded derivatives are valued using broker or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges. In such cases, these non-exchange-traded derivatives are classified within Level 2. Non-exchange-based derivative instruments include swaps, forwards, and options. In certain instances, these instruments may utilize models to measure fair value. The company uses a similar model to value similar instruments. Valuation models utilize various inputs that include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, other observable inputs for the asset or liability, and market-corroborated inputs, i.e., inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, the instrument is categorized in Level 2. Certain derivatives trade in less active markets with a lower availability of pricing information and models may be utilized in the valuation. When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instrument is categorized in Level 3. Credit risk is considered in the fair value calculation of derivative instruments that are not exchange-traded. Credit exposures are adjusted to reflect collateral agreements which reduce exposures.
Price risk management assets also include fixed-to-floating interest-rate swaps, which are designated as fair value hedges, as a means to achieve its targeted level of variable-rate debt as a percent of total debt. NiSource uses a calculation of future cash inflows and estimated future outflows related to the swap agreements, which are discounted and netted to determine the current fair value. Additional inputs to the present value calculation include the contract terms, as well as market parameters such as current and projected interest rates and volatility. As they are based on observable data and valuations of similar instruments, the interest-rate swaps are categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Credit risk is considered in the fair value calculation of the interest rate swap.
Refer to Note 9, “Fair Value Disclosures,” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on NiSource’s fair value measurements.
Market Risk Measurement
Market risk refers to the risk that a change in the level of one or more market prices, rates, indices, volatilities, correlations or other market factors, such as liquidity, will result in losses for a specified position or portfolio. NiSource calculates a one-day VaR at a 95% confidence level for the gas marketing group that utilizes a variance/covariance methodology. The daily market exposure for the gas marketing portfolio on an average, high and low basis was $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2009, respectively. Prospectively, management has set the VaR limit at $0.8 million for gas marketing. Exceeding this limit would result in management actions to reduce portfolio risk.
Refer to “Critical Accounting Policies” included in this Item 7 and Note 8, “Risk Management Activities,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of NiSource’s risk management.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As a part of normal business, NiSource and certain subsidiaries enter into various agreements providing financial or performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. Such agreements include guarantees and stand-by letters of credit.
NiSource has issued guarantees that support up to approximately $452.5 million of commodity-related payments for its current and former subsidiaries involved in energy marketing activities. These guarantees were provided to counterparties in order to facilitate physical and financial transactions involving natural gas and electricity. To the extent liabilities exist under the commodity-related contracts subject to these guarantees, such liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
NiSource has purchase and sales agreement guarantees totaling $250.0 million, which guarantee performance of the seller’s covenants, agreements, obligations, liabilities, representations and warranties under the agreements. No amounts related to the purchase and sales agreement guarantees are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Management believes that the likelihood NiSource would be required to perform or otherwise incur any significant losses associated with any of the aforementioned guarantees is remote.
NiSource has other guarantees outstanding. Refer to Note 16-A, “Guarantees and Indemnities,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about NiSource’s off balance sheet arrangements.
Other Information
Critical Accounting Policies
Goodwill. NiSource’s goodwill assets at September 30, 2009 were $3,677.3 million, most of which resulted from the acquisition of Columbia on November 1, 2000. The goodwill balance also includes $13.3 million for Northern Indiana Fuel and Light and $5.5 million for Kokomo Gas. As required, NiSource tests for impairment of goodwill on an annual basis and on an interim basis when events or circumstances indicate that a potential impairment may exist. NiSource’s annual goodwill test takes place in the second quarter of each year and was most recently finalized as of June 30, 2009. The goodwill test utilized both an income approach and a market approach. In performing the goodwill test, NiSource made certain required key assumptions, such as long-term growth rates, discount rates and fair market values.
These key assumptions required significant judgment by management which are subjective and forward-looking in nature. To assist in making these judgments, NiSource utilized third-party valuation specialists in both determining and testing key assumptions used in the analysis. NiSource based its assumptions on projected financial information that it believes is reasonable; however, actual results may differ materially from those projections. For example, with regard to NiSource’s discount rate assumptions used in the June 30, 2009 test results, a 1% change in the discount rate would change the fair value of the Columbia Distribution Operations and Columbia Transmission Operations reporting units by approximately $1.0 billion and $800 million, respectively.
Although there was no goodwill asset impairment as of June 30, 2009, an interim impairment test could be triggered by the following: actual earnings results that are materially lower than expected, significant adverse changes in the operating environment, an increase in the discount rate, changes in other key assumptions which require judgment and are forward looking in nature, or if NiSource’s market capitalization continues to stay below book value for an extended period of time. No impairment triggers were identified in the third quarter of 2009.
Refer to Note 11, “Goodwill Assets,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information concerning NiSource’s annual goodwill test.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
FASB ASC Topic 105 – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. In June 2009, the FASB issued this topic to address the new authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The ASC supersedes all previously-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the ASC will become non-authoritative. Following adoption of the ASC, the FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts; rather, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates. This topic is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This topic does not change GAAP and will not have a material impact on NiSource. In accordance with this topic, all references in this document now refer to the ASC.
FASB ASC Topic 855 – Subsequent Events. In May 2009, the FASB amended and expanded the disclosure requirements related to this topic. The amended and expanded disclosure requirements do not require significant changes regarding recognition or disclosure of subsequent events, but does require disclosure of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated for purposes of disclosure and accounting recognition. The amended

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and expanded disclosure requirements were effective for financial statements issued after June 15, 2009. The adoption of the amended and disclosure requirements on April 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
FASB ASC Topic 815 – Derivatives and Hedging. In March 2008, the FASB amended and expanded the disclosure requirements related to this topic with the intent to provide users of the financial statements with an enhanced understanding of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how these derivatives are accounted for and how the respective reporting entity’s financial statements are affected. The amended and expanded disclosure requirements were effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, and earlier application was encouraged. NiSource adopted the amended and expanded disclosure requirements on January 1, 2009. Refer to Note 8, “Risk Management Activities,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information.
FASB ASC Topic 810 – Consolidation. In December 2007, the FASB amended this topic to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements regarding non-controlling ownership interests in a business and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The amended consolidation requirements were effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption was prohibited. The adoption of the amended consolidation requirements on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
FASB ASC Topic 820 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. In September 2006, the FASB amended this topic to define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value and to expand disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. Fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The adoption of the amended fair value measurements and disclosures did not have an impact on NiSource’s January 1, 2008 balance of retained earnings.
In February 2008, the FASB delayed the effective date of this topic for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.
In October 2008, the FASB clarified the application of this topic in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. The clarification was effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued.
In April 2009, the FASB provided additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. The additional guidance was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted. NiSource adopted the additional guidance on April 1, 2009.
Refer to Note 9, “Fair Value Disclosures,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information.
FASB ASC Topic 805 – Business Combinations. In December 2007, the FASB amended this topic to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports regarding business combinations and its effects, including recognition of assets and liabilities, the measurement of goodwill and required disclosures. This amendment was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption was prohibited. The adoption of the amendment on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

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In April 2009, the FASB addressed application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. The additional guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.
FASB ASC Topic 860 – Transfers and Servicing; FASB ASC 810 – Consolidation. In December 2008, the FASB amended this topic to require public entities to provide additional disclosures about transfers of financial assets and to provide additional disclosures related to an entity’s involvement with variable interest entities. The amendments were effective for the first reporting period ending after December 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The adoption of the amendments on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). Refer to Note 10, “Transfers of Financial Assets,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information.
FASB ASC Topic 320 – Investments. In April 2009, the FASB amended the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in this topic for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. The amendment was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of the amendment on April 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
FASB ASC Topic 825 – Financial Instruments. In April 2009, the FASB amended this topic to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as annual financial statements. The amendment was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted. NiSource adopted the amendment on April 1, 2009. As the amendment provides only disclosure requirements, the application of this standard did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). Refer to Note 9, “Fair Value Disclosures,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS No. 167 – Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R). In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167 to amend certain requirements of FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities and to provide more relevant and reliable information to users of financial statements. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009 with early adoption prohibited. NiSource is currently reviewing the additional requirements to determine the impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
SFAS No. 166 – Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166 to amend the derecognition guidance in Statement 140 to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets. This Statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009 with early adoption prohibited. NiSource is currently reviewing the accounting and additional disclosure requirements to determine the impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). This Statement may require sales of accounts receivable, under the accounts receivable program discussed in Note 10, “Transfers of Financial Assets,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) to be recorded as debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets effective January 1, 2010.
FASB ASC Topic 715 – Compensation – Retirement Benefits. In December 2008, the FASB amended this topic to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement

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plan. The amendment is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009 with earlier adoption permitted. NiSource is currently reviewing the provisions of this topic to determine the impact on its disclosures within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF SEGMENT OPERATIONS
Presentation of Segment Information
NiSource’s operations are divided into four primary business segments; Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Transmission and Storage Operations, Electric Operations, and Other Operations.

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Gas Distribution Operations
                                 
    Three Months     Nine Months  
    Ended September 30,     Ended September 30,  
(in millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Net Revenues
                               
Sales Revenues
  $ 384.2     $ 623.2     $ 2,897.0     $ 4,100.1  
Less: Cost of gas sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
    154.5       436.6       1,744.9       3,030.5  
 
Net Revenues
    229.7       186.6       1,152.1       1,069.6  
 
Operating Expenses
                               
Operation and maintenance
    174.7       158.9       631.4       581.4  
Depreciation and amortization
    62.9       56.9       186.2       171.2  
Other taxes
    26.0       26.7       121.3       128.0  
 
Total Operating Expenses
    263.6       242.5       938.9       880.6  
 
Operating Income (Loss)
  $ (33.9 )   $ (55.9 )   $ 213.2     $ 189.0  
 
 
                               
Revenues ($ in Millions)
                               
Residential
    198.8       271.2       1,951.9       2,190.7  
Commercial
    64.7       108.0       675.5       778.0  
Industrial
    36.2       57.6       180.3       229.0  
Off System
    51.8       172.9       183.1       782.8  
Other
    32.7       13.5       (93.8 )     119.6  
 
Total
    384.2       623.2       2,897.0       4,100.1  
 
 
                               
Sales and Transportation (MMDth)
                               
Residential
    16.5       15.3       181.7       186.4  
Commercial
    16.9       16.7       118.3       121.2  
Industrial
    75.6       92.3       246.2       284.8  
Off System
    14.6       16.6       44.7       77.0  
Other
    0.1       0.1       0.6       0.8  
 
Total
    123.7       141.0       591.5       670.2  
 
 
                               
Heating Degree Days
    69       46       3,593       3,587  
Normal Heating Degree Days
    88       88       3,596       3,627  
% Colder (Warmer) than Normal
    (22% )     (48% )     (0% )     (1% )
 
                               
Customers
                               
Residential
                    2,972,887       2,969,166  
Commercial
                    273,515       274,383  
Industrial
                    7,822       7,991  
Other
                    80       72  
 
Total
                    3,254,304       3,251,612  
 
NiSource’s natural gas distribution operations serve approximately 3.3 million customers in seven states: Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland. The regulated subsidiaries offer both traditional bundled services as well as transportation only for customers that purchase gas from alternative suppliers. The operating results reflect the temperature-sensitive nature of customer demand with 73% of annual residential and commercial throughput affected by seasonality. As a result, segment operating income is higher in the first and fourth quarters reflecting the heating demand during the winter season.

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Gas Distribution Operations (continued)
Bear Garden Station
Columbia of Virginia has entered into an agreement with Dominion Virginia Power to install facilities to serve a 585 mw combined cycle generating station in Buckingham County, VA, known as the Bear Garden station. The project requires approximately 13.3 miles of 24-inch steel pipeline and associated facilities to serve the station. In March 2009, the VSCC approved Dominion Virginia Power Company’s planned Bear Garden station with service expected to begin by the summer of 2011.
Regulatory Matters
Significant Rate Developments. Northern Indiana currently has plans underway for the filing of a gas rate case, the first since 1987. The filing is expected to be made in 2010, with new rates anticipated to be effective in late 2010 or early 2011.
Columbia of Ohio filed a base rate case with the PUCO on March 3, 2008, and a settlement agreement was filed on October 24, 2008. In the base rate case, Columbia of Ohio sought recovery of increased infrastructure rehabilitation costs, as well as the stabilization of revenues and cost recovery through rate design. The agreement included an annual revenue increase of $47.1 million, and also provides for recovery of costs associated with Columbia of Ohio’s infrastructure rehabilitation program. On December 3, 2008, the PUCO approved the settlement agreement in all material respects, and approved Columbia of Ohio’s proposed rate design, with new rates taking effect December 3, 2008.
On January 15, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application with the PUCO requesting authority to increase Columbia of Ohio’s PIPP rider rate in order to collect $82.2 million in PIPP arrearages over a period of three years, in addition to the projected level of arrearages expected to occur during each of the succeeding twelve-month periods. On March 3, 2009, Columbia of Ohio’s proposal was approved and became effective.
On January 30, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application with the PUCO to implement a gas supply auction. The auction will replace Columbia’s current GCR mechanism for providing commodity gas supplies to its sales customers. Columbia will conduct two consecutive one-year long standard service offer auction periods starting April 2010 and April 2011. Through those auctions, Columbia will obtain commodity gas supplies from alternative suppliers and will pass the auction price of that gas on to its customers. A stipulation resolving all issues in the case was filed on October 7, 2009. The matter is currently pending.
On January 28, 2008, Columbia of Pennsylvania filed a base rate case with the PPUC seeking recovery of costs associated with its significant infrastructure rehabilitation program, as well as stabilization of revenues through modifications to rate design. On July 2, 2008, Columbia of Pennsylvania and all interested parties filed a unanimous settlement and on October 23, 2008, the PPUC issued an Order approving the settlement as filed, increasing annual revenues by $41.5 million. New rates went into effect October 28, 2008.
On April 16, 2009, Bay State filed a base rate case with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, requesting an increase of $34.2 million. In its initial filing, Bay State is seeking revenue decoupling, as well as an expedited mechanism for the recovery of costs associated with the rehabilitation of the company’s infrastructure. This matter is currently pending and is expected to be resolved with new rates taking effect in the fourth quarter 2009.
On May 1, 2009, Columbia of Kentucky filed a base rate case with the Kentucky PSC, requesting an annual increase of $11.6 million. In its initial filing, Columbia of Kentucky is seeking enhancements to rate design, as well as an expedited mechanism for the recovery of costs associated with the rehabilitation of the company’s infrastructure. A settlement agreement has been reached with all parties which was presented in a hearing before the Kentucky PSC on September 18, 2009. On October 26, 2009, the Kentucky PSC approved the settlement agreement as filed, with new rates taking effect on October 27, 2009. Refer to Note 20, “Subsequent Events,” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
On June 8, 2009, Columbia of Virginia filed an Application with the VSCC for approval of a CARE Plan for a three-year period beginning January 1, 2010. The CARE Plan includes incentives for residential and small general service customers to actively pursue conservation and energy efficiency measures, a surcharge designed to recover

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Gas Distribution Operations (continued)
the costs of such measures on a real-time basis, and a performance-based incentive for the delivery of conservation and energy efficiency benefits. The CARE Plan also includes a rate decoupling mechanism designed to mitigate the impact of declining customer usage. On October 28, 2009, Columbia of Virginia and other parties to the proceeding presented a unanimous settlement to the Hearing Examiner, which would provide for approval of the CARE Plan Application with modifications. The matter is currently pending a recommendation by the Examiner and final action by the VSCC, both of which are anticipated to occur before the end of the year.
On November 24, 2008, Northern Indiana filed Supplemental Testimony in its annual gas recovery proceeding seeking a cost recovery mechanism for system UAFG based on a four-year average effective August 2008. The OUCC, the NIPSCO Industrial Group and LaPorte County intervened in this proceeding. The OUCC sponsored testimony opposing recovery of UAFG in the gas cost proceeding and recommending an adjustment of $4.1 million to reflect a higher UAFG level for the entire GCA 10 period (August 2007 — July 2008.) The NIPSCO Industrial Group recommended that Northern Indiana reduce its transportation service retainage to be consistent with Northern Indiana’s calculation of actual UAFG. Evidentiary hearings were held on April 20 and 21, 2009. On October 21, 2009, the IURC issued an Order in this proceeding. The Order rejected the use of a four-year average to compute UAFG, and requires Northern Indiana to refund $4.1 million to customers in its next quarterly GCA, calculated based on the UAFG for the GCA-10 twelve-month period ended July 2008. The order also recommends that Northern Indiana perform a study within twelve months to determine if a tariff change is necessary to adjust the transportation service retainage, but did not mandate a change in the tariff. A reserve has been provided for the full amount of the refund, which will be returned to customers beginning in March 2010.
In March 2009, Indiana Governor Daniels signed Senate Bill 423 into law giving the Indiana Finance Authority the ability to contract, on behalf of gas customers in the state of Indiana, with developers capable of building facilities that manufactures Substitute Natural Gas from coal. The Indiana Finance Authority received one bid, Indiana Gasification, by the April 9, 2009 deadline to initiate a Substitute Natural Gas plant in Southern Indiana under a 30 year contract. It is expected that all Indiana gas utilities including Northern Indiana will be delivering a portion of Substitute Natural Gas from this facility. The IURC must approve the final contract.
Cost Recovery and Trackers. A significant portion of the distribution companies’ revenue is related to the recovery of gas costs, the review and recovery of which occurs via standard regulatory proceedings. All states require periodic review of actual gas procurement activity to determine prudence and to permit the recovery of prudently incurred costs related to the supply of gas for customers. NiSource distribution companies have historically been found prudent in the procurement of gas supplies to serve customers.
Certain operating costs of the NiSource distribution companies are significant, recurring in nature, and generally outside the control of the distribution companies. Some states allow the recovery of such costs via cost tracking mechanisms. Such tracking mechanisms allow for abbreviated regulatory proceedings in order for the distribution companies to implement charges and recover appropriate costs. Tracking mechanisms allow for more timely recovery of such costs as compared with more traditional cost recovery mechanisms. Examples of such mechanisms include GCR adjustment mechanisms, tax riders, and bad debt recovery mechanisms.
Comparability of Gas Distribution Operations line item operating results is impacted by these regulatory trackers that allow for the recovery in rates of certain costs such as bad debt expenses. Increases in the expenses that are the subject of trackers result in a corresponding increase in net revenues and therefore have essentially no impact on total operating income results.
Certain of the NiSource distribution companies have completed rate proceedings involving infrastructure replacement or are embarking upon regulatory initiatives to replace significant portions of their operating systems that are nearing the end of their useful lives. Each LDC’s approach to cost recovery may be unique, given the different laws, regulations and precedent that exist in each jurisdiction. On February 27, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application to adjust its Infrastructure Replacement Program Rider to recover costs for risers and accelerated main replacements. On June 24, 2009, the PUCO approved a stipulation allowing Columbia of Ohio to implement the new rider rate on July 1, 2009, resulting in an annual revenue increase of approximately $14 million.

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Gas Distribution Operations (continued)
On April 30, 2009, Columbia of Ohio filed an application with the PUCO to defer pension and other postretirement benefits expenses above those currently subject to collection in rates, effective January 1, 2009. On July 8, 2009, the PUCO issued an Order approving Columbia of Ohio’s application, although the deferred balances shall not accrue carrying charges and Columbia of Ohio shall not seek recovery of pension and other postretirement benefits deferrals in a base rate proceeding for a period of five years. The amount deferred will be approximately $13.0 million for 2009, of which $9.8 million has been included in the third quarter of 2009 results.
On April 23, 2009, Columbia of Kentucky filed an application with the Kentucky PSC to defer pension and other postretirement benefits expenses above those currently subject to collection in rates. If approved, the amount deferred would be approximately $1.2 million for 2009. This matter is currently pending.
Customer Usage. The NiSource distribution companies have experienced declining usage by customers, due in large part to the sensitivity of sales to volatility in commodity prices, as well as general economic conditions. A significant portion of the LDCs’ operating costs are fixed in nature. Historically, rate design at the distribution level has been structured such that a large portion of cost recovery is based upon throughput, rather than in a fixed charge. Columbia of Ohio has restructured its rate design through a base rate proceeding and has moved towards a “de-coupled” rate design which more closely links the recovery of fixed costs with fixed charges. Each of the states in which the NiSource LDCs operate have different requirements regarding the procedure for establishing such changes and NiSource is seeking similar changes through regulatory proceedings for its other gas distribution utilities.
Environmental Matters
Various environmental matters occasionally impact the Gas Distribution Operations segment. As of September 30, 2009, a reserve has been recorded to cover probable environmental response actions. Refer to Note 16-C, “Environmental Matters,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information regarding environmental matters for the Gas Distribution Operations segment.
Restructuring
In September 2009 NiSource announced the restructuring of Northern Indiana which aims to redefine business and operations strategies and achieve cost reductions. During the third quarter of 2009, NiSource recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge related to this initiative of $4.6 million to “Operation and maintenance” expense on the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited), which primarily includes costs related to severance and other employee related costs for approximately 43 employees and outside services costs. Of the $4.6 million restructuring charge, approximately $1.4 million was recorded to Gas Distribution Operations. NiSource expects this phase of restructuring to be substantially complete by the end of 2009. Refer to Note 4, “Restructuring Activities,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information regarding restructuring initiatives.
Weather
In general, NiSource calculates the weather related revenue variance based on changing customer demand driven by weather variance from normal heating degree-days. Normal is evaluated using heating degree days across the NiSource distribution region. While the temperature base for measuring heating degree-days (i.e. the estimated average daily temperature at which heating load begins) varies slightly across the region, the NiSource composite measurement is based on 65 degrees. NiSource composite heating degree-days reported do not directly correlate to the weather related dollar impact on the results of Gas Distribution operations. Heating degree-days experienced during different times of the year or in different operating locations may have more or less impact on volume and dollars depending on when and where they occur. When the detailed results are combined for reporting, there may be weather related dollar impacts on operations when there is not an apparent or significant change in the aggregated NiSource composite heating degree-day comparison.
Weather in the Gas Distribution Operation’s territories for the third quarter of 2009 was 22% warmer than normal and 50% colder than the third quarter in 2008.
Weather in the Gas Distribution Operation’s territories for the first nine months of 2009 was comparable to normal and comparable to the same period in 2008.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Gas Distribution Operations (continued)
Throughput
Total volumes sold and transported of 123.7 MMDth for the third quarter of 2009 decreased by 17.3 MMDth from the same period last year. This decrease in volume was primarily due to lower industrial usage due to the economy’s slowdown and lower off-system sales volumes resulting primarily from market conditions that presented fewer opportunities to sell gas to non-traditional customers.
Total volumes sold and transported of 591.5 MMDth for the first nine months of 2009 decreased 78.7 MMDth from the same period last year. This decrease in volume was primarily due to lower industrial usage due to the economy’s slowdown and lower off-system sales volumes resulting primarily from market conditions for the first nine months of 2009 that presented fewer opportunities to sell gas to non-traditional customers.
Net Revenues
Net revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $229.7 million, an increase of $43.1 million from the same period in 2008, due primarily to increased revenues of $34.7 million from regulatory and service programs including impacts from rate cases at various utilities, and increased residential and commercial usage of approximately $6.3 million.
Net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $1,152.1million, an increase of $82.5 million from the same period in 2008, due primarily to increased revenues of $82.3 million from regulatory and service programs including impacts from rate cases at various utilities, increases in net regulatory and tax trackers of $10.9 million offset in expense and the impact of slightly colder weather of approximately $6 million, partially offset by decreased usage of approximately $13.1 million primarily from residential and industrial customers and a $10.3 decrease in off-system sales.
At Northern Indiana, sales revenues and customer billings are adjusted for amounts related to under and over-recovered purchased gas costs from prior periods per regulatory order. These amounts are primarily reflected in the “Other” gross revenues statistic provided at the beginning of this segment discussion. The adjustment to Other gross revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was a revenue increase of $3.9 million and decrease of $205.1 million, respectively, compared to a decrease of $15.4 million and increase of $6.3 million for the three months and nine ended September 30, 2008, respectively, primarily due to the significant decline in gas prices experienced over the past twelve months.
Operating Income
For the third quarter of 2009, Gas Distribution Operations reported an operating loss of $33.9 million compared to an operating loss of $55.9 million in the comparable 2008 period. The decrease in operating loss was primarily attributable to higher net revenues discussed above, partially offset by higher operating expenses of $21.1 million. Operating expenses increased due to higher employee and administrative costs, excluding pension, of $10.8 million, increased depreciation expense of $6.0 million and higher pension expense of $3.0 million, net of the $8.1 million deferral of pension costs for Columbia of Ohio.
For the first nine months of 2009, Gas Distribution Operations reported operating income of $213.2 million, an increase of $24.2 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in operating income was primarily attributable to higher net revenues discussed above, partially offset by increased operating expenses of $58.3 million. Operating expenses increased due to higher pension expense of $23.9 million, net of the $8.1 million deferral of pension costs for Columbia of Ohio, increased depreciation expense of $15.0 million, increases in net regulatory and tax trackers of $10.9 million that are offset in net revenues and $4.6 million of increased maintenance costs.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations
                                 
    Three Months     Nine Months  
    Ended September 30,     Ended September 30,  
(in millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Operating Revenues
                               
Transportation revenues
  $ 163.0     $ 155.8     $ 517.3     $ 491.4  
Storage revenues
    49.0       44.6       142.4       134.7  
Other revenues
    9.7       0.9       13.4       2.5  
 
Total Operating Revenues
    221.7       201.3       673.1       628.6  
 
Operating Expenses
                               
Operation and maintenance
    84.6       80.3       279.9       243.9  
Depreciation and amortization
    30.5       29.1       90.1       87.8  
Loss (Gain) on sale of assets
    -         0.1       (2.0 )     (3.9 )
Other taxes
    12.5       12.9       42.3       42.8  
 
Total Operating Expenses
    127.6       122.4       410.3       370.6  
 
Equity Earnings in Unconsolidated Affiliates
    5.8       3.4       9.6       7.0  
 
Operating Income
  $ 99.9     $ 82.3     $ 272.4     $ 265.0  
 
 
                               
Throughput (MMDth)
                               
Columbia Transmission
    158.4       154.2       736.9       707.4  
Columbia Gulf
    184.5       223.9       692.3       696.0  
Crossroads Gas Pipeline
    11.4       8.4       28.8       27.5  
Intrasegment eliminations
    (114.5 )     (128.7 )     (441.4 )     (398.0 )
 
