Fitch Withdraws Nicor, Inc. Ratings Following AGL Merger Closing

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Fitch Ratings has withdrawn the ratings of Nicor, Inc. (Nicor) following the closing of the merger with AGL Resources, Inc. (AGL). As noted in Fitch Ratings' Dec. 7, 2011 rating action commentary, Fitch is withdrawing the ratings as the former parent of Northern Illinois Gas Company effectively ceased to exist following the closing earlier this month. Fitch continues to rate AGL (IDR 'A-') and its subsidiaries, including Northern Illinois Gas Company (d/b/a Nicor Gas, IDR 'A').

The following ratings have been withdrawn:

Nicor Inc.

--IDR 'A';

--Senior Unsecured 'A';

--Short-Term IDR 'F1';

--Commercial Paper 'F1'.

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. The ratings above were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch has been compensated for the provision of the ratings.

Applicable Crtieria and Related Research:

--'Corporate Rating Methodology' (Aug. 12, 2011);

--'Notching and Recovery Ratings for the Utilities Sector' (Aug. 12, 2011);

--'Parent and Subsidiary Rating Linkage' (Aug. 12, 2011).

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

Corporate Rating Methodology

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=647229

Recovery Ratings and Notching Criteria for Utilities

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=648449

Parent and Subsidiary Rating Linkage

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=647210

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