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PRESIDENT OF ALLIANT ENERGY’S IOWA UTILITY TO RETIRE

Alliant Energy has announced that Terry Kouba, President of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company will retire effective May 1, 2024. The Board of Directors has appointed Mayuri (May) Farlinger to succeed Kouba as President of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company, and to also serve as Vice President of Operations effective May 1, 2024.

“Terry’s 42 years of dedicated service is a testament to his passion and commitment to serving customers and communities across the state of Iowa,” said John Larsen, Executive Chairman. “His empowering leadership style, experience and focus on operational excellence has served our customers well. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish him all the best as he enters his well-deserved retirement.”

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PRESIDENT OF ALLIANT ENERGY’S IOWA UTILITY TO RETIRE

Alliant Energy has announced that Terry Kouba, President of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company will retire effective May 1, 2024. The Board of Directors has appointed Mayuri (May) Farlinger to succeed Kouba as President of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company, and to also serve as Vice President of Operations effective May 1, 2024.

“Terry’s 42 years of dedicated service is a testament to his passion and commitment to serving customers and communities across the state of Iowa,” said John Larsen, Executive Chairman. “His empowering leadership style, experience and focus on operational excellence has served our customers well. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish him all the best as he enters his well-deserved retirement.”

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WISCONSIN PSC MAKES STAFFING CHANGES

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has announced new appointments within the Commissioners’ Office and the Division of Energy Regulation and Analysis. The appointments were effective February 5, 2024. Commissioner Kristy Nieto announced the appointment of Matt Sweeney as her Executive Assistant (EA). Each Commissioner at the PSC has one EA who advises on issues and matters before the PSC. Matt most recently served as a key advisor to Chairperson Valcq and oversaw the PSC’s public communications, external stakeholder outreach, and legislative affairs. Matt served as the agency’s liaison to Wisconsin’s tribal nations and as the chairperson’s designee on the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute’s Board of Directors. With over 17 years of experience working in state government, Matt previously held policy advisor and legislative relations positions at the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and in the Office of the Governor.

Commissioner Summer Strand assumed the role of chairperson beginning February 5, 2024. Her team includes Kara Pennoyer as the Chief of Staff, Tanner Blair as Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, and Meghan Sovey as Director of Communications and External Affairs. Commissioner Strand announced the appointment of Kate Christensen as Administrator of the Division of Energy Regulation and Analysis (DERA). DERA is responsible for supporting the mission of the Commission to assure safe, reliable, and fair provision of electricity and natural gas for the customers of the utilities it regulates and ensures Wisconsin’s involvement in regional energy issues. Kate Christensen joined the Commission as a Utility Rate Analyst in 2014. Since 2019, she had served as the Director of Natural Gas Analysis and Safety in the Commission’s Division of Energy Regulation and Analysis. Prior to joining the Commission, Christensen was the Environmental and Utilities Resource Coordinator at Carroll University in Waukesha. As a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Kate serves on the Staff Subcommittee on Natural Gas and the Task Force on Natural Gas Resource Planning. She holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Alverno College and has completed post-graduate courses in planning and management at Johns Hopkins University. She currently resides in Ixonia with her son Reid.

WPS NAMED BEST IN THE MIDWEST FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Wisconsin Public Service Company has been recognized once again for its commitment to its customers. J.D. Power has named the company the best midsize electric utility in the Midwest for residential customer satisfaction.  WPS is receiving the honor based on its impressive performance in the J.D. Power 2023 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. The company scored more than thirty points higher in the study than the average score for electric utilities across the United States.  “Every plan, every decision, every improvement we make is dedicated to providing world-class service to our customers,” said Scott Lauber, president and CEO — WPS. “This honor is a reflection of the tireless efforts of our employees, who ensure our customers have the affordable, reliable and clean energy they depend on around the clock."

Committed to excellence for every customer:

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WEC REPORTS 2023 RESULTS

WEC Energy Group has reported net income based on generally accepted accounting principles of $1.3 billion, or $4.22 per share, for 2023. This compares to earnings of $1.4 billion, or $4.45 per share, for 2022. Full-year 2023 earnings include a non-cash charge of 41 cents per share related to previous capital investments that were disallowed by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Excluding this charge, WEC Energy Group's adjusted earnings for 2023 rose to $4.63 per share – an increase of four percent over earnings in 2022. For the fourth quarter of 2023, WEC Energy Group recorded net income based on GAAP of $218.5 million, or sixty-nine cents per share. This compares to earnings of $252.7 million, or 80 cents per share, for the fourth quarter of 2022. Excluding the non-cash charge, WEC Energy Group's adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $1.10 per share. Consolidated revenues for the full year were $8.9 billion, down $704.4 million from revenues in 2022. “We delivered another year of strong results in 2023, despite an historically warm start to the year and a disappointing regulatory decision in Illinois,” said Gale Klappa, Executive Chairman. “We have significant growth opportunities ahead. And we will continue to compound value with our focus on the fundamentals — reliability, customer satisfaction, financial discipline, and environmental stewardship.”