Total
    239.8       257.8       1,016.6       1,032.9  
 
NiSource’s Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment consists of the operations of Columbia Transmission, Columbia Gulf, Crossroads Pipeline, and Central Kentucky Transmission. In total, NiSource owns a pipeline network of approximately 16 thousand miles extending from the Gulf of Mexico to New York and the eastern seaboard. The pipeline network serves customers in 16 northeastern, mid-Atlantic, midwestern and southern states, as well as the District of Columbia. In addition, the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment operates one of the nation’s largest underground natural gas storage systems.
Millennium Pipeline Project
The Millennium pipeline was substantially completed in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the pipeline commenced service on December 22, 2008, with the capability to transport up to 525,400 Dth per day of natural gas to markets along its route, as well as to the New York City market through its pipeline interconnections. Clean-up along the construction spreads was completed in the third quarter of 2009.
On August 29, 2007, Millennium entered into a bank credit agreement to finance the construction of the Millennium pipeline project. As a condition precedent to the credit agreement, NiSource issued a guarantee securing payment for its indirect ownership interest percentage of amounts borrowed under the financing agreement up until such time as the amounts payable under the agreement are paid in full. The permanent financing for Millennium is expected to be completed when debt capital market conditions improve. As of September 30, 2009, Millennium owed $798.9 million under the interim bank credit agreement, which extends through August 2010. The Millennium partnership is currently comprised of interest from Columbia Transmission (47.5%), DTE Millennium Company (26.25%), and National Grid Millennium LLC (26.25%) with Columbia Transmission acting as operator. NiSource contributed $26.4 million to Millennium for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Additional information on this guarantee is provided in Note 16-A, “Guarantees and Indemnities,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations (continued)
Hardy Storage Project
The first two phases of Hardy Storage are in service, receiving customer injections and withdrawing natural gas from its new underground natural gas storage facility in West Virginia. When the third and final Phase is fully operational in November 2009, the field will have a working storage capacity of 12 Bcf, and the ability to deliver 176,000 Dth of natural gas per day. Hardy Storage is a joint venture of subsidiaries of Columbia Transmission and Piedmont.
Line 1570 Project
In October 2008, Columbia Transmission entered into a Precedent Agreement to gather and transport phased in volumes of up to 150,000 Dth per day of gas in the Waynesburg, PA area along Line 1570. The first two phases of this project were available for service in October 2008 and March 2009. Additional volumes will be phased in later in 2009 and during 2010. Facilities are expected to be completed in fourth quarter of 2009.
Columbia Penn Project
In September 2008, Columbia Transmission announced its intention to develop additional natural gas transmission, gathering and processing services along and around its existing pipeline corridor between Waynesburg, PA and Renovo, PA, referred to as the “Columbia Penn” corridor. This two-phase development will provide access to pipeline capacity in conjunction with production increases in the Marcellus Shale formation which underlies Columbia Transmission’s transmission and storage network in the region. Phase I was placed into service in February 2009 and Phase II should be available by the end of 2009.
Appalachian Expansion Project
On August 22, 2008, the FERC issued an order to Columbia Transmission, which granted a certificate to construct the project. The project included building a new 9,470 hp compressor station in West Virginia. The Appalachian Expansion Project added 100,000 Dth per day of transportation capacity and is fully subscribed on a 15-year contracted firm basis. Construction is complete and the project was placed in service on July 1, 2009.
Eastern Market Expansion Project
On January 14, 2008, the FERC issued an order which granted a certificate to construct the project. The project allows Columbia Transmission to expand its facilities to provide additional storage and transportation services and to replace certain existing facilities. The Eastern Market Expansion added 97,000 Dth per day of storage and transportation deliverability and is fully subscribed on a 15-year contracted firm basis. Construction of the facilities is complete and was placed in service April 1, 2009.
Ohio Storage Project
On June 24, 2008, Columbia Transmission filed an application before the FERC for approval to expand two of its Ohio storage fields for additional capacity of nearly 7 Bcf and 103,400 Dth per day of daily deliverability. Approval was granted in March 2009 and construction of the facilities began in April 2009. Partial service related to this expansion was available beginning May 2009 and the remainder is expected to be available by the fourth quarter of 2009. The expansion capacity is 58% contracted on a long-term, firm basis, with the FERC authorized market-based rates for these services.
Easton Compressor Station Project
On March 30, 2009, Columbia Transmission announced a binding open season for capacity into premium East Coast markets resulting from modifications made to the company’s Easton Compressor Station. The modifications will increase delivery capacity from the Wagoner interconnection point between the Columbia Transmission and Millennium pipeline systems. Through the open season, which closed on April 3, 2009, Columbia Transmission received 30,000 Dth per day of binding bids. Construction is under way and service is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations (continued)
Centerville Expansion Project
An open season to solicit interest and receive bids for expanded capacity on Columbia Gulf’s system for delivery to Southern Natural Gas and the Louisiana intrastate pipeline market was held during the first quarter of 2008, and bids for 60,000 Dth per day of capacity were submitted. The remaining 175,000 Dth per day of capacity is being reviewed in conjunction with other market opportunities on the East Lateral in South Louisiana. The project is expected to be placed into service in late 2010.
Cobb Compressor Station Expansion Project
Shippers have also executed precedent agreements for a total of approximately 25,500 Dth per day of long-term firm transportation service associated with a facility expansion at Cobb Compressor Station in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The Cobb Expansion is expected to be in service by the second quarter of 2010.
Majorsville, PA Project
The Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment is pursuing the development of three separate projects totaling approximately $80 million in the Majorsville, PA vicinity to aggregate Marcellus gas production for downstream transmission on the Columbia Gas Transmission system. The gathered production will be delivered to a new natural gas processing plant to be owned and operated by Markwest in the Majorsville area. Precedent Agreements have been executed by anchor shippers and the remaining available capacity will be the subject of separate binding open seasons in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Sales and Percentage of Physical Capacity Sold
Columbia Transmission and Columbia Gulf compete for transportation customers based on the type of service a customer needs, operating flexibility, available capacity and price. Columbia Gulf and Columbia Transmission provide a significant portion of total transportation services under firm contracts and derive a smaller portion of revenues through interruptible contracts, with management seeking to maximize the portion of physical capacity sold under firm contracts.
Firm service contracts require pipeline capacity to be reserved for a given customer between certain receipt and delivery points. Firm customers generally pay a “capacity reservation” fee based on the amount of capacity being reserved regardless of whether the capacity is used, plus an incremental usage fee when the capacity is used. Annual capacity reservation revenues derived from firm service contracts generally remain constant over the life of the contract because the revenues are based upon capacity reserved and not whether the capacity is actually used. The high percentage of revenue derived from capacity reservation fees mitigates the risk of revenue fluctuations within the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment due to changes in near-term supply and demand conditions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, approximately 89.5% of the transportation revenues were derived from capacity reservation fees paid under firm contracts and 5.0% of the transportation revenues were derived from usage fees under firm contracts. This is compared to approximately 90.2% of the transportation revenues derived from capacity reservation fees paid under firm contracts and 5.5% of transportation revenues derived from usage fees under firm contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Interruptible transportation service is typically short term in nature and is generally used by customers that either do not need firm service or have been unable to contract for firm service. These customers pay a usage fee only for the volume of gas actually transported. The ability to provide this service is limited to available capacity not otherwise used by firm customers, and customers receiving services under interruptible contracts are not assured capacity in the pipeline facilities. Gas Transmission and Storage Operations provides interruptible service at competitive prices in order to capture short term market opportunities as they occur and interruptible service is viewed by management as an important strategy to optimize revenues from the gas transmission assets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, approximately 5.5% and 4.3%, respectively, of the transportation revenues were derived from interruptible contracts.
Hartsville and Delhi Compressor Stations
In February 2008, tornados struck Columbia Gulf’s Hartsville Compressor Station in Macon County, Tennessee. The damage to the facility forced Columbia Gulf to declare force majeure because no gas was flowing through this portion of the pipeline system while a facility assessment was being performed and the current contractual transportation agreements could not be met. Since that time, Columbia Gulf has constructed both temporary and

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations (continued)
permanent facilities at Hartsville. In July 2008, the station completed the installation of temporary horsepower and restored capacity. By the end of the first quarter of 2010, the temporary facilities that were constructed to restore system capabilities are expected to be replaced with a permanent solution.
In December 2007, Columbia Gulf’s Line 100 ruptured approximately two miles north of its Delhi Compressor Station in Louisiana. The damage to the pipeline forced Columbia Gulf to declare force majeure because no gas was flowing through this portion of the pipeline system on Lines 100, 200 and 300 while a facility assessment was performed. Lines 200 and 300 were returned to service and gas flow was restored one day after the rupture. Later that same month, the DOT issued a Corrective Action Order. The Order required Columbia Gulf to develop a remedial work plan to restore Line 100 pipeline’s pressure and capacity. Between December 2007 and June 2008, the Line 100 pipeline operated at less than full pressure and full capacity. On July 1, 2008, Columbia Gulf received permission from the DOT to restore full pressure and full capacity on the Line 100 pipeline. Columbia Gulf continues to operate under this Order.
In the first and second quarters of 2009, NiSource settled its receivables for insurance claims. NiSource received claim proceeds of $52.0 million for capital losses, $4.3 million for operation and maintenance losses and $5.3 million for business interruption, fuel costs and other losses.
Environmental Matters
Various environmental matters occasionally impact the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment. As of September 30, 2009, a reserve has been recorded to cover probable environmental response actions. Refer to Note 16-C, “Environmental Matters,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information regarding environmental matters for the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment.
Restructuring
In February 2009, NiSource announced the restructuring of the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment. NiSource has eliminated positions across the 16 state operating territory of Gas Transmission and Storage. The reductions have occurred through voluntary programs and involuntary separations. In addition to employee reductions, the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment will continue to take steps to achieve additional cost savings by efficiently managing its various business locations, reducing its fleet operations, creating alliances with third party service providers, and implementing other changes in line with its strategic plan for growth and maximizing value of existing assets. During the first nine months of 2009, NiSource recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge related to this initiative, net of adjustments, of $20.0 million to “Operation and maintenance” expense on the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited), which primarily includes costs related to severance and other employee related costs. Management currently anticipates approximately 350 employees will be impacted. As of September 30, 2009, 305 employees had been severed from employment, of which 51 were severed in the third quarter of 2009. NiSource expects this phase of restructuring to be substantially complete by the end of 2009. Refer to Note 4, “Restructuring Activities,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information regarding restructuring initiatives.
Throughput
Throughput for the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment totaled 239.8 MMDth for the third quarter of 2009, compared to 257.8 MMDth for the same period in 2008. The decrease of 18.0 MMDth for the three-month period was primarily due to lower Columbia Gulf deliveries off of its mainline to other interconnecting parties.
Throughput for the Gas Transmission and Storage Operations segment totaled 1,016.6 MMDth for the first nine months of 2009, compared to 1,032.9 MMDth for the same period in 2008. The decrease of 16.3 MMDth is due primarily to lower Columbia Gulf deliveries off of its mainline to other interconnecting parties partially offset by Columbia Transmission volumes transported from new Columbia Transmission interconnects.
Net Revenues
Net revenues were $221.7 million for the third quarter of 2009, an increase of $20.4 million from the same period in 2008, primarily due to increases in firm capacity reservation fees of $8.3 million, shorter-term transportation and storage services of $6.4 million and $9.0 million attributable to mineral rights leasing, partially offset by $2.6 million of lower commodity margin revenues. The increase in firm capacity reservation fees was the result of

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Gas Transmission and Storage Operations (continued)
placing in service the aforementioned projects and incremental revenue for Marcellus and Appalachia production transportation agreements.
Net revenues were $673.1 million for the first nine months of 2009, an increase of $44.5 million from the same period in 2008, primarily due to increases in firm capacity reservation fees of $21.8 million, shorter-term transportation and storage services $12.2 million, $11.8 million attributable to mineral rights leasing and the $7.1 million impact of regulatory trackers which are primarily offset in expense, partly offset by $5.3 million of lower commodity margin revenues.
Operating Income
Operating income was $99.9 million for the third quarter of 2009, an increase of $17.6 million from the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher net revenues discussed above and equity earnings partially offset by higher operating expenses of $5.2 million. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher employee and administrative costs of $3.1 million, depreciation expense of $1.4 million, capacity lease costs of $1.7 million and maintenance costs of $1.3 million, partially offset by lower legal reserves of $2.7 million. Equity earnings increased by $2.4 million primarily resulting from increased earnings from Millennium.
Operating income was $272.4 million for the first nine months of 2009, a $7.4 million increase from the comparable period in 2008. Operating income increased as a result of higher net revenue discussed above and equity earnings partially offset by higher operating expenses of $39.7 million. Operating expenses increased primarily due to restructuring charges of $20.0 million, increased regulatory trackers of $7.4 million, which are primarily offset in revenues, additional capacity lease costs of $5.2 million, higher pension expense of $3.8 million and higher employee and administrative costs, excluding pension, of $3.3 million. Equity earnings increased by $2.6 million primarily resulting from higher earnings on Millennium, which went into service late in 2008, mostly offset by an $8.1 million charge for ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges associated with forward starting interest rate swaps resulting form Millennium’s decision to delay permanent financing until 2010 from June 2009, as was originally intended.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Electric Operations
                                 
    Three Months   Nine Months
    Ended September 30,   Ended September 30,
(in millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Net Revenues
                               
Sales revenues
  $ 321.8     $ 380.6     $ 907.1     $ 1,054.9  
Less: Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)
    116.4       160.0       343.8       449.5  
 
Net Revenues
    205.4       220.6       563.3       605.4  
 
Operating Expenses
                               
Operation and maintenance
    96.9       71.9       287.9       233.0  
Depreciation and amortization
    52.0       51.7       153.6       157.5  
Other taxes
    13.0       15.6       38.0       44.4  
 
Total Operating Expenses
    161.9       139.2       479.5       434.9  
 
Operating Income
  $ 43.5     $ 81.4     $ 83.8     $ 170.5  
 
 
                               
Revenues ($ in millions)
                               
Residential
    93.6       109.8       274.3       277.1  
Commercial
    95.9       107.2       281.8       274.3  
Industrial
    116.4       139.2       338.0       408.8  
Wholesale
    6.2       20.3       12.2       47.1  
Other
    9.7       4.1       0.8       47.6  
 
Total
    321.8       380.6       907.1       1,054.9  
 
 
 
Sales (Gigawatt Hours)
                               
Residential
    843.9       980.0       2,445.5       2,532.6  
Commercial
    1,004.5       1,083.2       2,907.6       2,979.7  
Industrial
    1,944.5       2,403.8       5,723.4       7,294.0  
Wholesale
    208.9       220.9       385.2       550.8  
Other
    33.3       37.5       112.4       102.1  
 
Total
    4,035.1       4,725.4       11,574.1       13,459.2  
 
 
                               
Cooling Degree Days
    318       504       515       705  
Normal Cooling Degree Days
    578       578       808       808  
% Warmer (Colder) than Normal
    (45% )     (13% )     (36% )     (13% )
 
                               
Electric Customers
                               
Residential
                    398,408       399,243  
Commercial
                    53,396       53,197  
Industrial
                    2,444       2,487  
Wholesale
                    13       11  
Other
                    751       754  
 
Total
                    455,012       455,692  
 
NiSource generates and distributes electricity, through its subsidiary Northern Indiana, to approximately 455 thousand customers in 20 counties in the northern part of Indiana. The operating results reflect the temperature-sensitive nature of customer demand with annual sales affected by temperatures in the northern part of Indiana. As a result, segment operating income is generally higher in the second and third quarters, reflecting cooling demand during the summer season.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Electric Operations (continued)
Electric Supply
On October 24, 2008, Northern Indiana issued two requests for proposals to secure additional new sources of electric power to meet the future needs of its residential, commercial and industrial customers. The first request sought capacity and energy proposals for up to 300 mw of electricity to address Northern Indiana’s projected electricity supply needs during the 2011 to 2016 time period. The second request sought up to 300 mw of electricity generated from renewable sources and/or DSM technologies to address Northern Indiana’s projected electricity supply needs beginning in 2011.
On July 24, 2008, the IURC issued an order approving Northern Indiana’s proposed purchase power agreements with subsidiaries of Iberdrola Renewables for wind-generated power from Iowa and South Dakota. Under these agreements Northern Indiana purchases up to approximately 100 mw of wind power. Northern Indiana began purchasing wind power in April of 2009. Although a state or federal renewable portfolio standard is not yet established, Northern Indiana expects that its wind power purchase agreements would qualify as eligible purchases under any such standard.
Regulatory Matters
Significant Rate Developments. Northern Indiana filed a petition for new electric base rates and charges on June 27, 2008. The case-in-chief was originally filed on August 29, 2008, and amended on December 19, 2008 after the Sugar Creek facility was successfully dispatched into MISO. The filing requested an increase in base rates calculated to produce additional annual gross margin of $85.7 million. Evidentiary hearings on Northern Indiana’s direct case commenced on January 12, 2009 and concluded on February 6, 2009. Several stakeholder groups have intervened in the case, representing customer groups and various counties and towns within Northern Indiana’s electric service territory. Field hearings to record customer testimonies were held on March 3, 2009 and July 15, 2009. The OUCC and intervenors filed their cases-in-chief on May 8, 2009. Northern Indiana filed its rebuttal testimony on June 26, 2009. Northern Indiana made several minor changes to its revenue requirement, and, as a result the margin requirement in the proposed order filing is $8 million less than the original request. The hearings concluded on August 6, 2009, and the briefing schedule will conclude on January 12, 2010. The case is expected to be resolved with new electric rates effective during early 2010.
Northern Indiana anticipates filing another electric base rate case during 2010. Among other things, the filing is expected to include the effect of increased pension expense, as well as demand levels based on more recent operating experience.
During 2002, Northern Indiana settled certain regulatory matters related to an electric rate review. On September 23, 2002, the IURC issued an Order adopting most aspects of the settlement. The Order approving the settlement provides that certain electric customers of Northern Indiana will receive bill credits of approximately $55.1 million each year. The credits will continue at approximately the same annual level and per the same methodology, until the IURC enters a base rate order that approves revised Northern Indiana electric rates. The order included a rate moratorium that expired on July 31, 2006. The order also provides that 60% of any future earnings beyond a specified earnings level will be retained by Northern Indiana. The billing factor used to distribute the revenue credit to customers is based on historical electric usage, therefore, in times of higher usage and revenues the amount credited may exceed $55.1 million annually, but would be offset in a subsequent period. Credits amounting to $41.1 million and $40.5 million were recognized for electric customers for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
MISO. As part of Northern Indiana’s participation in the MISO transmission service and wholesale energy market, certain administrative fees and non-fuel costs have been incurred. IURC orders have been issued authorizing the deferral for consideration in a future rate case proceeding of the administrative fees and certain non-fuel related costs incurred after Northern Indiana’s rate moratorium, which expired on July 31, 2006. During the first nine months of 2009, non-fuel cost credits of $4.4 million were deferred in accordance with the aforementioned orders. In addition, administrative, FERC and other fees of $5.5 million were deferred. In total, for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, net MISO costs of $1.1 million and $6.9 million, respectively, were deferred. In its base rate case, Northern Indiana proposes recovery over a four-year amortization period of the cumulative amount of charges that were deferred as of December 31, 2008, and to recover, through a tracker, charges deferred between December 31,

