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EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated
February 18, 2000 (except with respect to the Note "Announcement of Merger
Agreement with Columbia Energy Group," as to which the date is February 28,
2000) included in or incorporated by reference in the annual report on Form 10-K
for NiSource Inc. [a corporate predecessor (incorporated in Indiana) of NiSource
Inc. (incorporated in Delaware)] for the year ended December 31, 1999; our
report dated May 2, 2000 included in the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
period ended March 31, 2000; our report dated August 9, 2000 included in the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2000; and our report
dated October 30, 2000 included in the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
period ended September 30, 2000; and to all references to our Firm included in
this registration statement.
/s/Arthur Andersen LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 17, 2000
