Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania : and Employees Donate over $650,000 to Non-Profit Organizations in 2017

Local utility and employees provide contributions to approximately 240 charities throughout 26 counties

CANONSBURG, Pa. - Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc. is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our customers, employees and communities we serve. Through Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania's Community Investment Program, the Company and its employees donate time, money, and other resources each year to hundreds of local philanthropic programs and organizations across our 26-county service area, focusing on:

• Public Safety & Emergency Response
• Environmental Stewardship
• Community & Economic Development

Last year, Columbia Gas and its employees donated more than $650,000 to approximately 240 individual charities and the United Way.

The $650,000 includes the contribution of $162,000, representing employees' personal income pledged to the United Way. 'This is the eleventh consecutive year that we increased donations for the United Way campaign. This is a true testament to our employees' commitment to the communities in which they live and work,' said Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania President Mike Huwar.

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is also the local representative of its parent company's charitable foundation, the NiSource Foundation. Nearly $75,000 in NiSource Foundation grants were distributed throughout Pennsylvania in 2017.

Additional Foundation funds were donated to non-profit thanks to the Foundation's employee volunteer match program. 'Our employees have a passion for volunteering,' said CPA/CMD Community Engagement Manager Sarah Perry. 'Over the past year, Columbia Gas employees donated over 1,500 hours of volunteer time and thanks to the NiSource Foundation Dollars for Doers program, those hours translated to over $30,000 in donations to approximately 40 different non-profit organization.'

'If monetary resources and volunteering time weren't enough, employees across the state went above and beyond donating 125 units of blood through American Red Cross blood drives, helping to save the lives of 375 patients,' said Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Vice President and General Manager Mike Davidson.

For more information about Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania's community support, including how non-profits within the natural gas utility's service territory can apply for a grant, please visit www.columbiagaspa.com/givingback.

Company charitable contributions are not funded by customers though utility service rates. Charitable contributions are primarily funded by shareholders as a core part of the Company's commitment to support the communities and customers it serves.

About Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania

Media Contact:
Sarah Perry
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