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Electric Operations (continued)
2008 and the date of effective rates in this case. The aforementioned tracker is also proposed for recovery of these charges on an ongoing basis. As part of MISO’s initiation of an ASM, Northern Indiana also incurs non-fuel administrative costs associated with this market. The IURC authorized Northern Indiana to defer the costs associated with participating in the ASM subject to a final determination in a subsequent phase of the same proceeding. On June 30, 2009, the IURC issued an Order in the subsequent phase of the ASM proceeding confirming that Northern Indiana is permitted to continue deferring non-fuel administrative costs.
On November 7, 2008, the FERC issued an Order clarifying the RSG First Pass calculation and requiring the MISO to resettle the RSG market using the correct calculation and to pay refunds, or assess surcharges, to market participants, as appropriate, to correct a misinterpretation of an order issued by FERC in April 2006. Northern Indiana believes that it would have been entitled to a refund, with the amount subject to calculation by MISO. On June 12, 2009, however, FERC issued an order on rehearing in which it affirmed its prior order clarifying the method to calculate the RSG First Pass rate, but reversed its ruling requiring the MISO to pay refunds, and collect surcharges, on equitable grounds. Northern Indiana has asked FERC to reconsider its decision to deny refunds and that request remains pending. MISO’s implementation of FERC’s April 2006 Order on the RSG First Pass calculation resulted in several million dollars of surcharges to Northern Indiana through market resettlements implemented during the summer of 2007. As a result, Northern Indiana and Ameren jointly filed a complaint with FERC on August 10, 2007, contending that the RSG rates in effect were unjust and unreasonable. On November 10, 2008, the FERC issued an Order granting these complaints and ordering the MISO to calculate refunds and surcharges, as appropriate, back to the date of the complaint filed by Northern Indiana and Ameren, as authorized by Section 206 of the Federal Power Act. On May 6, 2009, however, the FERC issued an Order that upheld its decision granting the complaint, but largely reversed its directive requiring MISO to pay refunds, and collect surcharges, on equitable grounds. The FERC affirmed the refund and surcharge requirement only for those transactions that occurred after the date of the November 10, 2008 Order, instead of August 10, 2007, as it had previously required. Northern Indiana and Ameren have requested rehearing of the FERC’s May 6, 2009 Order, and that request remains pending.
MISO and PJM undertook a joint effort in April and May 2009 to identify a source of unaccounted for flows on several coordinated flowgates. The analysis found that certain PJM generating units that were once associated with unit-specific capacity sales were erroneously excluded from PJM’s market flows, which significantly affected the congestion price on reciprocally coordinated flowgates on Northern Indiana systems. Higher PJM market flows on congested flowgates would have resulted in higher payments to MISO by PJM during market to market coordination since April 1, 2005. The model was fixed on June 18, 2009 and MISO and PJM began settlement proceedings at FERC on October 19, 2009 to determine the financial impact of any resettlements, initially calculated by PJM in the amount of $78 million. The impact to Northern Indiana cannot be reasonably estimated until a settlement is reached between MISO and PJM, and MISO receives approval from the FERC on an allocation methodology to its market participants. Any adjustments will be neutral or favorable to operations.
Cost Recovery and Trackers. A significant portion of Northern Indiana’s revenue is related to the recovery of fuel costs to generate power and the fuel costs related to purchased power. These costs are recovered through a FAC, a standard, quarterly, “summary” regulatory proceeding in Indiana. Various intervenors, including the OUCC, have taken issue with the allocation of costs included in Northern Indiana’s FAC-80, FAC-81 and FAC-82, which cover the reconciliation of April — December 2008. The IURC granted a sub-docket to consider such issues in those filings. The intervening parties and Northern Indiana discussed procedures to eliminate these concerns and to resolve them for the historical periods. On September 23, 2009, Northern Indiana filed a settlement agreement with the intervening parties fully resolving all issues through Northern Indiana’s FAC-84 filing. Northern Indiana and the intervening parties participated in a hearing at the IURC on October 14, 2009 in order to review the evidence supporting the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement calls for a credit of $8.2 million to be provided to FAC customers beginning in November 2009, less any amount for attorney’s fees and expenses.
The IURC issued an order on May 28, 2008 approving the purchase of Sugar Creek, and on May 30, 2008 Northern Indiana purchased the 535 mw CCGT for $330 million in order to help meet capacity needs. The IURC, on February 18, 2009, issued an order approving a settlement agreement filed in this proceeding allowing Northern Indiana to begin deferring carrying costs and depreciation on Sugar Creek effective on December 1, 2008, when Sugar Creek was dispatched into MISO, at the agreed to carrying cost rate of 6.5%, less than $4.5 million annually,

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Electric Operations (continued)
the annual depreciation on the Mitchell plant, pursuant to the FAC-71 settlement. The terms of recovery of the deferral will be resolved in Northern Indiana’s current rate proceeding. On March 19, 2009, LaPorte County filed a notice of appeal regarding the IURC’s decision. On July 21, 2009, the Indiana Court of Appeals granted LaPorte County’s Motion to Dismiss the appeal filed with the court on July 16, 2009.
As part of a settlement agreement which resolved issues surrounding purchased power costs, Northern Indiana implemented a new “benchmarking standard,” that became effective in October 2007, which defines the price above which purchased power costs must be absorbed by Northern Indiana and are not permitted to be passed on to ratepayers. The benchmark is based upon the costs of power generated by a hypothetical natural gas fired unit using gas purchased and delivered to Northern Indiana and a set sharing mechanism. During the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, the amount of purchased power costs exceeding the benchmark amounted to $1.0 million and $10.8 million, respectively, which was recognized as a net reduction of revenues. The agreement also contemplated Northern Indiana adding generating capacity to its existing portfolio by providing for the benchmark to be adjusted as new capacity is added. The dispatch of Sugar Creek into MISO on December 1, 2008 triggered a change in the benchmark, whereby the first 500 mw tier of the benchmark provision was eliminated.
Northern Indiana has approval from the IURC to recover certain environmental related costs through an ECT. Under the ECT, Northern Indiana is permitted to recover (1) AFUDC and a return on the capital investment expended by Northern Indiana to implement IDEM’s NOx SIP through an ECRM and (2) related operation and maintenance and depreciation expenses once the environmental facilities become operational through an EERM. Under the IURC’s November 26, 2002 order, Northern Indiana is permitted to submit filings on a semi-annual basis for the ECRM and on an annual basis for the EERM. In addition, Northern Indiana received an IURC order issuing a CPCN for the CAIR and CAMR Phase I Compliance Plan Projects, estimated to cost approximately $23 million. Northern Indiana includes the CAIR and CAMR Phase I Compliance Plan costs to be recovered in the semi-annual ECRM and annual EERM filing six months after construction costs begin. On October 23, 2008, Northern Indiana filed for approval a revised cost estimate to meet the NOx and SO2 and mercury emissions environmental standards. Northern Indiana anticipates a total capital investment of approximately $368 million. This revised cost estimate was approved by the IURC on January 14, 2009. Northern Indiana will file its 2009 revised cost estimate to meet the NOx and SO2 mercury emissions environmental standards during the fourth quarter of 2009. On October 28, 2009, the IURC approved ECR-14 for capital expenditures (net of accumulated depreciation) of $271.2 million. Northern Indiana filed ECR-13 and EER-6 in February 2009, for net capital expenditures and expense of $268.1 million and $18.7 million, respectively. The Order was issued April 29, 2009. In the electric base rate case, Northern Indiana has proposed that the frequency of the EERM be changed from annual to semi-annual, consistent with the filing of the ECRM. In addition, Northern Indiana proposed that the EERM be used to pass through to ratepayers the cost of any emission allowance purchases and the proceeds of any emission allowance sales.
Environmental Matters
Various environmental matters occasionally impact the Electric Operations segment. As of September 30, 2009, a reserve has been recorded to cover probable environmental response actions. Refer to Note 16-C, “Environmental Matters,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information regarding environmental matters for the Electric Operations segment.
Restructuring
In September 2009, NiSource announced the restructuring of Northern Indiana which aims to redefine business and operations strategies and achieve cost reductions. During the third quarter of 2009, NiSource recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge related to this initiative of $4.6 million to “Operation and maintenance” expense on the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited), which primarily includes costs related to severance and other employee related costs for approximately 43 employees and outside services costs. Of the $4.6 million restructuring charge, approximately $3.2 million was recorded to Electric Operations. NiSource expects this phase of restructuring to be substantially complete by the end of 2009. Refer to Note 4, “Restructuring Activities,” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for additional information regarding restructuring initiatives.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Electric Operations (continued)
Sales
Electric Operations sales quantities for the third quarter of 2009 were 4,035.1 gwh, a decrease of 690.3 gwh compared to the third quarter of 2008. The decrease occurred across all customer bases compared to the same period last year primarily as a result of the economic downturn and the impact of unfavorable weather. Within the industrial customer base, the major steel companies production decreased sharply in October 2008, bottoming near 50% in May 2009. Since then, NiSource has seen sequential growth in its power sales to these customers.
Electric Operations sales quantities for the first nine months of 2009 were 11,574.1 gwh, a decrease of 1,885.1 gwh from the first nine months of 2008. The most significant decrease in volumes was from industrial and wholesale customers compared to the same period last year. The lower industrial and wholesale volumes were primarily the result of the economic downturn and the impact to the major steel companies where production decreased sharply in October 2008, bottoming near 50% in May 2009. Since then, NiSource has seen sequential growth in its power sales to these customers. Residential volumes decreased due to the impact of unfavorable weather.
On July 8, 2009, a discounted power sales agreement terminated with one of Northern Indiana’s large industrial customers and on July 9, 2009, a full tariff power sales agreement commenced with that customer.
Net Revenues
In the third quarter of 2009, Electric Operations net revenues of $205.4 million decreased by $15.2 million from the comparable 2008 period. This decrease was due to the impact of cooler weather of approximately $16 million, lower Sugar Creek revenues of $8.0 million from capacity and energy sales into the PJM Interconnection and lower industrial and commercial usage of $4.2 million due to current economic conditions, partially offset by $4.3 million of lower revenue credits and $4.0 million of lower non-recoverable purchased power due to lower usage and incremental power supplied from Sugar Creek into MISO.
In the first nine months of 2009, Electric Operations net revenues of $563.3 million decreased by $42.1 million from the comparable 2008 period. This decrease was due to lower industrial usage of $23.9 million due to economic conditions, the impact of cooler weather of approximately $17 million, lower off-system sales of $19.2 million and lower Sugar Creek revenues of $9.7 million from capacity sales into the PJM Interconnection, partially offset by $9.8 million of lower revenue credits and $7.5 million of increased residential usage.
At Northern Indiana, sales revenues and customer billings are adjusted for amounts related to under and over-recovered purchased fuel costs from prior periods per regulatory order. These amounts are primarily reflected in the “Other” gross revenues statistic provided at the beginning of this segment discussion. The adjustment to Other gross revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was a revenue reduction of $2.1 million and $24.0 million, respectively, compared to a reduction of $9.2 million and $17.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.
Operating Income
Operating income for the third quarter of 2009 was $43.5 million, a decrease of $37.9 million from the same period in 2008 due to lower net revenues discussed above and a $22.7 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to higher pension expense of $10.7 million, higher employee and administrative costs, excluding pension, of $12.2 million and a restructuring charge of $3.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in property taxes of $2.3 million.
Operating income for the first nine months of 2009 was $83.8 million, a decrease of $86.7 million from the same period in 2008 due to lower net revenues discussed above and a $44.6 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was due to higher pension expense of $31.8 million, an in increase in legal reserves of $8.7 million, higher electric generation and maintenance expenses of $4.7 million and higher employee and administrative costs, excluding pension, of $9.5 million. Partially offsetting these increases in operating expenses are lower other taxes of $6.4 million, environmental expenses of $4.6 million, and depreciation expense of $3.9 million. The decrease in depreciation expense is due to the impact of an $8.3 million adjustment recorded by Northern Indiana during the second quarter of 2008 partially offset by higher depreciation from Sugar Creek.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Other Operations
                                 
