<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-32
<SEQUENCE>10
<FILENAME>rexhibit32.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EX-32: 906 CERTIFICATION - CEO AND CFO
<TEXT>
<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 32


                  SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT
           BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
            PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


Pursuant  to Section 906 of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley Act  of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section
1350,  each of the  undersigned  officers of  ALLETE, Inc. (ALLETE), does hereby
certify that:

1.  The  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of ALLETE for the  quarterly period ended
    June 30, 2004 (Report) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
    of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and

2.  The  information  contained  in the  Report fairly presents, in all material
    respects, the financial condition and results of operations of ALLETE.



Date:  August 5, 2004          Donald J. Shippar
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               Donald J. Shippar
                               President and Chief Executive Officer



Date:  August 5, 2004          James K. Vizanko
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               James K. Vizanko
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



This certification shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise  subject to liability  pursuant to
that  section.  Such  certification  shall not be deemed to be  incorporated  by
reference  into any filing under the  Securities  Act of 1933 or the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that ALLETE specifically incorporates
it by reference.

A signed  original of this written  statement  required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the  electronic  version of this written  statement
required  by Section  906,  has been  provided to ALLETE and will be retained by
ALLETE and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
request.


                      ALLETE Second Quarter 2004 Form 10-Q

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
