UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 -------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 29, 2004 NISOURCE INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Delaware 001-16189 35-2108964 (State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 801 East 86th Avenue Merrillville, Indiana 46410 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (877) 647-5990 Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT On December 29, 2004, NiSource Inc. (the "Company") entered into the First Amendment, effective as of January 1, 2005 (the "Amendment"), to the Savings Restoration Plan for NiSource Inc. and Affiliates (the "Plan"). The Amendment will change the eligibility requirement of the Plan to limit new participation to those employees who receive compensation in excess of the limitations set forth in Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17) or who defer compensation into the NiSource Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. On January 3, 2005, the Company granted non-qualified stock options to certain of its employees, including its named and other executive officers, under the NiSource Inc. 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2004, and as further amended effective January 1, 2005. The options were granted pursuant to the Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2. ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits. EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- 10.1 First Amendment to the Savings Restoration Plan for NiSource Inc. and Affiliates. 10.2 Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. NISOURCE INC. Date: January 3, 2005 By: /s/ Gary W. Pottorff ----------------------------- Gary W. Pottorff Secretary EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description ----------- ----------- 10.1 First Amendment to the Savings Restoration Plan for NiSource Inc. and Affiliates. 10.2 Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement.