DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,335

NORTHERN INDIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY (NIPSCO)
MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA

Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness
Act of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of an investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance,
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met:

(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers
in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision
thereof, have become totally or partially separated,
or are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly
to the separations, or threat thereof, and to the
absolute decline in sales or production.



The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on April 15, 2002, and filed by the United Steelworkers
of America, Local 12775, on behalf of workers at Northern
Indiana Public Service Company, Merrillville, Indiana (NIPSCO).
The workers produce and distribute electricity and natural gas.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that there were no company im-
ports of articles like or directly competitive with the natural
gas and electricity produced at Indiana Public Service Company,
Merrillville, Indiana.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of major
customers of Indiana Public Service Company, Merrillville,
Indiana, regarding their purchases of natural gas and electri-
city in 2000, 2001, and the first-quarter of 2002. The survey
revealed that no respondent reported importing any natural gas
or electricity while decreasing purchases from the subject firm
during the relevant period.









Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of the
Indiana Public Service Company, Merrillville, Indiana are denied
eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed at Washington, D.C., this 2nd day of July, 2002.


/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance