ALLETE reports second quarter earnings
Duluth, Minn. - ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) today reported second quarter 2009 earnings of 29 cents per share, on net income of $9.4 million and total operating revenue of $164.7 million. Quarterly results included a $1.5 million, or 5 cent per share, after-tax charge related to interim rates collected in 2008.
In 2008, ALLETE reported second quarter earnings of 37 cents per share on net income of $10.7 million and operating revenue of $189.8 million. Last year's results included a $3 million after-tax gain, equivalent to 10 cents per share, from the sale of a shopping center in Winter Haven, Fla.
Regulated Operations net income increased $3.5 million from the second quarter of 2008. Last year's results were reduced by higher operating and maintenance expenses related to a planned generating plant outage at Minnesota Power. New wholesale and retail electric rates, and higher income from ALLETE's investment in the American Transmission Co. were reflected in this year's second quarter results. Total electric kilowatt hours sales were down 6 percent from the same period a year ago.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) recently held a hearing to address requests for reconsideration filed by parties to Minnesota Power's current retail rate increase request. At the hearing, the MPUC approved a final annual rate increase of $20.4 million, but reduced the allowed revenue collected during the interim rate period by $6.3 million. As a result, the company recorded an additional liability for refunds during the second quarter, including the aforementioned amount related to interim rates collected in 2008.
ALLETE's Investments and Other segment recorded a $1.3 million net loss for the quarter compared to $3.5 million net income a year ago. The year-over-year comparison was impacted by the shopping center sale at ALLETE Properties in 2008 and lower earnings on cash in 2009.
Earnings in the second quarter of 2009 were also diluted by three cents per share due to an increase in common shares outstanding year-over-year.
Based on its revised outlook for 2009 which reflects the impact of the MPUC's rate case reconsideration, ALLETE expects to report year-end earnings of $2.00 to $2.15 per share, excluding the 2008 portion of interim rate refunds.
"Minnesota Power intends to seek additional rate relief soon," said ALLETE Chairman and CEO Don Shippar. "Our significant capital investment program is the primary reason we plan to file a rate increase request with the MPUC before the end of this year." Shippar explained that Minnesota Power's capital expenditures are necessary to meet state-mandated renewable energy and environmental standards, as well as to maintain its low-cost generation fleet and enhance the regional transmission grid.
ALLETE provides regulated energy services in Minnesota and Wisconsin, owns BNI Coal of North Dakota and maintains investments in the American Transmission Company and Florida real estate. More information about the company is available at www.allete.com.
The statements contained in this release and statements that ALLETE may make orally in connection with this release that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks discussed in documents filed by ALLETE with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This exhibit has been furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Investor contact:
Tim Thorp
218-723-3953
tthorp@allete.com
Media contact:
Amy Rutledge
218-723-7400
218-348-2961
arutledge@mnpower.com