    Three Months     Nine Months  
    Ended September 30,     Ended September 30,  
(in millions)   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Net Revenues
                               
Products and services revenue
  $ 2.5     $ 19.2     $ 6.2     $ 79.4  
Less: Cost of products purchased (excluding depreciation and amortization)
    -       17.0       -       73.0  
 
Net Revenues
    2.5       2.2       6.2       6.4  
 
Operating Expenses
                               
Operation and maintenance
    2.8       3.2       7.9       9.4  
Depreciation and amortization
    0.4       0.4       1.4       1.4  
Impairment and (gain) on sale of assets
    4.4       (0.4 )     4.4       (0.4 )
Other taxes
    0.2       0.3       0.6       0.7  
 
Total Operating Expenses
    7.8       3.5       14.3       11.1  
 
Operating Loss
  $ (5.3 )   $ (1.3 )   $ (8.1 )   $ (4.7 )
 
The Other Operations segment participates in energy-related services and ventures focused on distributed power generation technologies, including fuel cells and storage systems. Additionally, the Other Operations segment is involved in real estate and other businesses.
In the second quarter of 2009, NiSource signed a letter of intent to sell its unregulated natural gas marketing business. These operations have been removed from NiSource’s Other Operations business segment and are now being accounted for as discontinued operations. As such, net income of $0.3 million and $13.7 million was classified as net income from discontinued operations for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and $1.5 million and $3.7 million was reclassified to discontinued operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. NiSource also recorded a net loss on sale of discontinued operations of $12.4 million through September 30, 2009, related to the proposed sale of the business.
Lake Erie Land Company, Inc.
Lake Erie Land, which is wholly-owned by NiSource, was in the process of selling real estate over a 10-year period as a part of an agreement reached in June 2006 with a private real estate development group. In the second quarter of 2009, the developer was unable to meet certain contractual obligations under the sale agreement including the payment of an $11.5 million note receivable that was due on June 13, 2009. NiSource granted a limited extension for the payment of the note and began negotiations with another potential party to replace the original developer under the existing agreement. In July 2009, NiSource signed a letter of intent with the new potential party which was reaffirmed in October 2009. Under the existing agreement, NiSource believes that $11.9 million of Lake Erie Land assets meet the criteria of assets held for sale and the $11.5 million note receivable, which does not meet the assets held for sale criteria, is fully collectible.
NDC Douglas Properties, Inc.
NDC Douglas Properties, a subsidiary of NiSource Development Company, is in the process of exiting some of its low income housing investments. During the third quarter of 2009, a potential buyer was able to secure financing to purchase two properties previously recorded as assets held for sale as well as three additional properties. The deal is expected to be finalized during the fourth quarter of 2009. The assets and liabilities of the three additional properties were reclassified to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and held for sale in the third quarter of 2009 in the amount of $7.0 million and $6.7 million, respectively. The expected proceeds from the sale of the five properties will be less than the net book value resulting in an impairment charge of $2.7 million, net of tax, included in Loss on Disposition of Discontinued Operations in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
Other Operations (continued)
NDC Douglas Properties owns four properties which do not currently meet the assets held for sale criteria as their estimated sale date is greater than one year. Based on previous impairments recorded on other NDC Douglas Properties, the properties were tested for impairment during the third quarter of 2009. The test resulted in an additional pre-tax impairment charge of $4.4 million which reduced Income from Continuing Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
Net Revenues
Net revenues of $2.5 million for the third quarter of 2009 increased by $0.3 million from the third quarter of 2008. Net revenues for the Other Operations segment are primarily associated with energy-related ventures and the NDC Douglas Properties. Net revenues in 2008 included gas marketing activities as described above with Columbia Energy Services. Obligations under these contracts were completed by December 2008.
Net revenues of $6.2 million for the first nine months of 2009 decreased by $0.2 million from the first nine months of 2008. Net revenues for the Other Operations segment are primarily related to energy-related ventures and the NDC Douglas Properties. Net revenues in 2008 included gas marketing activities as described above.
Operating Loss
Other Operations reported an operating loss of $5.3 million for the third quarter of 2009, versus an operating loss of $1.3 million for the comparable 2008 period. The increase in operating loss resulted primarily from increased operating expenses of $4.3 million. During the third quarter of 2009 an impairment of $4.4 million was recorded on three NDC Douglas Properties that are classified as assets held in use.
Other Operations reported an operating loss of $8.1 million for the first nine months of 2009, versus an operating loss of $4.7 million for the comparable 2008 period. The increase in operating loss resulted primarily from increased operating expenses of $3.2 million due to an impairment of $4.4 million that was recorded on three NDC Douglas Properties as described above.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
NiSource Inc.
For a discussion regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk Disclosures.”
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
NiSource’s chief executive officer and its principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of NiSource’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), have concluded based on the evaluation required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, NiSource’s disclosure controls and procedures are considered effective.
Changes in Internal Controls
There have been no changes in NiSource’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, NiSource’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
NiSource Inc.
1.  
Stand Energy Corporation, et al. v. Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation, et al., Kanawha County Court, West Virginia
On July 14, 2004, Stand Energy Corporation filed a complaint in Kanawha County Court in West Virginia. The complaint contains allegations against various NiSource companies, including Columbia Transmission and Columbia Gulf, and asserts that those companies and certain “select shippers” engaged in an “illegal gas scheme” that constituted a breach of contract and violated state law. The “illegal gas scheme” complained of by the plaintiffs relates to the Columbia Transmission and Columbia Gulf gas imbalance transactions that were the subject of the FERC enforcement staff investigation and subsequent settlement approved in October 2000. Columbia Transmission and Columbia Gulf filed a Motion to Dismiss on September 10, 2004. In October 2004, however, the plaintiffs filed their Second Amended Complaint, which clarified the identity of some of the “select shipper” defendants and added a federal antitrust cause of action. To address the issues raised in the Second Amended Complaint, the Columbia companies revised their briefs in support of the previously filed motions to dismiss. In June 2005, the Court granted in part and denied in part the Columbia companies’ motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. The Columbia companies have filed an answer to the Second Amended Complaint. On December 1, 2005, Plaintiffs filed a motion to certify this case as a class action. The Columbia companies filed their opposition to this motion in March 2008. On August 19, 2008, the Court denied the Motion for Class Certification. In late December 2008, the lead plaintiff, Stand Energy Corporation, reached a settlement agreement of all claims with all Defendants. Stand Energy Corporation was dismissed from the case on December 31, 2008, leaving Energy Marketing Services, Inc., AGF, Inc., Advantage Energy Marketing, Inc. and 1564 East Lancaster Avenue Business Trust as the remaining named plaintiffs. Columbia companies reached settlement with Energy Marketing Services, Inc. in late April 2009. Columbia companies’ motion for summary judgment was granted on July 2, 2009 resulting in the dismissal of one plaintiff, Advantage Energy Marketing, Inc. from the case. Settlement has been reached with the two remaining plaintiffs AGF, Inc. and 1564 East Lancaster Avenue Business Trust. Dismissal orders have been entered and the case has been dismissed from the Court’s docket.
2.  
United States of America ex rel. Jack J. Grynberg v. Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation, et al., U.S. District Court, Wyoming
The plaintiff filed a complaint in 1995, under the False Claims Act, on behalf of the United States of America, against approximately seventy pipelines, including Columbia Gulf and Columbia Transmission. The plaintiff claimed that the defendants had submitted false royalty reports to the government by mismeasuring natural gas produced on Federal land and Indian lands. The Plaintiff’s original complaint was dismissed without prejudice for misjoinder of parties and for failing to plead fraud with specificity. In 1997, the plaintiff filed over sixty-five new False Claims Act complaints against over 330 defendants in numerous Federal courts. One of those complaints was filed in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Columbia and thirteen affiliated entities (collectively, the “Columbia defendants”). This complaint repeats the mismeasurement claims previously made and adds valuation claims alleging that the defendants undervalued natural gas for royalty purposes in various ways, including sales to affiliated entities at artificially low prices. This case was transferred, along with other new Grynberg cases, to Federal District Court in Wyoming in 1999.
On October 20, 2006, the Federal District Court issued an Order granting the Columbia defendants’ motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Plaintiff appealed the dismissal of the Columbia defendants to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, but the Court affirmed the dismissal in March 2009 and then denied plaintiff’s motion to reconsider in May 2009. Plaintiff’s petition to the United States Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari has been denied.
3.  
Tawney, et al. v. Columbia Natural Resources, Inc., Roane County, WV Circuit Court
The Plaintiffs, who are West Virginia landowners, filed a lawsuit in early 2003 against CNR alleging that CNR underpaid royalties on gas produced on their land by improperly deducting post-production costs and not paying a fair value for the gas. In December 2004, the court granted plaintiffs’ motion to add NiSource and Columbia as defendants. Plaintiffs also claimed that the defendants fraudulently concealed the deduction of post-production charges. The court certified the case as a class action that includes any person who, after July 31, 1990, received or

