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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Registration Statement<BR>
under<BR>
The Securities Act of 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>NiSource Inc.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>35-2108964</B><BR>
(I.R.S. employer<BR>
identification no.)</TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>801 East 86th Avenue<BR>
Merrillville, Indiana 46410</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>NISOURCE INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>David J. Vajda<BR>
Vice President and Treasurer<BR>
NiSource Inc.<BR>
801 East 86th Avenue<BR>
Merrillville, Indiana 46410</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>(219)&nbsp;647-5520</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>With a copy to:</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Robert J. Minkus<BR>
Schiff Hardin LLP<BR>
6600 Sears Tower<BR>
Chicago, Illinois 60606<BR>
(312)&nbsp;258-5500</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>offering price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>per share</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>offering price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par value $.01 share
(including Common Stock Purchase Rights)</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">400,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$22.975(1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$9,190,000(1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$1,081.66(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Interests in the Plan</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</DIV>



<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated on the basis of $22.975 per share, the average of the high and low sales prices of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on August&nbsp;17, 2005. (See Rules 457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933.)</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the Plan described herein for which no separate fee is required.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Common Stock
which become issuable under the Plan pursuant to this Registration Statement by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the
number of the Registrant&#146;s outstanding shares of Common Stock.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which is being provided to
participants in the NiSource Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan in conjunction with this registration statement also relates to the shares
registered under the Registration Statement on Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;13 on Form S-8 to Form S-4 dated November&nbsp;2, 2000 (File No.
333-33896-01) of NiSource Inc.
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES &#151; EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We are filing this registration statement to register an additional 400,000 shares of our
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), for issuance under the NiSource Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). The increase in the number of shares authorized for
issuance under the Plan was approved by our stockholders at our 2005 annual meeting held on May&nbsp;10,
2005. On November&nbsp;2, 2000 we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Post-Effective
Amendment No.&nbsp;13 on Form S-8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. Nos. 333-33896 and
333-33896-01) (the &#147;Prior Registration Statement&#148;), registering 240,000 shares of our Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Plan. Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the
Prior Registration Statement are incorporated herein by reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All information required in this Registration Statement not included in the exhibits attached
hereto or set forth on the signature page is set forth in the Prior Registration Statement, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction E to Form
S-8.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed by the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>All other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the end of 2004; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock and Rights contained in the
Registrant&#146;s Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated April&nbsp;24, 2000.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant or the Plan pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to
the extent that a statement herein, or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this registration statement.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests Of Named Experts And Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Schiff Hardin LLP, Chicago, Illinois, acting on behalf of the Registrant, has passed upon the
validity of the securities offered hereby. Peter V. Fazio, Jr., a partner of the firm who also
serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Registrant, holds approximately
11,400 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Exhibits filed herewith are set forth on the Exhibit&nbsp;Index filed as part of this
Registration Statement.
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>The Registrant</U>. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Merrillville, State of
Indiana, on August&nbsp;23, 2005.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 50%"><FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS"><B>NiSource Inc.</B></FONT><BR>
(Registrant)

</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="0%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Robert C. Skaggs, Jr.</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;Robert C. Skaggs, Jr.<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>President and Chief Executive Officer</I></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Know All Persons By These Presents, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Michael W. O&#146;Donnell, Jeffrey W. Grossman or David J. Vajda or any one of them his or
her true lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and re-substitution for
him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority, to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the
premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U><B>Signature</B></U></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U><B>Title</B></U></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U><B>Date</B></U></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert C Skaggs, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Principal Executive Officer) and</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Robert C Skaggs, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Executive Vice President and Chief</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael W. O&#146;Donnell
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Financial Officer (Principal Financial</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Michael W. O&#146;Donnell
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/Jeffrey W. Grossman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Vice President and Controller</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Jeffrey W. Grossman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Principal Accounting Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Gary L. Neale
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Gary L. Neale</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/Steven C. Beering
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Steven C. Beering</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/Steven R. McCracken
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Steven R. McCracken</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/Ian M. Rolland
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Ian M. Rolland</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John W. Thompson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">John W. Thompson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Richard L. Thompson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Richard L. Thompson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert J. Welsh
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Robert J. Welsh</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Roger A. Young
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">August&nbsp;23, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Roger A. Young</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>The Plan</U>. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Plan
Administrator has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Tow of Merrillville,
State of Indiana, on August&nbsp;23,
2005.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 50%"><B>NISOURCE INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK<br> PURCHASE PLAN</B>

