Alliant Energy Wind Development Positioned for Growth

Oct 04 - PRNewswire-FirstCall

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Energy officials announced today that the extension of renewable energy production tax credits (PTC) -- part of the new family tax cut bill to be signed in Des Moines today by President Bush -- will allow its utilities to proceed with plans to add 230 megawatts (MW) of wind generation to its already substantial renewable portfolio. The bill will also allow Alliant Energy's WindConnect(TM) division to resume the development of wind energy projects in locations all over the country.

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"Extension of the PTC is welcome news for Alliant Energy," says Frank Greb, General Manager - Wind Business Development. "Uncertainty surrounding the extension had brought the company's wind energy development business to a standstill, but today's action will allow Alliant Energy to affirm its strong commitment to being a leader in renewable energy."

While the PTC awaited passage in Congress for several months, Alliant Energy executives looked for assistance from U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), whose strong leadership ultimately enabled the provision to move forward. "Senator Grassley's work to advance initiatives in energy will protect and create more jobs in our wind energy business," says Greb.

Alliant Energy's WindConnect(TM) division has built a strong nationwide reputation for its superior work with wind farm developers in designing, engineering and constructing the electrical infrastructure for wind power facilities. The realization that there was a need not only to build wind farms, but for specialists with the knowledge to connect them to the grid, opened the door to projects in Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Tennessee to name a few.

In December 2003, Alliant Energy announced plans to add 1,600 MW of generation to its portfolio, including 230 MW of wind generation in its Iowa and Wisconsin service territories. At year end 2003, Alliant Energy was already providing its customers with nearly seven percent of the total wind capacity in the United States.

"As part of our commitment to provide our customers with safe, reliable, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly power, wind energy continues to be an important energy source to our company," states Kim Zuhlke, Vice President - New Energy Resources.

The company continues to receive proposals from landowners who wish to partner with Alliant Energy to develop wind energy facilities. Several proposals are currently being reviewed.

In July 2004, Alliant Energy and several of its wind development partners joined Iowa's Governor Tom Vilsack at the dedication ceremony of the Flying Cloud Wind Farm in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where the governor celebrated his declaration of Wind Energy Week in Iowa. During the event, Zuhlke presented a scholarship check from the Alliant Energy Foundation to Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) to support students in ILCC's new Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program. With the PTC extension, Zuhlke and Greb hope to partner with ILCC again to offer internships to students in the program.

Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider that serves more than three million customers worldwide. Providing its regulated customers in the Midwest with electricity and natural gas service remains the company's primary focus. Other key business platforms include the international energy market and non-regulated domestic generation. Alliant Energy is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.alliantenergy.com/ .

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Alliant Energy

CONTACT: Media, Risa Shipley, +1-319-786-7685, or Investor Relations,Becky Johnson, +1-608-458-3267, both of Alliant Energy

Web site: http://www.alliantenergy.com/