CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- This year will mark another step forward in the transition to cleaner energy for Alliant Energy's Iowa utility.

"For several years, we have been executing a plan to create cleaner and more efficient ways to generate energy for our customers," said Doug Kopp, President of Alliant Energy's Iowa utility. "Iowans are already seeing the benefits of our work, and our next projects will deliver even more clean-energy solutions."

Alliant Energy's clean energy is possible by:

1. Increasing renewable energy sources
2. Increasing the use of cleaner-burning natural gas
3. Installing new technology to reduce emissions at coal-fired generating stations

Alliant Energy will continue to reduce emissions as part of a settlement agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the Sierra Club, Linn County and the State of Iowa.

"The terms we negotiated in this settlement are consistent with our long-term plan for clean energy," said Kopp. "We settled with the EPA to avoid unnecessary delays and ongoing uncertainty associated with litigation."

Most of the projects included in the settlement have already been completed or are planned. Projects scheduled at Alliant Energy's smaller coal-fired generating stations have already been announced.

Emission reductions at Alliant Energy's largest coal-fired generating stations in Iowa:

• Lansing Generating Station (Lansing, Iowa)
  • Baghouse and selective catalytic reduction installed in 2010 have reduced mercury emissions by 90 percent and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 80 percent.
  • Scrubber system installed this year will reduce sulfur dioxide (SO₂) by an estimated 90 percent.
• Ottumwa Generating Station (Ottumwa, Iowa)
  • Baghouse and scrubber system installed in 2014 have reduced mercury and SO₂ emissions by 90 percent.
  • Additional emission control equipment installed by the end of 2019 will further reduce NO_X emissions.

Alliant Energy anticipates its coal-fired generating fleet will meet the air emissions limits identified in the settlement due to completed and future initiatives.

Transformation continues at Alliant Energy's smaller coal-fired generating stations in Iowa:

• Prairie Creek Generation Station (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
  • The largest unit will fully transition to natural gas in 2017.
  • The smaller units will stop burning coal by the end of 2025.
• Burlington Generation Station (Burlington, Iowa) will stop burning coal by the end of 2021, and potentially transition to natural gas.
• M.L. Kapp Generating Station (Clinton, Iowa), Dubuque Generating Station (Dubuque, Iowa) and Sutherland Generating Station (Marshalltown, Iowa) have already transitioned to natural gas.

Environmental investment:
Alliant Energy will invest $6 million in beneficial environmental projects over the next five years, which may include:

• Development of solar facilities
• Replacing traditional utility bucket trucks with hybrid trucks
• Development or expansion of anaerobic digesters

Settlement background:
In 2011, Alliant Energy collaborated with the EPA, Sierra Club, Linn County and the State of Iowa to create a solution that avoids unnecessary delays and ongoing uncertainty associated with litigation. Those discussions resulted in a settlement, the details of which are contained in a Consent Decree, lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.

Financial information:

• Projects identified in the settlement have already been included in Alliant Energy's forecasted capital expenditure plans.
• Under the terms of the settlement, Alliant Energy will pay a $1.1 million civil penalty.

Alliant Energy Corporation's Iowa and Minnesota utility subsidiary, Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), utilizes the trade name of Alliant Energy. The Iowa and Minnesota utility is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and provides electric service to 530,000 customers and natural gas service to 235,000 customers in over 700 communities. The employees of Alliant Energy focus on delivering the energy and exceptional service their customers and communities expect – safely, efficiently, and responsibly. Visit alliantenergy.com or call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) for more information. Alliant Energy Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified as such because the statements include words such as "anticipates," "will" or other words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe future emissions reductions, plant transformations and investments are also forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Actual results could be affected by such factors as: state or federal regulatory actions or local government actions, including inability to obtain all necessary approvals and permits; unanticipated construction issues, delays or expenditures; failure of equipment and technology to perform as expected; changes to environmental regulations; current or future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries that could impede the implementation of the IPL's plans; changes to IPL's access to capital markets; political conditions in IPL's service territories; and economic conditions in IPL's service territory. These factors should be considered when evaluating the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof and Alliant Energy Corporation and IPL undertake no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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SOURCE Alliant Energy Corporation

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