Wisconsin Power and Light Company: Celebrates Kilbourn Dam 100th Anniversary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Scott Reigstad (608) 458-3145

Wisconsin Dells Hydro began operation in August 1909; helped create Wisconsin Power and Light Company and transform Dells area into a top tourism destination

MADISON, WI – July 29, 2009 – Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), an Alliant Energy company, held a special celebration luncheon today to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Kilbourn Dam located in Wisconsin Dells. The hydroelectric generating station began generating power in early August 1909 and continues to provide up to 10 megawatts of renewable, green energy to this day.

“We are delighted to mark the 100th year of operations at the Kilbourn Dam and take this time to recognize the rich history of the facility, the role it played in the birth of Wisconsin Power and Light Company and the boost it provides to the Wisconsin Dells area,” said Bill Harvey, Alliant Energy Chairman, President and CEO during his luncheon address at the facility. “The Kilbourn and Prairie du Sac Hydros were among the first Wisconsin Power and Light electric generating stations when they were purchased in 1917 and they hold a special place in our company history.”

The current Kilbourn Dam was constructed from 1906 to 1909 and at the time it was completed, it was the largest dam west of Niagara Falls and was viewed as a modern engineering marvel. Once the Kilbourn Dam was operational, the flow of the Wisconsin River was stabilized, and the water depth was increased significantly. The increased water level was important because it permitted large boats to reach points in the Upper Dells that previously had been almost inaccessible. In addition, the dam also increased the average flow of the Lower Dells. The Kilbourn Dam’s regulation of the Wisconsin River level has been largely responsible for the growth of the boat excursion and resort business in the Wisconsin Dells area.

The dam was not profitable in its early years and was sold once in 1916 and then again in 1917 to what later became Wisconsin Power and Light Company. The availability of power from the Kilbourn Dam spurred the consolidation of several utility systems serving southern Wisconsin into one, larger inter-connected utility company. By 1924, these individual operating companies united as Wisconsin Power and Light Company.

Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and over 400,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company’s primary focus. Wisconsin Power and Light, the company’s Wisconsin utility subsidiary, serves approximately 450,000 electric and 175,000 natural gas customers. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., 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 www.alliantenergy.com.

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