Alliant Energy receives final approval to upgrade Columbia Energy Center

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliant Energy's Wisconsin utility and its co-owner utility partners have received final regulatory approval to upgrade the coal pulverizers and steam turbines at the Columbia Energy Center. The upgrades approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin will help lower operating costs and improve the efficiency and reliability of the generating station located near Portage, Wis.

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"This project will provide direct benefits to customers and is part of our overall energy resources strategy that puts a priority on investing in our newer and larger generating units," said John Larsen, President of Alliant Energy's Wisconsin utility.

The Columbia Energy Center upgrade project includes replacing twelve pulverizers and upgrading two steam turbines installed when the plant was constructed in the 1970s. Installing this newer technology is designed to increase the plant's operating capacity by nearly 10 percent, bringing more low-cost electricity to utility customers.

Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2015, with an anticipated completion in 2017. The investment in new technology and equipment is expected to be approximately $130 million and will be shared by Alliant Energy's Wisconsin utility and the co-owners: Madison Gas and Electric Company, and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.

Alliant Energy Corporation's Wisconsin utility subsidiary, Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), utilizes the trade name of Alliant Energy. The Wisconsin utility is based in Madison, Wis., and provides electric service to 459,000 customers and natural gas service to approximately 180,000 customers in more than 600 communities across central and southern Wisconsin. The employees of Alliant Energy focus on delivering the energy and exceptional service their customers and communities expect – safely, reliably, and affordably. 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 includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified as such because the statements include words such as "approximately," "expects," or other words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe future plans or strategies 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 regulatory actions or local government actions which delay, prevent or alter the proposed plans; unanticipated construction issues, delays or expenditures, including accuracy of estimates of costs of labor, materials and equipment; failure of equipment and technology to perform as expected; current or future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries that could impede the implementation of WPL's plans; political conditions in WPL's service territories; changes to WPL's access to capital markets; and economic conditions in WPL'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 and WPL undertake no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

ANR004-14

SOURCE Alliant Energy Corporation