</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="0%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Gary W. Pottorff</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;Gary W. Pottorff, Plan Administrator</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">6
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="94%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><u><B>Number</B></u></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><u><B>Exhibit</B></u></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Rights Agreement between NiSource Inc. and ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C., as rights agent, dated November&nbsp;1, 2000
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the NiSource Inc.
Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed November&nbsp;1, 2000)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Schiff Hardin LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Schiff Hardin LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">7
</DIV>
</BODY>
</HTML>
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sv8
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
Registration Statement
under
The Securities Act of 1933
NiSource Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
35-2108964
(I.R.S. employer
identification no.)
801 East 86th Avenue
Merrillville, Indiana 46410
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
NISOURCE INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
David J. Vajda
Vice President and Treasurer
NiSource Inc.
801 East 86th Avenue
Merrillville, Indiana 46410
(Name and address of agent for service)
(219) 647-5520
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Robert J. Minkus
Schiff Hardin LLP
6600 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 258-5500
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Amount
maximum
maximum
to be
offering price
aggregate
Amount of
Title of Securities to be Registered
registered
per share
offering price
registration fee
Common Stock, par value $.01 share
(including Common Stock Purchase Rights)
400,000
$22.975(1)
$9,190,000(1)
$1,081.66(1)
Interests in the Plan
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(1)
Estimated on the basis of $22.975 per share, the average of the high and low sales prices of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on August 17, 2005. (See Rules 457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933.)
(2)
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the Plan described herein for which no separate fee is required.
Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Common Stock
which become issuable under the Plan pursuant to this Registration Statement by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the
number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.
The prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which is being provided to
participants in the NiSource Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan in conjunction with this registration statement also relates to the shares
registered under the Registration Statement on Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 on Form S-8 to Form S-4 dated November 2, 2000 (File No.
333-33896-01) of NiSource Inc.
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES — EXPLANATORY NOTE
We are filing this registration statement to register an additional 400,000 shares of our
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), for issuance under the NiSource Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"). The increase in the number of shares authorized for
issuance under the Plan was approved by our stockholders at our 2005 annual meeting held on May 10,
2005. On November 2, 2000 we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13 on Form S-8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. Nos. 333-33896 and
333-33896-01) (the "Prior Registration Statement"), registering 240,000 shares of our Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Plan. Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the
Prior Registration Statement are incorporated herein by reference.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
All information required in this Registration Statement not included in the exhibits attached
hereto or set forth on the signature page is set forth in the Prior Registration Statement, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction E to Form
S-8.
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference:
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2004;
(b)
All other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the end of 2004; and
(c)
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock and Rights contained in the
Registrant's Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated April 24, 2000.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant or the Plan pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to
the extent that a statement herein, or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this registration statement.
2
Item 5. Interests Of Named Experts And Counsel.
Schiff Hardin LLP, Chicago, Illinois, acting on behalf of the Registrant, has passed upon the
validity of the securities offered hereby. Peter V. Fazio, Jr., a partner of the firm who also
serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Registrant, holds approximately
11,400 shares of the Registrant's common stock.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The Exhibits filed herewith are set forth on the Exhibit Index filed as part of this
Registration Statement.
3
SIGNATURES
The Registrant
. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Merrillville, State of
Indiana, on August 23, 2005.
NiSource Inc.
(Registrant)
By
/s/ Robert C. Skaggs, Jr.
Robert C. Skaggs, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know All Persons By These Presents, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Michael W. O'Donnell, Jeffrey W. Grossman or David J. Vajda or any one of them his or
her true lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and re-substitution for
him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority, to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the
premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
President, Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Robert C Skaggs, Jr.
(Principal Executive Officer) and
Robert C Skaggs, Jr.
Director
August 23, 2005
Executive Vice President and Chief
/s/ Michael W. O'Donnell
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Michael W. O'Donnell
Officer)
August 23, 2005
4
/s/Jeffrey W. Grossman
Vice President and Controller
Jeffrey W. Grossman
(Principal Accounting Officer)
August 23, 2005
/s/ Gary L. Neale
Director
August 23, 2005
Gary L. Neale
/s/Steven C. Beering
Director
August 23, 2005
Steven C. Beering
/s/Steven R. McCracken
Director
August 23, 2005
Steven R. McCracken
/s/Ian M. Rolland
Director
August 23, 2005
Ian M. Rolland
/s/ John W. Thompson
Director
August 23, 2005
John W. Thompson
/s/ Richard L. Thompson
Director
August 23, 2005
Richard L. Thompson
/s/ Robert J. Welsh
Director
August 23, 2005
Robert J. Welsh
/s/ Roger A. Young
Director
August 23, 2005
Roger A. Young
5
The Plan
. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Plan
Administrator has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Tow of Merrillville,
State of Indiana, on August 23,
2005.
NISOURCE INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK
PURCHASE PLAN
By:
/s/ Gary W. Pottorff
Gary W. Pottorff, Plan Administrator
6
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
4
Rights Agreement between NiSource Inc. and ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C., as rights agent, dated November 1, 2000
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the NiSource Inc.
Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 1, 2000)
5
Opinion of Schiff Hardin LLP
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2
Consent of Schiff Hardin LLP (included in Exhibit 5)
24
Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page).
7