ALLETE, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Earnings of 97 Cents Per Share

ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE:ALE) today reported third quarter 2014 earnings of 97 cents per share on net income of $41.6 million and revenue of $288.9 million, compared to earnings of 63 cents, net income of $25.2 million and revenue of $251 million in the third quarter a year ago.

Compared with a year ago, earnings increased due to cost recovery revenue related to a major wind energy expansion and an environmental retrofit to Minnesota Power’s largest electric generating unit, and the recognition of a conservation improvement incentive. An $8.7 million state Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) financial incentive was approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and recognized in the third quarter of 2014. In 2013 the CIP financial incentive amounted to $7.1 million and was recognized upon Commission approval in the fourth quarter of 2013.

“These strong financial results are a direct result of our capital investments in renewable energy, environmental improvements and conservation,” said ALLETE Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Alan R. Hodnik. “Our Bison Wind Energy expansion in North Dakota and the Boswell Energy Center retrofit now underway make up a significant share of an annual capital expenditure budget that’s the largest in our company’s history.”

Quarterly revenue for the Regulated Operations segment rose by $29.4 million due to higher cost recovery revenue, the CIP financial incentive, and higher electricity sales. Electric sales increased almost five percent in the quarter compared to last year, with sales to industrial customers increasing by about one percent. Sales to other power suppliers increased over 37 percent compared to last year, reflecting Minnesota Power selling a portion of its output from the Square Butte plant to Minnkota Power. Partially offsetting the higher revenue were higher operating expenses. Net income for the segment increased $16.6 million from the same period in 2013.

The Investments and Other segment includes solid financial performance from ALLETE Clean Energy, which acquired three wind farms earlier this year. The third quarter of 2013 included gains on sales of securities.

Quarterly earnings were diluted by seven cents per share due to the increased issuance of common shares needed to fund major capital improvements.

Hodnik said the company now expects its year-end 2014 earnings to be in the upper half of its stated guidance range of $2.75 to $2.95. He noted that the earnings guidance excludes 3 cents per share of costs recorded in the first quarter related to the ALLETE Clean Energy acquisition, and a second quarter non-recurring 6 cents per share charge associated with an EPA settlement.

ALLETE will host a conference call and webcast at 10 a.m. Eastern Time this morning to discuss details of its quarterly financial performance. Interested parties may listen live by calling (877) 303-5852, or by accessing the webcast at www.allete.com. A replay of the call will be available through November 5, 2014 by calling (855) 859-2056, pass code 16959429.

ALLETE is an energy company headquartered in Duluth, Minn. In addition to its electric utilities, Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power of Wisconsin, ALLETE owns BNI Coal in Center, N.D., ALLETE Clean Energy, based in Duluth, and has an eight percent equity interest in the American Transmission Co. More information about ALLETE 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.

ALLETE's press releases and other communications may include certain non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial measures. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is defined as a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the company's financial statements.

Non-GAAP financial measures utilized by the Company include presentations of earnings (loss) per share. ALLETE's management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors by removing the effect of variances in GAAP reported results of operations that are not indicative of changes in the fundamental earnings power of the Company's operations. Management believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures is appropriate and enables investors and analysts to more accurately compare the company's ongoing financial performance over the periods presented.

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.