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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000066756-08-000013.txt : 20080212
<SEC-HEADER>0000066756-08-000013.hdr.sgml : 20080212
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080212083412
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000066756-08-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080212
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other Events
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080212
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080212

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:		08595767

	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>ferc_ratecaseapproval.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FERC RATE CASE APPROVAL
<TEXT>
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    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>UNITED
      STATES</strong></font></div>
    <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> February 8, 2008
      (February 12, 2008)</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">
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        </div>
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      <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;">On
      February 8, 2008, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved
      Minnesota Power&#8217;s request to increase electric rates for our wholesale
      customers. Minnesota Power is an operating division of ALLETE, Inc. The increase
      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. Effective March 1, 2008,
      the increase is expected to result in an annual revenue increase to Minnesota
      Power of $7.5 million.</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 February 12, 2008, press release announcing the rate increase
      is being furnished 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 February 12, 2008, stating the FERC approved
      Minnesota Power&#8217;s wholesale rate adjustment request.</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;&#160;&#160;

          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt;">ALLETE,
            Inc. Form 8-K FERC Wholesale
            Rate Case February 12,
            2008</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</div>
          <div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">&#160;&#160;&#160;
            2</font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <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 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Safe
      Harbor Statement</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" 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 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" 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 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" 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="6%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="74%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; 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="6%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="74%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; 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="6%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="74%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; 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,
                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, capital investments and other expenses, present
                or
                prospective wholesale and retail competition (including but not limited
                to
                transmission costs), zoning and permitting of land held for resale
                and
                environmental rules and regulation;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="6%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="74%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">the
                potential impacts of climate change on our Regulated Utility
                operations;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="6%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="74%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.25pt; 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="6%">
              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif;">&#183;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="justify" valign="top" width="74%">
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                ability to replace a mature workforce and retain qualified, skilled
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      disclosures regarding factors that could cause our results and performance
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      Item 1A under the heading &#8220;Risk Factors&#8221; beginning on page 24 of our 2006
      Form&#160;10-K. 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
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      events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for
      management to predict all of these factors, nor can it assess the impact of
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      or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from
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            Inc. Form 8-K FERC Wholesale
            Rate Case February 12,
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</font>3</font></div>
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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
      duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
      duly authorized.</font></div>
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            <td valign="top" width="65%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
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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%"><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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              <div align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">February
                12, 2008</font></div>
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                Steven Q. DeVinck</font></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%">
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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%">
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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%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
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            Inc. Form 8-K FERC Wholesale Rate Case February 12,
            2008</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</div>&#160;&#160;&#160; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">4</font>&#160;</div>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>newsrelease02122008.htm
<DESCRIPTION>MINNESOTA POWER - RATE CASE NEWS RELEASE
<TEXT>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Feb.
                12, 2008</font></div>
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            <td valign="bottom" width="18%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Eric
                Olson</font></div>
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            <td valign="bottom" width="18%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="8%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">218-723-3947</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="18%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="8%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">eolson@allete.com</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="18%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="8%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="18%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><em>Investor</em></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="8%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Tim
                Thorp</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="18%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; 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="8%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">218-723-3953</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="18%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="8%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">tthorp@allete.com</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="18%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="8%"><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; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong><u>FEDERAL
      REGULATORS APPROVE MINNESOTA POWER WHOLESALE RATE
      REQUEST</u></strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">DULUTH,
      Minn.&#8212;Minnesota Power, an ALLETE company (NYSE: ALE) announced today that the
      Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved an increase to the electric rates
      of Minnesota Power&#8217;s wholesale customers. The rate increase applies only to
      Minnesota Power&#8217;s 16 municipal customers and two private utilities in Wisconsin,
      including Superior Water, Light &amp; Power Company. Effective March 1, the
      increase is expected to result in an annual revenue increase to Minnesota Power
      of approximately $7.5 million.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Minnesota
      Power said the increase will offset rising costs of providing service to
      wholesale customers, including operating and maintenance expenses. In addition,
      Minnesota Power indicated that the increase is needed for environmental
      projects, wind generation and transmission asset additions. This is the first
      wholesale rate adjustment that the company has asked for since
      1995.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; 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 two Wisconsin private
      utilities. Retail customers of Minnesota Power who receive their bill directly
      from the company are not included in this rate adjustment.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Minnesota
      Power provides retail electric service within a 26,000-square-mile area in
      northeastern Minnesota to 141,000 customers and wholesale electric service
      to 16
      municipalities. More information can be found at: www.mnpower.com.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; 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><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><em>###</em></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div 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;">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 id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">&#160;&#160;&#160;
        5</font></div>
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`
end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