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ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
is due royalties from CNR (and its predecessors or successors) on lands lying within the boundary of the state of West Virginia. All claims by the government of the United States are excluded from the class. Although NiSource sold CNR in 2003, NiSource remains obligated to manage this litigation and for the majority of any damages ultimately awarded to the plaintiffs. On January 27, 2007, the jury hearing the case returned a verdict against all defendants in the amount of $404.3 million; this is comprised of $134.3 million in compensatory damages and $270 million in punitive damages. In January 2008, the Defendants filed their petition for appeal, and on March 24, 2008, the Defendants filed their amended petition for appeal with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. On May 22, 2008, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals refused the defendants petition for appeal. On August 22, 2008, Defendants filed their petitions to the United States Supreme Court for writ of certiorari. The Plaintiffs filed their response on September 22, 2008. On September 19, 2008, the West Virginia Supreme Court issued an order extending the stay of the judgment until proceedings before the United States Supreme Court are fully concluded. Given the West Virginia Court’s refusal of the appeal, NiSource adjusted its reserve in the second quarter of 2008 to reflect the portion of the trial court judgment for which NiSource would be responsible, inclusive of interest. This amount was included in “Legal and environmental reserves,” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008. On October 24, 2008, the West Virginia Circuit Court for Roane County, West Virginia, preliminarily approved a settlement agreement with a total settlement amount of $380 million. The settlement received final approval by the Court on November 22, 2008. NiSource’s share of the settlement liability is up to $338.8 million. NiSource has complied with its obligations under the settlement agreement to fund $85.5 million in the qualified settlement fund by January 13, 2009. Additionally, NiSource provided a letter of credit on January 13, 2009 in the amount of $254 million and thereby complied with its obligation to secure the unpaid portion of the settlement. The trial court entered its order discharging the judgment on January 20, 2009. The Court is supervising the administration of the settlement proceeds. As of September 30, 2009, NiSource has contributed $208.2 million into the qualified settlement fund, $25 million of which was paid in 2008. NiSource has since contributed an additional $27.7 million. As of September, 30, 2009, $131.2 million of the associated letter of credit remains outstanding. NiSource will be required to make additional payments, pursuant to the settlement, upon notice from the Class Administrator.
4.  
John Thacker, et al. v. Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C., U.S. District Court, E.D. Kentucky Poplar Creek Development Company v. Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C., U.S. District Court, E.D. Kentucky
On February 8, 2007, Plaintiff filed the Thacker case, a purported class action alleging that Chesapeake has failed to pay royalty owners the correct amounts pursuant to the provisions of their oil and gas leases covering real property located within the state of Kentucky. Columbia has assumed the defense of Chesapeake in this matter pursuant to the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated July 3, 2003, among Columbia, NiSource, and Triana Energy Holding, Inc., Chesapeake’s predecessor in interest (“Stock Purchase Agreement”). Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on March 19, 2007, which, among other things, added NiSource and Columbia as defendants. On March 31, 2008, the Court denied the Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss; the Defendants filed their answers to the complaint on April 25, 2008. On June 3, 2008, the Plaintiffs moved to certify a class consisting of all persons entitled to payment of royalty by Chesapeake under leases operated by Chesapeake at any point after February 5, 1992, on real property in Kentucky.
In June 2009, the parties to the Thacker litigation presented a settlement agreement to the Court for preliminary approval. Plaintiffs requested that the Court order that the settlement agreement, which is contingent upon court approval, is fair, reasonable and adequate, that the class proposed is preliminarily certified, that plaintiffs counsel be conditionally appointed as class counsel, that the proposed form and manner of notice be approved and that dates be set for requested exclusions, objections and a formal fairness hearing. The Court granted the motion for preliminary approval and set a schedule for a fairness hearing on November 10, 2009.
On October 9, 2008, Chesapeake tendered the Poplar Creek case to Columbia and Columbia conditionally assumed the defense of this matter pursuant to the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement. Poplar Creek also purports to be a class action covering royalty owners in the state of Kentucky and alleges that Chesapeake has improperly deducted costs from the royalty payments; there is thus some overlap of parties and issues between the Poplar Creek and Thacker cases. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on October 12, 2008. Chesapeake filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings in December 2008 which was granted on July 2, 2009. Plaintiffs appealed the dismissal

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ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
and have subsequently asked that the proceedings on appeal be stayed until after the fairness hearing in Thacker is completed.
5.  
Environmental Protection Agency Notice of Violation
On September 29, 2004, the EPA issued an NOV to Northern Indiana for alleged violations of the CAA and the Indiana SIP. The NOV alleges that modifications were made to certain boiler units at three of Northern Indiana’s generating stations between the years 1985 and 1995 without obtaining appropriate air permits for the modifications. The ultimate resolution could require additional capital expenditures and operations and maintenance costs as well as payment of substantial penalties and development of supplemental environmental projects. Northern Indiana is currently in discussions with the EPA regarding possible resolutions to this NOV.
6.  
Majorsville Operations Center – PADEP Notice of Violation
In 1995, Columbia Transmission entered into an AOC with the EPA that requires Columbia Transmission characterize and remediate environmental contamination at thousands of locations along Columbia Transmission’s pipeline system. One of the facilities subject to the AOC is the Majorsville Operations Center, which was remediated under an EPA approved Remedial Action Work Plan in summer 2008. Pursuant to the Remedial Action Work Plan, Columbia Transmission completed a project that stabilized residual oil contained in soils at the site and in sediments in an adjacent stream.
On April 23, 2009, however, PADEP issued Columbia Transmission an NOV, alleging that the remediation was not effective. The NOV asserts violations of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act and contains a settlement demand in the amount of $1 million. Columbia Transmission is unable to estimate the likelihood or cost of potential penalties or additional remediation at this time.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There are many factors that could have a material adverse effect on NiSource’s operating results, financial condition and cash flows. New risks may emerge at any time, and NiSource cannot predict those risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect financial performance. In addition to the risks listed in the “Risk Factors” section of NiSource’s 2008 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2009, the risks described below could adversely impact the value of NiSource’s securities.
Continued adverse economic and market conditions or increases in interest rates could reduce net revenue growth, increase costs, decrease future net income and cash flows and impact capital resources and liquidity needs.
The credit markets and the general economy have been experiencing a period of large-scale turmoil and upheaval characterized by the bankruptcy, failure, collapse or sale of various financial institutions and an unprecedented level of intervention from the United States federal government. While the ultimate outcome of these events cannot be predicted, it may have an adverse material effect on NiSource. A continued decline in the economy impacting NiSource’s operating jurisdictions could further adversely affect NiSource’s ability to grow its customer base and collect revenues from customers, which could reduce net revenue growth and increase operating costs. An increase in the interest rates NiSource pays would adversely affect future net income and cash flows. In addition, NiSource depends on debt to finance its operations, including both working capital and capital expenditures, and would be adversely affected by increases in interest rates. The current economic downturn and tightening of access to credit markets, coupled with NiSource’s current credit ratings, could impact NiSource’s ability to raise additional capital or refinance debt at a reasonable cost. Refer to Note 14, “Long-Term Debt,” of the Consolidated Financial statements for information related to outstanding long-term debt and maturities of that debt.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)
NiSource Inc.
NiSource is exposed to risk that customers will not remit payment for delivered energy or services, and that suppliers or counterparties will not perform under various financial or operating agreements.
NiSource’s extension of credit is governed by a Corporate Credit Risk Policy, involves considerable judgment and is based on an evaluation of a customer or counterparty’s financial condition, credit history and other factors. Credit risk exposure is monitored by obtaining credit reports and updated financial information for customers and suppliers, and by evaluating the financial status of its banking partners and other counterparties through the use of market-based metrics such as credit default swap pricing levels, and also through traditional credit ratings provided by the major credit rating agencies. Continued adverse economic conditions could increase credit risk and could result in a material adverse effect on NiSource.
The majority of NiSource’s net revenues are subject to economic regulation and are exposed to the impact of regulatory rate reviews and proceedings.
Virtually all of NiSource’s net revenues are subject to economic regulation at either the federal or state level. As such, the net revenues generated by those regulated companies are subject to regulatory review by the applicable federal or state authority. These rate reviews determine the energy rates charged to customers and directly impact revenues. As part of a settlement reached in a previous regulatory proceeding, Northern Indiana filed a petition for new electric base rates and charges on June 27, 2008 and filed its case-in-chief on August 29, 2008. New rates are anticipated to take effect in 2010. The outcome for any rate case could have a material effect on NiSource’s financial results.
NiSource’s business operations are subject to economic conditions in certain industries.
Business operation throughout our service territories have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic events at the national and local level where we operate. In particular, sales to large industrial customers may be impacted by economic downturns. The U.S. manufacturing industry continues to adjust to changing market conditions including international competition, increase costs, and fluctuating demand for their products.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
NiSource Inc.
(31.1)  
Certification of Robert C. Skaggs, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
 
(31.2)  
Certification of Stephen P. Smith, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
 
(32.1)  
Certification of Robert C. Skaggs, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
 
(32.2)  
Certification of Stephen P. Smith, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
     
*  
Exhibit attached hereto.
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, NiSource hereby agrees to furnish the SEC, upon request, any instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of NiSource not filed as an exhibit herein. No such instrument authorizes long-term debt securities in excess of 10% of the total assets of NiSource and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

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SIGNATURE
NiSource Inc.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  NiSource Inc.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: October 30, 2009  By:   /s/ Jeffrey W. Grossman    
    Jeffrey W. Grossman   
    Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer
and Duly Authorized Officer) 
 
 

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