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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000066756-07-000078.txt : 20071231
<SEC-HEADER>0000066756-07-000078.hdr.sgml : 20071231
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071231093234
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000066756-07-000078
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071231
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other Events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071231
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071231

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALLETE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000066756
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931]
		IRS NUMBER:				410418150
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03548
		FILM NUMBER:		071333314

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		30 W SUPERIOR ST
		CITY:			DULUTH
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55802-2093
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2182795000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		30 W SUPERIOR STREET
		CITY:			DULUTH
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55802-2093

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ALLETE
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000901

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MINNESOTA POWER INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19980603

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MINNESOTA POWER & LIGHT CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>fercratecase.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FERC WHOLESALE RATE CASE
<TEXT>
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    <title>fercratecase.htm</title>
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  <body bgcolor="#ffffff"><br><br>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</strong></font></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>WASHINGTON,
      DC 20549</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>FORM
      8-K</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>CURRENT
      REPORT</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Pursuant
      to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Date
      of
      Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) <strong>&#8211;</strong> December 31, 2007
      (December 28, 2007)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>ALLETE,
      Inc.</strong></font></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Exact
      name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="29%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Minnesota</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="29%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>1-3548</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="29%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>41-0418150</strong></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="29%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(State
                or other jurisdiction of</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="29%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(Commission
                File Number)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="29%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(IRS
                Employer</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="29%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">incorporation
                or organization)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="29%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="29%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Identification
                No.)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>30
      West Superior Street</strong></font></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Duluth,
      Minnesota 55802-2093</strong></font></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Address
      of principal executive offices, including zip code)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>(218)
      279-5000</strong></font></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Registrant&#8217;s
      telephone number, including area code)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Check
      the
      appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
      satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
      provisions:</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="middle" width="4%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: wingdings;">&#168;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="85%">
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Written
                communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
                CFR
                230.425)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="middle" width="4%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: wingdings;">&#168;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="85%">
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Soliciting
                material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
                240.14a-12)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="middle" width="4%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: wingdings;">&#168;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="85%">
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Pre-commencement
                communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
                CFR
                240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="middle" width="4%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: wingdings;">&#168;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="85%">
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Pre-commencement
                communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
                CFR
                240.13e-4(c))</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>SECTION
      8 &#8211; OTHER EVENTS</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Item
      8.01 Other Events</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Minnesota
      Power, an operating division of ALLETE, Inc., submitted a filing with the
      Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday, December 28, 2007, seeking
      to
      increase electric rates for its wholesale customers.&#160;&#160;This request
      applies only to Minnesota Power&#8217;s 16 wholesale municipal customers and two
      private utilities in Wisconsin, including Superior Water, Light &amp; Power
      (SWL&amp;P), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ALLETE, Inc.&#160;&#160;The filing
      seeks a 10% rate increase for wholesale municipal customers, a 12.5% increase
      for SWL&amp;P and an overall return on equity of 11.25%. On an annualized basis,
      the filing would generate approximately $7.5 million in additional
      revenue.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">A
      copy of
      Minnesota Power&#8217;s December 31, 2007, press release announcing the rate increase
      is being furnished&#160;with the Securities and Exchange Commission as exhibit
      99.&#160;</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>SECTION
      9 &#8211; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Item
      9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="5%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(a)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="70%">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Financial
                Statements of Business Acquired &#8211; Not applicable</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="5%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(b)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="70%">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Pro
                Forma Financial Information &#8211; Not applicable</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="5%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(c)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="70%">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Shell
                Company Transactions &#8211; Not applicable</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="5%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(d)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="70%">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Exhibits</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>Exhibit
      Number</u></strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">99
      -Minnesota Power News Release dated December 31, 2007, stating Minnesota Power
      filed a wholesale rate adjustment request with the Federal Energy Regulatory
      Commission.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="14%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="52%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><em>Readers
      are cautioned that forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction
      with
      ALLETE&#8217;s disclosures under the heading: &#8220;SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE
      SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995&#8221; located on page 3 of this Form
      8-K.</em></font></div>
    <div><br></div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</div>
        <div id="GLFTR" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font size="3">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font size="2">ALLETE,
          Inc. Form
          8-K FERC Wholesale Rate Case December 31, 2007</font><font size="3">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font></div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">2</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Safe
      Harbor Statement</strong></font></div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Under
      the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">In
      connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
      Reform Act of 1995, we are hereby filing cautionary statements identifying
      important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially
      from
      those projected in forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the
      Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) made by or on behalf of ALLETE
      in this Current Report on Form 8-K, in presentations, in response to questions
