South Shore Line Trains Now Run on Green Power

Partnership with NIPSCO Makes “Riding on Renewable Energy” Possible

Riders on the South Shore Line trains can feel good about doing their part to help the environment, thanks to a unique partnership between Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD).

Beginning today, all of the South Shore Line’s services and 41 daily trains running through northern Indiana will be powered exclusively by renewable energy – primarily from wind and solar energy resources.

There is no cost increase to riders, the South Shore Line or NIPSCO customers.

“Our trains, which are already considered to be one of the cleanest modes of transportation, just got a little cleaner,” said John Parsons, NICTD planning and marketing director. “When NIPSCO approached us about the opportunity, we felt it was a great fit and we are hopeful that it will help provide an added incentive to attract new riders to the South Shore Line.”

To ensure the electricity used by the South Shore Line to power its train system can be attributed to renewable energy, NIPSCO has purchased Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for the train system. RECs are the environmental attributes that are derived when electricity is generated from renewable and/or environmentally friendly sources.

These RECs will be certified through Green-e®, a recognized national organization that ensures RECs are created from the proper sources and are properly claimed.

“This partnership is another example of our ongoing efforts to help promote environmental sustainability and stewardship,” said Kathleen O’Leary, NIPSCO president. “We’re doing our part to support the local environment, and we want to help empower our customers to do the same."

NIPSCO will purchase the RECs for a six-week period from July 16-Aug. 30, 2012.

The partnership also helps raise awareness for NIPSCO’s proposed Green Power Rate program – which is currently being reviewed by Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). The program would allow NIPSCO customers to designate a portion, or all of their monthly electric usage to be attributable to power generated by renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and hydroelectric power.

For a complete list of South Shore Line’s train schedules, visit www.nictd.com.

Or, to learn more about what you can do to help support the environment, and to see what NIPSCO is doing, visit NIPSCO.com/environment.