Alliant Energy : April 8, 2009

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – April 8, 2009 – Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Trees Forever awarded two grants to support trees projects in Fort Madison through their Branching Out program. A $3,100 grant was presented to the Old Settlers Association and a $1,500 grant presented to the Fort Madison Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Old Settlers Association is an all volunteer organization that works in cooperation with the City of Fort Madison Department of Parks and Recreation to help clean, maintain, and beautify the Old Settlers Park. Several large, mature trees were irreparably damaged and had to be removed following last summer’s storms. The community organization will use the grant to purchase a variety of deciduous and conifer trees for planting this spring. Fort Madison Department of Parks and Recreation plan to replace storm-damaged trees at Riverview, Central and Old Settlers Park.

Branching Out is a nationally-recognized grant program through which Alliant Energy, Trees Forever and local community leaders work together to fund and implement tree-planting projects. The program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community involvement in Iowa.

“Trees Forever and Alliant Energy are committed to improving the environment and our quality of life through long-term tree planting and care,” said Shannon Ramsay, President and CEO of Trees Forever. “We place a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and conservation plantings that create positive solutions one neighborhood and community at a time.”

Branching Out is offered exclusively to Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. The utility provides grants of between $1,000 and $10,000 for community-based, tree-planting projects – like parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, schools and more. Trees Forever administers the program, providing technical and planning support.

Since the start of the Branching Out program in 1989, more than 1.1 million trees and seedlings have been planted as part of 2,252 Iowa projects by a volunteer force of 115,588 people. Environmentally, the trees planted represent a kilowatt hour savings of 14,550,629 —or enough energy to power nearly 1,500 average-size residential homes for one year.

To apply for a Branching Out grant, complete an application form and submit a site plan and proposal letter before June 1, 2009. Branching Out applications are available online at www.alliantenergy.com. Grants are awarded two times per year, to coincide with the spring and fall planting seasons. Communities may apply and receive funding for multiple projects in a single grant cycle.

Media Contact: Nancy Craig, (319) 786-4788