Columbia Gas of Ohio Background

Columbia Gas of Ohio, headquartered in Columbus, is an investor-owned public utility that sells natural gas and provides gas transportation services to customers in Ohio. The company serves 1.3 million of Ohio's approximately three million natural gas customers. Columbia is the state's largest natural gas utility, serving more than 1,000 communities in 64 of Ohio's 88 counties with a service territory covering approximately 25,400 square miles. The primary Ohio metropolitan areas served include Columbus, Toledo, Parma, Mansfield and Springfield.

Columbia Gas of Ohio is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). NiSource distribution companies serve 3.7 million gas and electric customers primarily in nine states.

The company is a leader in the development of natural gas technology and products, as well as innovative programs such as the Customer CHOICE^sm program. The CHOICE® program provides residential and small commercial customers the opportunity to reduce their energy costs by purchasing their natural gas from non-utility suppliers, while Columbia Gas of Ohio continues to deliver the gas and provides all local services. It is one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States.