Keeping people warm: Alliant Energy to donate $3 million to assist low income families with heating costs

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliant Energy announced today it is making a donation of $3 million to its Hometown Care Energy Fund, which helps income-eligible customers across Alliant Energy's service area keep up with heating costs.

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Temperatures in December and January have been among the coldest in recent years.

"While cold weather contributes to higher heating bills for everyone, it places an additional burden on low-income families," said Patricia L. Kampling, Alliant Energy chairman, president and CEO. "This donation is the right thing to do to help folks who have difficulty paying during the critical winter months."

State officials also lauded the contribution.

"Households helped by the Hometown Care Fund are in need and greatly appreciative of this assistance," said Jerry McKim, bureau chief of the Bureau of Energy Assistance at the Iowa Department of Human Rights. "I welcome the ongoing support of Alliant Energy and their customers for some of our most vulnerable citizens." 

"High and unpredictable heating costs can place additional strains on low-income families over the winter," said Kevin Vesperman, administrator of the Division of Energy Services at the Wisconsin Department of Administration. "Support from Alliant Energy will help ease this burden and is appreciated by those who benefit."

Alliant Energy's Hometown Care Energy Fund collects donations from Alliant Energy shareowners, employees, retirees and customers; donations are distributed by community action agencies in Iowa and Minnesota and by Energy Services Inc.'s Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund in Wisconsin. Over the past year Alliant Energy customers gave more than $250,000 through optional contributions. Alliant Energy's additional contribution of $3 million comes from shareowners and is not included in the rates charged to utility customers.

Income-eligible Alliant Energy customers can apply for funding as follows:
     In Wisconsin, through their County Energy Assistance office
     In Iowa, through their Community Action Agency
     In Minnesota through their County Energy Assistance office

The funds will be dispersed to county and community action agencies this month. For more information on the Hometown Care Energy Fund, visit alliantenergy.com/hometowncare.

Alliant Energy Corporation LNT, headquartered in Madison, Wis., provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than one million electric and 414,000 natural gas customers in more than 1,300 communities across Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver the reliable energy and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently, and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Power and Light Company are Alliant Energy's two public utility subsidiaries. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com.

SOURCE Alliant Energy Corporation