Alliant Energy 1Q profit rises on higher utility revenue

MADISON, Wis.—Utility operator Alliant Energy Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter profit rose 6.6 percent as colder-than-average winter weather boosted demand for electricity and gas.

For the quarter ended March 31, Alliant earned $68.1 million, or 62 cents per share, compared with $63.9 million, or 55 cents per share, for the same quarter in 2007.

The 2007 quarter included a loss of $1.3 million, or 1 cent per share, from discontinued operations.

Operating revenue rose 8.7 percent to $992 million from $912.7 million in the year-ago period.

Alliant said profit at its utility business got a boost from higher electric and gas sales in the recent quarter resulting from colder weather, while the year-ago period's results included costs related to winter storms in Interstate Power and Light Co.'s service areas.

Those items were partially offset by the effects of retail fuel cost recoveries at Wisconsin Power and Light Co. and higher transmission-related costs at Interstate Power, the company said.

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