Alliant Energy: Recognized by Edison Electric Institute for supplier diversity

Media Contact: Scott Reigstad (608) 458-3145

Company given EEI Vendor Opportunity Award for work with diverse businesses

MADISON, Wis. – June 8, 2011 – Alliant Energy Corporation has been recognized for its supplier diversity program by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) with the EEI Vendor Opportunity Award. The award is provided annually to an EEI member company that makes a strong effort to work with vendors that are small and diverse businesses. The nomination for the award is submitted by small and diverse businesses that have worked with the EEI member company.

“We regularly challenge our employees to strengthen their efforts to expand purchasing opportunities for diverse businesses and we work hard to partner with them,” said Tom Aller, Alliant Energy Senior Vice President-Energy Resource Development. “Alliant Energy is pleased to receive recognition from EEI for our supplier diversity program.”

The EEI Vendor Opportunity Award focuses on EEI member companies that make an extra effort to work with small and diverse businesses. For example, companies that break out contract work items into economically feasible units to facilitate small business participation; or companies that participate in vendor mentoring.

Some of the other factors looked at in judging the merit of giving the award are whether a company conducts market research to identify small and diverse business subcontractors and suppliers; and if the company assists interested small and diverse businesses in obtaining bonding, lines of credit, required insurance, necessary equipment, supplies, materials, or services.

The EEI began giving out supplier diversity awards in 1985, recognizing EEI member companies for their outstanding achievements in the advancement of supplier diversity. Alliant Energy received its award at the 28th Annual EEI Supplier Diversity Conference held in Seattle, Wash. last month. EEI is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Its members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry.