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NEWS RELEASE

Consumers Energy
2908 S. Center St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
800-696-6552

Release Date: Immediate

Contact: Deb Borton @ 641-752-2296, ext. 103

Local Legislators Recognize Access Energy as Vital Economic Development Catalyst

November 21, 2002, Marshalltown, IA – During its annual fall meeting with local legislators, Consumers Energy was recognized as a vital element to the economic development efforts in central Iowa.

Legislators from around Newton, Grinnell, Pella, Tama and Marshalltown, Iowa met with representatives of Consumers Energy on November 19, 2002, at the Depot Restaurant in Grinnell, Iowa, to visit about the upcoming session. With the high number of new faces in the Iowa General Assembly, Consumers Energy took this opportunity to acquaint, or in some cases, to reacquaint, the lawmakers with the cooperative business structure.

"We started with the basics, describing how co-ops are owned and governed by the people it serves. We focused on how we are different from other types of energy companies and how these differences sometimes require consideration of different treatment when it comes to new laws and policies," explained Brian Heithoff, CEO/General Manager.

The co-op representatives provided the lawmakers with maps detailing the new legislative districts and which co-ops provide services within those districts. This led to a discussion on the economic development efforts of Consumers Energy and what they have put forth in an effort to keep their rural areas strong and healthy.

"We are very proud of our economic development successes," said Heithoff. "We firmly believe that investing in central Iowa through economic development is the best way we can contribute to the vitality of Iowa," he added.

The co-op leaders also discussed issues related to alternative energy with the legislators. As electricity supply has tightened across the country and concerns have grown about pollution and resource depletion, people have looked for alternatives to the traditional types of generation. The rural areas of Iowa are prime development areas for the location of many of the alternate energy technologies, such as wind, methane and biomass.

Consumers Energy meets with the area legislator every fall to discuss the upcoming legislative session and the issues that may arise. These meetings are designed to cultivate relationships and provide a forum for discussion of impending issues.