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ALLIANT ENERGY REPORTS 2023 RESULTS

Alliant Energy Corporation has reported fourth-quarter 2023 operating earnings of forty-eight cents per share. The bottom line improved 4.3 percent from the year-ago quarter’s figure of forty-six cents.

Full-year 2023 earnings came in at $2.82 per share, up 0.7 percent from the previous year’s level of $2.80. Revenues totaled $961 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.3 billion by 23.1 percent. The top line also decreased 9.2 percent from the year-ago quarter’s level of $1.1 billion. Full-year 2023 revenues came in at $4 billion, down 4.2 percent from the previous year’s level of $4.2 billion.

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XCEL ANNOUNCES NEW CLEAN ENERGY PLAN

Xcel Energy has proposed a new clean energy plan for the Upper Midwest that advances the company’s ambitious carbon reductions while ensuring customers continue to have the reliable, safe and affordable electric service.

Under the proposal, carbon emissions reductions are expected to exceed 80 percent by 2030, potentially reaching up to 88 percent. This positions the company well to meet Minnesota’s new carbon-free standard for 2040 and continues on a path to achieving the clean energy goals of all Upper Midwest states it serves. The plan calls for extending the use of Xcel Energy’s two carbon-free nuclear plants while adding more wind and solar energy, battery energy storage systems, and always-available sources of electric generation capacity.

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MGE ENERGY REPORTS FOURTH-QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2023 EARNINGS

MGE Energy's GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) earnings for the full year of 2023 were $117.7 million, or $3.25 per share, compared to $111.0 million, or $3.07 per share, for the same period in the prior year.

MGE continues to invest in new, cost-effective renewable generation, which is helping to fuel the company's asset growth. An increase in electric investments included in rate base contributed to increased electric earnings for 2023. The Red Barn wind project was completed in April 2023 and Badger Hollow II solar project was completed in December 2023.

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XCEL ENERGY 2023 YEAR END EARNINGS REPORT

Xcel Energy has reported 2023 earnings of $1.77 billion, or $3.21 per share, compared with $1.74 billion, or $3.17 per share in the same period in 2022 and ongoing earnings of $1.85 billion, or $3.35 per share, compared with $1.74 billion, or $3.17 per share in the same period in 2022. Ongoing earnings reflect regulatory outcomes and lower operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses, partially offset by higher depreciation and interest charges.

“2023 was another strong year for Xcel Energy, our customers, our communities, and our investors. This is the 19th consecutive year we have met our earnings guidance, which is critical to maintaining a competitive cost of capital, which benefits our customers and shareholders,” said Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO of Xcel Energy.

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WEC ENERGY GROUP RAISES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND BY SEVEN PERCENT

The Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 83.50 cents per share on the company's common stock, an increase of 7 percent over the current quarterly dividend of 78 cents per share. This raises the annual dividend rate to $3.34 per share. The higher dividend is payable March 1, 2024, to stockholders of record on February 14, 2024. This marks the 326th consecutive quarter, dating back to 1942, that the company will have paid a dividend to its stockholders.

ALLIANT ENERGY BRINGS SIX NEW SOLAR PROJECTS ONLINE

Alliant Energy has announced the completion of six new large scale solar energy plants, adding 514 megawatts of solar energy to the electric grid, which will power around 135,000 homes annually.
"Completing these projects is a huge milestone and a pivotal moment in our journey toward a brighter energy future,” said David de Leon, Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin President. Alliant Energy is a Wisconsin-based electric and natural gas utility that serves the greater south- central region of the state as well as parts of the northeast.
The company has promoted its commitment to expanding renewable energy generation in Wisconsin and has been developing a total of 12 solar projects over the last few years. Alliant Energy has installed over 2 million solar panels in the state of Wisconsin so far. Utility scale solar projects often lease land from local landowners and farmers to site solar fields that cover hundreds of acres. The company is celebrating the completion of six solar sites — ranging from 50 to 150 megawatts — built in Green, Grant, Sheboygan, Rock, Dodge, and Waushara Counties. Nearly 1,000 workers were
employed during construction of the solar projects, according to a news release.

HALF OF CONTROVERSIAL TRANSMISSION PROJECT ONLINE

“We are pleased the eastern segment of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek line has been placed in service,” American Transmission Co. Project Manager Jake Valentine said in a statement.

“This allows the project to begin to provide numerous benefits for electric consumers.” The project was approved by the Midwest grid operator in 2011. It received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in September 2019, and the Iowa Utilities Board in May 2020.

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WISCONSIN'S LARGEST SOLAR PROJECT IS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL

Madison Gas and Electric and We Energies are setting another milestone in delivering affordable, reliable and clean energy to their customers. The final panels at the Badger Hollow Solar Farm are now in service, completing the largest solar project in Wisconsin history. Badger Hollow Solar Farm is a 300-megawatt (MW) renewable energy facility located near the communities of Montfort and Cobb in Iowa County, Wisconsin. The project came online in two 150-MW phases. The second phase began powering homes and businesses across Wisconsin in December. The facility's first phase came online in December 2021. The solar facility's 300-MW generating capacity can power about 90,000 homes.

WE ENERGIES NEARS COMPLETION OF LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS FACILITY

We Energies is about two months away from starting operations at its newest liquified natural gas facility in Ixonia. Construction on the $192 million facility started in 2021. The company expects to see $200 million in savings once the new LNG plant is online in February.

PSC CHAIR STEPS DOWN

Rebecca Cameron Valcq, Chairperson of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, stepped down from the state regulatory agency on February 4th. She was appointed to the commission by Gov. Tony Evers in January 2019 and became chairperson and a member of Evers' cabinet two months later.

XCEL ENERGY ACHIEVES KEY MILESTONE IN CLEAN ENERGY

Xcel Energy is marking a major step toward its vision of delivering 100 percent carbon-free electricity in Minnesota by 2040 as the company retired one of three coal units at the Sherburne County Generating Plant, or Sherco, over the weekend. For decades, Sherco has held the distinction as Minnesota’s largest power plant. Xcel Energy plans to retire Sherco’s remaining coal-fired units in 2026 and 2030, marking the company’s full exit from coal. The plant site itself is central to Xcel Energy’s clean energy transition with investments in solar, battery storage and new transmission lines.

ALLIANT ENERGY WAUTOMA SOLAR PROJECT NOW COMPLETE

Alliant Energy has announced the successful completion of its Wautoma Solar Project, a significant milestone in the company's transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. The 99-megawatt solar array, in the Waushara County town of Dakota and City of Wautoma, is a cost-effective generating facility that spans 624 acres and consists of nearly 240,000 solar panels. It can produce enough energy to power approximately 26,000 homes annually.

“The completion of this project is a major accomplishment that will deliver safe, reliable, cost-effective energy to our customers for decades,” said Ben Lipari, assistant vice president of resource development at Alliant Energy. “This project has been, and will continue to be, a collaborative effort with our participating landowners, local officials and the broader Waushara County community. A unique aspect of our project design included the repurposing of land at the Wautoma airport, which allowed us to diversify the project layout and maximize the value of underutilized land. Our development and construction of this project demonstrated our core values to ‘Act for tomorrow’ and ‘Make things better.’”

NEW BILL WOULD GIVE REGULATORS MORE AUTHORITY OVER CONSTRUCTION PLANS

A bill recently introduced in the state Legislature would give the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin greater control over utility plans for future construction projects.

Under the proposal, electric utilities and cooperatives would have to seek approval from state regulators for two-year construction plans for large-scale electric generating facilities, small generating sites and transmission lines. The Public Service Commission, or PSC, typically approves most utility construction projects individually, rather than looking at integrated resource and reliability plans biennially.

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Bill Protecting the Energy Grid Under Consideration in the State Legislature!

XCEL ENERGY NAMES NEW PRESIDENT FOR MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA

Xcel Energy has announced that Chris Clark, current President of Xcel Energy – Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, will retire March 1, 2024. Ryan Long, Xcel Energy’s interim general counsel, will succeed Clark as the new president, effective January 1, 2024.

“I want to thank Chris for his tremendous contributions to the company. He helped lead the nation’s clean energy transition and was instrumental in driving our wind leadership to new heights in the Upper Midwest,’’ said Bob Frenzel, Xcel Energy’s chairman, president and CEO.

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