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MARK STOERING RETIRING FROM XCEL ENERGY

Mark Stoering, President, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin and Michigan, is retiring at the end of the year after more than 33 years of service to the company. He played key roles in laying the foundation for the company’s clean energy strategy, including leading the development of community solar in Wisconsin and the first company-owned wind farms.

 “Mark has had a tremendous impact on our company and, more importantly, the hundreds of communities we serve in Wisconsin and Michigan,” said Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO of Xcel Energy, Inc. “He has always been a great innovator and leader and has built a strong team that will carry on his legacy.”

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WEC ENERGY GROUP, EPRI COMPLETE WORLD'S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND HYDROGEN POWER TEST

WEC Energy and EPRI have announced the successful demonstration of blending hydrogen in a natural gas generator. The project is the first hydrogen power test of a utility-scale, grid-connected reciprocating engine generator in the world.

During two weeks of testing in mid-October, hydrogen and natural gas were tested in blends up to 25/75 percent by volume to power one of the reciprocating engine generating units that serves customers of Upper Michigan Energy Resources, a WEC Energy Group subsidiary. The testing was performed on an 18-megawatt unit that uses a technology known as RICE — reciprocating internal combustion engines. The RICE unit was continually monitored during the test to measure performance, output and emissions data.

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WEC ENERGY GROUP WILL SPEND $360 MILLION TO OWN PART OF ILLINOIS SOLAR FARM

WEC Energy Group will become the majority owner of a large Illinois solar farm that will provide energy for a single Fortune 100 company.

The 250-megawatt Maple Flats Energy Center is being built in south central Illinois by Invenergy, a renewable-energy developer based in Chicago. The 1,500-acre solar array will produce enough electricity to power 75,000 homes, but that energy will be sold under a long-term contract to a single customer that the company did not identify.

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WEC Energy Group Reports Third-Quarter Results

WEC Energy Group has reported net income of $302.0 million, or 96 cents per share, for the third quarter of 2022 — up from $290.0 million, or 92 cents per share, in last year's third quarter.

For the first nine months of 2022, the company recorded net income of $1.16 billion, or $3.65 per share, up from $1.08 billion, or $3.40 per share, in the corresponding period a year ago.

Consolidated revenues totaled $7.0 billion for the first nine months of 2022, up $924.9 million over revenues for the first nine months of 2021.

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Alliant Energy announces third quarter 2022 results

Alliant Energy has announced U.S. (GAAP) and non-GAAP consolidated unaudited earnings per share (EPS) for the three months ended September 30.

Utilities and Corporate Services - Alliant Energy’s Utilities and Alliant Energy Corporate Services, Inc. (Corporate Services) operations generated $0.99 per share of GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2022, which was $0.02 per share lower than the third quarter of 2021. The primary drivers of lower EPS were higher interest expense and timing of income tax expense.

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Xcel Energy Third Quarter 2022 Earnings Report

Xcel Energy has reported 2022 third quarter GAAP and ongoing earnings of $649 million, or $1.18 per share, compared with $609 million, or $1.13 per share in the same period in 2021.  Earnings reflect capital investment recovery and other regulatory outcomes, partially offset by higher depreciation, interest expense and operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses.

“Xcel Energy had a strong third quarter – both operationally and financially – which has allowed us to narrow our 2022 earnings guidance to $3.14 to $3.19 per share,” said Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO of Xcel Energy.

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XCEL ENERGY COMPANY PLANS EARLIER COAL PLANT RETIREMENT

Xcel Energy has announced a proposal to advance the retirement of coal operations at Tolk Generating Station in Texas to 2028, more than four years earlier than planned. With this earlier retirement, along with accelerated coal plant retirements in other states, the company will exit the use of coal by the end of 2030 when the Comanche 3 coal unit in Colorado retires.

The company is leading the nation’s clean energy transition as it reduces carbon emissions 80% by 2030 for electric customers, with a vision to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. Retiring coal generation while continuing to add reliable and affordable clean energy sources are key to Xcel Energy’s strategy in the eight states it serves.

