May 9, 2003


Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20549


                       INTERIM REPORT UNDER RULE 24 OF THE
                   PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935
                              COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP
                              801 East 86th Avenue
                             Merrillville, IN 46410

                                File No. 70-9127


Gentlemen:

         In compliance with the terms and conditions of Rule 24 under the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, and the Order of the Commission dated
January 23, 1998, authorizing the financing transactions and business activities
as more fully described in the Joint Application/Declaration, as amended, the
undersigned hereby certifies to the Commission that:

                        CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED.



                                                 Very truly yours,

                                                 Columbia Energy Group

                                                 By:   /s/ Jeffrey W. Grossman
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                         Jeffrey W. Grossman
                                                           Vice President