      or otherwise. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to
      expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, or future events or
      performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such
      as
&#8220;anticipates,&#8221; &#8220;believes,&#8221; &#8220;estimates,&#8221; &#8220;expects,&#8221; &#8220;intends,&#8221; &#8220;plans,&#8221;
&#8220;projects,&#8221; &#8220;will likely result,&#8221; &#8220;will continue,&#8221; &#8220;could,&#8221; &#8220;may,&#8221; &#8220;potential,&#8221;
&#8220;target,&#8221; &#8220;outlook&#8221; or similar expressions) are not statements of historical
      facts and may be forward-looking.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Forward-looking
      statements involve estimates, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which are
      beyond our control and may cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially
      from those that may be projected. These statements are qualified in their
      entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important
      factors, in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to
      specifically:</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="76%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">our
                ability to successfully implement our strategic
                objectives;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="76%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">our
                ability to manage expansion and integrate acquisitions;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="76%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">prevailing
                governmental policies, regulatory actions, and legislation including
                those
                of the United States Congress, state legislatures, the FERC, the
                MPUC, the
                PSCW, and various local and county regulators, and city administrators,
                about allowed rates of return, financings, industry and rate structure,
                acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities, real estate
                development, operation and construction of plant facilities, recovery
                of
                purchased power and capital investments, present or prospective wholesale
                and retail competition (including but not limited to transmission
                costs),
                zoning and permitting of land held for resale and environmental
                regulation;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="76%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">effects
                of restructuring initiatives in the electric industry;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="76%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">economic
                and geographic factors, including political and economic
                risks;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="76%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">changes
                in and compliance with laws and policies;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="76%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">weather
                conditions;</font></div>
            </td>
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    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Additional
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      Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement
      is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement
      to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which that statement is
      made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge
      from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of
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      of ALLETE or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may
      cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any
      forward-looking statement. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider
      the various disclosures made by us in this Form 8-K and in our other reports
      filed with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the factors
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    <div><br></div>
    <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Pursuant
      to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
      has
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      duly authorized.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
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            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="65%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="65%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="65%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="65%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
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          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="65%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
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          <tr>
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              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">December
                31, 2007</font></div>
            </td>
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                Steven Q. DeVinck</font></div>
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          </tr>
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            <td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="65%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Steven
                Q. DeVinck</font></div>
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          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="65%">
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          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
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</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>newsrelease12312007.htm
<DESCRIPTION>MINNESOTA POWER - RATE CASE NEWS RELEASE
<TEXT>
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                99</strong></font></div>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Dec.
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                Olson</font></div>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">218-723-3947</font></div>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><em>Investor</em></font></div>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Tim
                Thorp</font></div>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><em>Contact:</em></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="13%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">218-723-3953</font></div>
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            <td valign="bottom" width="58%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
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            <td valign="bottom" width="58%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="13%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>MINNESOTA
      POWER REQUESTS WHOLESALE CUSTOMER RATE INCREASE</u></strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">DULUTH,
      Minn.&#8212; On December 28, 2007 Minnesota Power, an ALLETE company (NYSE: ALE),
      filed a rate adjustment request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
      (FERC) seeking an increase in the electric rates of its wholesale customers.
      Minnesota Power has not asked for a wholesale rate adjustment since
      1995.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">This
      request applies only to Minnesota Power&#8217;s 16 municipal customers and two private
      utilities in Wisconsin, including Superior Water, Light &amp; Power Company. The
      requested increase is approximately 10% for municipal customers and
      approximately 12.5% for Superior Water, Light &amp; Power Company.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Minnesota
      Power anticipates the rate adjustment will result in an annual revenue increase
      of approximately $7.5 million. Minnesota Power has asked FERC for interim rates
      to take effect by March 1, 2008 and expects FERC approval of final rates by
      late
      2008 or early 2009.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">&#8220;This
      rate adjustment would acknowledge our increased costs of providing service
      to
      wholesale customers, including general operation and maintenance expenses,
      while
      integrating environmental compliance, renewable generation, and transmission
      asset additions,&#8221; said Don Shippar, ALLETE Chairman, President and
      CEO.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Wholesale
      customers are the communities within the Minnesota Power service area who
      distribute electric service to their residents, and the Wisconsin private
      utilities. Retail customers of Minnesota Power who receive their bill directly
      from the company are not included in this rate request.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">&#8220;The
      rates paid for Minnesota Power electric service&#8212;by both wholesale and retail
      customers&#8212;have historically been among the lowest in the United States,&#8221; Shippar
      added. &#8220;We do not anticipate this changing as a result of this proposed rate
      adjustment.&#8221;</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Minnesota
      Power provides electricity in a 26,000-square-mile electric service territory
      located in northeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Power supplies retail electric
      service to 141,000 customers, wholesale electric service to 16 municipalities,
      and some of the largest industrial customers in the United States. More
      information can be found at: www.mnpower.com.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><em>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.</em></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">###</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Minnesota
          Power &#8226; 30 West Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802</font></div>
        <div id="GLFTR" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">www.mnpower.com</font></div>
      </div>
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`
end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