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ALLIANT ENERGY’S WOOD COUNTY SOLAR PROJECT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

Completion of Alliant Energy’s Wood County Solar Project marks a major milestone for the community of Saratoga in central Wisconsin. In addition to generating clean, carbon-free electricity, the 150-megawatt (MW) solar site created more than 200 construction jobs and is expected to deliver an estimated $600,000 in new shared revenue annually to the town and county for the next 30 years.
“Alliant Energy has a strong presence in our region, and knew when it took on this project it was going to be a big win for families and business,” according to Angel Whitehead, President of the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. “This solar site has already spurred innovation and growth within the community. We are excited for the future and the continued growth surrounding renewable energy development.”
Construction of the Wood County Solar Project began in June 2021. Burns & McDonnell, the project’s EPC contractor,
completed construction ahead of schedule despite supply chain disruptions, tough weather conditions and COVID challenges. The project relied on the skilled work and craftsmanship of operating engineers, carpenters, laborers and electricians from several local union halls, increasing the project’s positive economic impact.

Ave Bie elected to WEC Energy Group board of directors

Ave M. Bie, a business law, utilities and energy attorney, has been appointed to the board of directors of WEC Energy Group Her appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2023.

"We're delighted that Ave has agreed to join the WEC Energy Group board," said Gale Klappa, Executive Chairman. "Her extensive public and private experience in the utility sector will add another layer of depth to an engaged and effective board of directors."

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MGE HELPING PROPERTY OWNERS MANAGE ENERGY USE

Madison Gas and Electric in partnership with FOCUS ON ENERGY®, has kicked off strategic energy management workshops this summer for multifamily households and property owners. The effort aims to create awareness and boost energy savings from the building level to tenants’ units.

“We are working directly with property managers in our service area and with a variety of buildings in their portfolios,” according to MGE’s Charles Warner, Senior Residential Customer and Digital Engagement Manager - Residential and Community Services. “Our two-pronged approach focuses on operations/maintenance and tenant engagement.”

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ALLIANT ENERGY SUPERCHARGES BATTERY DEPLOYMENT

With major advances in the transition to creating safe, clean renewable energy generation, Alliant Energy announces plans to add 175 megawatts (MW) of battery storage in Wisconsin. The plan, filed with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, calls for battery storage facilities to be developed in Grant and Wood counties, alongside two previously approved Alliant Energy solar arrays. 
“Just like the batteries you’d find in a cell phone, laptop or car, the storage systems we’re developing can deliver energy to power our lives when we need it,” said David de Leon, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin energy company. “As we transition to cleaner, more cost-effective renewable energy, the added capacity and unique capabilities of these energy storage solutions will strengthen our generation portfolio, improve reliability and help meet customer needs. It’s just one more way we’re delivering on our purpose-driven strategy.”
The Grant County battery project (100 MW/400 MWh), located at the Grant County Solar site in the town of Potosi, could store enough energy to power over 100,000 Wisconsin homes for four hours. The Wood County battery project (75 MW/300 MWh), located at the Wood County Solar site in the town of Saratoga, could store enough energy to power over 80,000 Wisconsin homes for four hours. Alliant Energy has worked closely with these communities over the past several years to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of the company’s renewable energy investments.


WPS OFFERS RARE LOOK INSIDE RENEWABLE ENERGY STATION

Wisconsin’s Northwoods region offers endless ways to enjoy the outdoors, from muskellunge fishing in Boulder Junction to cross-country skiing along the Ice Age Trail in Tomahawk. Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) offers a unique way to experience the area’s natural beauty through a self-guided tour of its Otter Rapids hydroelectric
power plant west of Eagle River off Highway 70.  Otter Rapids Hydro is nestled along the banks of the Wisconsin River, west of Eagle River. The hydroelectric power plant uses the flow of the river to produce affordable, reliable and clean energy for WPS customers and has been generating clean energy for more than 100 years. It also helps control water levels for the Eagle River lakes system, which is part of the world’s largest chain of freshwater lakes.

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XCEL ENERGY SENT SUPPORT AS HURRICANE IAN HIT FLORIDA

Xcel Energy sent support to Florida for restoration efforts as Hurricane Ian made landfall. Xcel Energy provided
approximately 270 contract workers. The line workers were from Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota,
North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas.

