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Nicor Gas Celebrates Careers in Energy Week

Nicor Gas, the largest natural gas distribution company in northern Illinois, is partnering with the Illinois Energy Workforce Consortium (IEWC) and other Illinois-based energy groups to increase public awareness of a variety of careers within the energy industry, and to emphasize the important role energy companies play in the local economy.

Careers in the energy sector are on the rise. The Illinois Department of Employment Security predicts that there will be a growth of more than 50,000 energy-related jobs by 2022.

As part of the energy career awareness efforts, Nicor Gas is supporting Careers in Energy Week (October 12 - 18), which recently received an official proclamation by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. It supports a national initiative led by the Center for Energy Workforce Development, a non-profit organization comprised of electric, natural gas and nuclear utilities and their industry associations.

During the week, Nicor Gas is sponsoring an energy career awareness campaign that includes informational email blasts to Illinois schools, ads on job-related internet sites and a special careers-oriented webpage, www.nicorgas.com/DiscoverCareersInEnergy, targeting parents and educators, as well as students in grades 5 through 12. The webpage features several Nicor Gas employees who describe their jobs, most of which are essential to helping the company provide safe and reliable natural gas service to its more than 2.2 million customers in 656 communities.

"Our children are our future, and this program will help build our future workforce by exposing our youth to - and educating them about - careers in the ever-changing natural gas industry," said Pat Whiteside, vice president of Nicor Gas Business Support. Whiteside serves as executive sponsor of the IEWC.

Nicor Gas will be participating in the following Careers in Energy Week events:

Tues., Oct. 13, Joliet Junior College Exploring Careers in Energy, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Exploring Careers in Energy is aimed at engaging high school students in conversations about career paths and opportunities in the energy field, such as engineering, construction and operations. The interactive event supports ongoing school district career readiness and exposure efforts. The event will be held at Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Rd., (U-Auditorium) in Joliet.

Thurs., Oct. 15, Moraine Valley Community College Career Fair, 2 - 5 p.m. - Nicor Gas will interact with students and job seekers about career opportunities in the energy and energy-related industries. The event will be held at Moraine Valley Community College, (Business and Conference Center, Building M), 9000 W. College Pkwy., in Palos Hills. For more information visit www.morainevalley.edu/events/fall-job-fair.

Thurs., Oct. 15, Prairie State College TRiO Talent Search, 6 - 8 p.m. - In conjunction with Prairie State College's TRiO Education Talent Search (ETS) program, Nicor Gas will engage minority students about opportunities and careers in the energy industry. TRiO is funded by the US Department of Education and is designed to motivate and support students in grades 6-12 by providing career exploration and much more. The event will be held at Prairie State College located at 202 S. Halsted St., in Chicago Heights. For more information visit www.prairiestate.edu/student-services/advising-and-counseling/trio-talent-search.

Sat., Oct. 17, Northern Illinois University STEMfest, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Northern Illinois University STEM departments, student groups, regional corporations, museums, educators, and national labs are joining forces to present hundreds of activities to educate people of all ages. Nicor Gas will provide information about opportunities and careers in the energy industry. The event will be held at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb.

For more information visit www.stemfest.niu.edu/stemfest/index.shtml

Sat., Oct. 17, Museum of Science & Industry's Science Works: Cool Jobs, Hot Careers, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Museum of Science & Industry's Science Works: Cool Jobs, Hot Careers will feature educational activities and interesting jobs from the professionals at a museum-wide STEM career fair. Nicor Gas will provide information about opportunities and careers in the energy industry. The event will be held at MSU in Chicago. For more information visit www.msichicago.org/programs/science-work.

Later this month, representatives from Nicor Gas also will visit middle and high schools to make presentations about the company, careers in the industry and the attributes and skills Nicor Gas looks for in workforce candidates.

In addition to Nicor Gas, the consortium includes Ameren Illinois Corp., Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, ComEd and Exelon Generation, Energy Learning Exchange - Illinois State University, Mt. Carmel Public Utility Company, North Shore Gas, Peoples Gas, Prairie State Generating Company and others.

For more information visit www.nicorgas.com/community/discover-careers-in-energy

For more information about IEWC visit http://consortia.getintoenergy.com/illinois/careersinenergyweek/

About Nicor Gas

Nicor Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources (NYSE: GAS), is a natural gas distribution company that serves more than 2 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit www.nicorgas.com.

About AGL Resources

AGL Resources (NYSE: GAS) is an Atlanta-based energy services holding company with operations in natural gas distribution, retail operations, wholesale services and midstream operations. AGL Resources serves approximately 4.5 million utility customers through its regulated distribution subsidiaries in seven states. The company also serves over one million retail customers through its SouthStar Energy Services joint venture and Pivotal Home Solutions, which market natural gas and related home services. Other non-utility businesses include asset management for natural gas wholesale customers through Sequent Energy Management and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. AGL Resources is a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500 Index. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com.

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