Naperville, IL. - December 15, 2008 "“ Today Nicor encouraged Illinois students to enter its annual Energy by Design poster contest and utilize their holiday breaks from school to create their energy efficiency posters. Energy by Design is a visual arts contest designed to bring students, teachers, and families together to become more aware of how to use energy wisely and its effects on the environment. New to this year's contest materials are the inclusion of "green tips" which help educate students on ways to help improve the environment. Students in kindergarten through grade 8 who attend schools within Nicor's service area are eligible to participate.

Receiving over 900 entries from 31 communities within its service territory last year, Nicor's Energy by Design contest continues to build upon a 14-year tradition of providing energy-related teaching materials to schools. Energy by Design was developed by Nicor and the National Energy Foundation to enhance Nicor's existing free natural gas instructional materials program in a new and exciting way.

"Nicor is encouraging students to use their imagination during the holiday break by making creative posters that are educational and informative while participating in the chance to win various prizes," said Margi Schiemann, Director of Community Relations for Nicor Gas. "Students who understand the importance of energy efficiency will be better prepared to make informed decisions that will positively impact the nation's environment," Schiemann continued.

To enter the Energy by Design contest, administered by teachers who chose to participate, young students are invited to create a poster that will educate others on how to be energy efficient. Contest materials, with new "green tips" about the environment, encourage students to think about how they use energy and what they can do to promote energy efficiency. Students are also asked to write a reflection about the most important lesson they learned while creating their poster.

"Energy by Design helps to motivate and challenge students to learn more about the importance of using energy wisely and how they can help reduce energy costs both at home and school. This contest also provides teachers with an exciting and interesting way to incorporate energy education into the classroom curriculum and in many cases students present their posters and reflections to classmates, teaching their classmates about what they learned," Schiemann added.

Entries are divided into three age-appropriate categories: grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. In each grade category there are four winners "“ Grand Prize, First Place Finalist, Second Place Finalist, and Third Place Finalist. There is also an award category for teachers whose student wins the Grand Prize. All contest participants will receive a certificate of recognition.

To garner student participation, contest material packets were sent to teachers within Nicor's service territory. Nicor encourages students to check with their teachers about having their class enter. Contest information packets and registration materials can also be downloaded at EnergybyDesign.org.

The deadline to enter is February 12, 2009. A panel of independent judges will choose winners in the three grade categories: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Winners will be notified in late March.

Grand prize winners in each category will win a:

• $1000 U.S. savings bond
  
• Pizza party for their classroom
  
• Prize pack filled with fun, age-appropriate prizes
  
• Congratulatory plaque recognizing the student (which may be displayed at the winners' schools)

• $250 U.S. savings bond
  
• Pizza party for their classroom
  
• Prize pack filled with fun, age-appropriate prizes.
  
• Congratulatory plaque recognizing the student (which may be displayed at the winners' schools)

Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation’s largest natural gas distribution companies. Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicor.com.

NICOR Inc.

NICOR Inc.

Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies. Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses.

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