“When the call for help came in, Xcel Energy and the entire electric industry answered that call,” says Bob Frenzel,
Chairman, President and CEO of Xcel Energy. “When our customers experience adverse conditions, we know that
they would do the same for us. It’s imperative that the electric companies work together to ensure the resiliency of
our essential product as storm volatility increases.”

WISCONSIN REGULATORS APPROVE MGE VEHICLE CHARGING PROGRAMS

Regulators have approved a suite of programs designed to allow Madison Gas and Electric to better understand and manage charging patterns. Wisconsin utility regulators have approved a suite of electric vehicle charging programs that the utility says will help the it prepare for the emerging technology while lowering costs for consumers. The Public Service Commission voted unanimously approve three new charging programs for homeowners, apartment dwellers and fleet managers and cement a program that MGE has been testing over the past six years. MGE says the programs, allowing the utility to remotely manage vehicle charging, are needed as vehicle manufacturers spend billions of dollars to roll out hundreds of new models in the next three years. The company cited projections by the Brattle Group that the number of EVs on the nation’s roads could jump from 1.5 million in 2020 to as many as 35 million by the end of the decade.

STOP NON-REGULATED UTILITY OPERATIONS!

Legislative Issues

ACTION ALERT

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ACT NOW! STOP NON-REGULATED UTILITY OPERATIONS!

Link to Comment on  Docket 9300-DR-105

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Xcel Energy Announces Vision to Power All Vehicles With Carbon-Free Energy by 2050

Xcel Energy has announced a new transportation vision that drives toward providing the infrastructure and energy to run all vehicles in its service area on carbon-free electricity or other clean energy by 2050. Expanding upon the company’s existing 2030 electric vision supports its overall goal to become a net-zero energy provider by 2050. By enabling a zero-carbon transportation future, the company’s clean energy can also help customers save billions of dollars in fuel costs and deliver cleaner air for everyone.

“Xcel Energy is making incredible progress and has already reduced power sector carbon emissions by fifty percent since 2005,” said Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President, and CEO of Xcel Energy. “As we expand our clean energy leadership to transportation, which is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the nation, we know that electric vehicles are a key component of our comprehensive strategy to be a net-zero energy provider by 2050.”

MGE Energy Increases Dividend for 47th Consecutive Year

The Board of Directors of MGE Energy has announced an increased the regular quarterly dividend rate approximately five percent to $0.4075 per share on the outstanding shares of the company's common stock. The dividend is payable September 15, 2022, to shareholders of record September 1, 2022. This raises the annualized dividend rate by eight cents from $1.55 per share to $1.63 per share.

"Today's dividend increase marks the company's 47th consecutive year of increasing its dividend, an accomplishment that everyone at MGE Energy can be proud of. We recognize the importance of dividend growth to the overall shareholder value proposition," Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Keebler said. "We continue to move forward in our clean energy transition to achieve our goals of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and carbon reductions of at least 80% by 2030. Today's action by our board demonstrates the continued strength and resilience of MGE Energy's long-term business strategy in building your community energy company for the future."

MGE Energy has increased its dividend annually for the past 47 years and has paid cash dividends for more than 110 years.

ATC Named to Best Workplaces in List

Great Place to Work® and Fortune magazine have honored American Transmission Company as one of the 2022 Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production™. This is the fifth consecutive year ATC was named to this prestigious list, and the seventh overall time, this year coming in at number 13 on the list. Earning a spot means that ATC is one of the best companies to work for in the country.

The Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production award is based on analysis of survey responses from 57,000 current employees in the manufacturing and production industry category. In that survey, eighty-eight percent of ATC’s employees said ATC is a great place to work compared to fifty-seven percent of employees at the average U.S. company.

Wind Farm Site Being Prepped for Turbine Construction

Construction activities are underway at the future site of the Red Barn Wind Farm in Grant County. A subsidiary of Madison Gas and Electric will purchase a ten percent share of the 92-megawatt (MW) project when it’s complete.

Minnesota-based ALLETE Clean Energy is constructing the wind farm, which will consist of 28 turbines over about 12,000 acres. The land hosting the turbines will be leased from local landowners, who may continue to use it for farming or grazing. MGE’s share of the project is expected to generate enough energy to power about 4,000 households.

The company’s investment in the Red Barn Wind Farm is one of several renewable energy projects in various stages of development.