Fourteen Iowa organizations and businesses recognized as environmental leaders CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interstate Power and Light Co. (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, has been named one of fourteen Iowa organizations and businesses that will receive Environmental Excellence Awards from Governor Chet Culver later this summer. The awards are the premier environmental honors in Iowa, recognizing leadership and innovation in the protection of Iowa's natural resources. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020405/LNTLOGO) The awards program recognizes comprehensive environmental programs by organizations and businesses, along with special project awards in water quality, air quality, waste management, habitat restoration/development and energy efficiency/renewable energy. Alliant Energy was selected from nearly 40 nominations in two new award categories: Environmental Education and Disaster Recovery. Environmental Education Special Project Award Alliant Energy's Environmental Education programs include the Speakers Bureau and Alliant Energy Kids. The Speakers Bureau relies on Alliant Energy employee volunteers to visit sixth grade through college classrooms and present on a chosen topic. Alliant Energy Kids stresses energy safety and conservation for upper-elementary students. Teachers, businesses or community groups can choose from a variety of topics including Electricity 101, Energy & the Environment, Renewable Energy, Kid's Conservation and Kid's Safety. Disaster Recovery Special Project Award Following the devastating floods of 2008, Alliant Energy crafted a post-flood program centered on helping its customers rebuild green to save money, conserve energy and protect the environment. The multi-pronged program included a 50 percent increase on energy efficiency rebates for flood-affected customers when energy efficient equipment is purchased; the Go Green Palo pilot program for Palo residents, encouraging a whole-house approach to rebuilding and offering customer-specific rebuilding plans and personalized advice; the Flood Relief program committed more than $300,000 to agencies across the state to replace major appliances in low- to moderate-income homes. Since the submission date, the program has gone on to provide an additional $200,000 in aid. Alliant Energy also provided FEMA homes 10,000 Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs, saving customers an estimated $10 per month on their electric bill. "This is great recognition for Alliant Energy and all who have supported these important projects and programs," says Tom Aller, President-IPL. "We are pleased to continue our efforts to help flood-affected customers recover and incorporate energy efficiency during their rebuild process. We also appreciate the opportunity to offer educational programs that can result in environmental improvements for the citizens of Iowa." Complete details about each award winner and the awards program are available at: http://www.iowadnr.gov/other/ee/index.html. The awards are sponsored by the Governor's Office, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Education, the Department of Public Health and the Iowa Waste Reduction Center. Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and over 400,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company's primary focus. Interstate Power and Light, the company's Iowa utility subsidiary, serves approximately 530,000 electric and 235,000 natural gas customers. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.alliantenergy.com/. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020405/LNTLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Alliant Energy Corporation CONTACT: Nancy Craig, +1-319-786-4788, for Alliant Energy Web Site: http://www.alliantenergy.com/

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