Columbia Gas to hire 125 for pipeline work

Columbia Gas of Ohio Inc. is hiring 125 workers, including 30 in northwest Ohio, for its ongoing pipeline replacement program that is budgeted at $140 million for 2011.

Chris Kozak, a utility spokesman, said pipeline investment in northwest Ohio totals $24 million and Columbia Gas will need construction coordinators, field technicians, service technicians, and field/service technicians. The new hires are in addition to 125 already hired.

The utility is spending $2 billion to upgrade 4,000 miles of pipeline across its Ohio service territory over the next 25 years. Job seekers can apply for available positions at www.nisource.jobs, Mr. Kozak said.