Dec. 22, 2005 -- Contact: Crystal Livers-Powers 317-393-7584
Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) announced today that it has donated a total of $1 million to two local service organizations. IPL has donated $750,000 to Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI) and $250,000 to United Way of Central Indiana’s Winter Assistance Fund, both of which provide winter energy assistance to those in our community that need it the most.

In October, IPL announced an agreement with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) that included a one-time $25 energy assistance credit that would have appeared on IPL residential customers’ bills in January 2006. IPL sought approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to provide this credit to our customers. IPL learned that it would not receive the necessary regulatory approval in time to provide the residential credit in January and, as a result, has withdrawn its filing.

“While some IPL residential customers may not need a $25 credit to pay their electric utility bills this winter, there are many Indianapolis families in critical need of assistance” said Ann D. Murtlow, IPL president and CEO. “In order to help those in greatest need this heating season, IPL made these one-time charitable contributions for winter heating assistance, to provide help in January, when it is needed the most.

“This contribution will go a long way in helping those families that just cannot make it during the coldest winter months,” said Ellen Annala, president of United Way of Central Indiana. “We appreciate very much that IPL has once again strongly supported the critical needs of our community.”

“Assistance with winter heating bills has never been more important,” stated John Thomas, president of CAGI. “IPL’s contribution of $750,000 is one of the largest corporate contributions CAGI has ever received and we are very grateful for their support of families in need.”

The donations will be earmarked to assist IPL customers who qualify for assistance under each plan. IPL customers who want to apply for CAGI assistance may contact their office at (317) 396-1800. Winter Assistance Fund availability starts on January 11, 2006. Customers may call 2-1-1 beginning January 11 to find out more details or get information on the most convenient locations to apply.

Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) provides retail electric service to about 460,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. During its long history, IPL has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country. For more information, visit www.IPLpower.com.

###