Wisconsin Energy Named One of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the Fourth Year in a Row

MILWAUKEE, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive year, Ethisphere Magazine named Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC) one of the World's Most Ethical Companies.

Wisconsin Energy joins honorees such as American Express, eBay, Ford Motor Company, Adidas, Starbucks, PepsiCo and Xerox Corporation on Ethisphere's 2011 honor roll. Just a few weeks ago, Wisconsin Energy also was named one of the nation's best corporate citizens by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the fourth consecutive year.

"We're very pleased to be selected again as one of the most ethical companies in the world," said Gale Klappa, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Wisconsin Energy. "This recognition underscores our commitment to conduct business with a high level of integrity each and every day."

More than 100 global companies, across 38 business sectors, are included in the 2011 list. Ethisphere's evaluation and analysis covers seven categories: corporate citizenship and responsibility, corporate governance, innovation that contributes to public well-being, industry leadership, executive leadership and tone from the top, integrity track record and reputation, and internal systems and ethics or compliance programs.

Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC), based in Milwaukee, is one of the nation's premier energy companies, serving more than 1.1 million electric customers in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula and more than 1 million natural gas customers in Wisconsin. The company's principal utility is We Energies. The company's other major subsidiary, We Power, designs, builds and owns electric generating plants.

Wisconsin Energy Corporation (www.wisconsinenergy.com), a component of the S&P 500, has more than $13 billion of assets, approximately 4,600 employees and 44,700 stockholders of record.

About Ethisphere Institute

The research-based Ethisphere Institute is a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. The Institute's associated membership groups, the Ethisphere Council and Business Ethics Leadership Alliance, are forums for business ethics that includes over 200 leading corporations, universities and institutions. These groups are dedicated to the development and advancement of members through increased efficiency, innovation, tools, mentoring, advice, and unique career opportunities. Ethisphere Magazine, which publishes the globally recognized World's Most Ethical Companies Ranking™, is the quarterly publication of the Institute. Ethisphere provides the only third-party verifications of compliance programs and ethical cultures, Ethics Inside Certification®, Anti-Corruption Leader Verification and Compliance Program Verification. More information on the Ethisphere Institute, including ranking projects and membership, can be found at http://www.ethisphere.com.

SOURCE Wisconsin Energy Corporation