Leading Energy Provider Lends a Hand to Customers in
Storm-Stricken Central United States

Black Hills Energy Assists Ameren and Entergy with Ice Storm Recovery

PUEBLO, CO. Feb. 4, 2009 – Black Hills Energy, as part of its membership in the Midwest Mutual Assistance Group, today announced that 15 linemen and one supervisor were sent to help restore power in storm-stricken southeastern Missouri and Arkansas. Black Hills Energy employees traveled from Pueblo, Cañon City and Victor, Colo. to help Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Walnut Ridge, Arkansas customers who were out of power due to the weather.

Arriving on Jan. 29, Black Hills Energy employees assisted Ameren in restoring electricity to between 36,000 and 50,000 Missouri customers. Due to the massive storm that hit the area, some power lines were covered with two inches of ice. On Feb. 2, the same team volunteered to assist Arkansas customers, served by Entergy Corporation, that were out of power due to additional storms in the area.

“We are more than happy to lend a hand to Ameren and Entergy, and their customers” said Gary Stone, Black Hills Energy operating vice president for Colorado Electric. “Electricity is a vital service and it is critical that utility personnel from various companies work side-by-side to restore power when storms of this magnitude strike.”

The dedicated employees are expected to return home this week but will remain in Arkansas as long as needed.

The Midwest Mutual Assistance Group coordinates emergency power restoration support between 31 mid-western utilities.

About Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Energy, a subsidiary of Black Hills Corp., serves approximately 92,000 electric customers in 21 southeastern Colorado communities. Black Hills Corp., based in Rapid City, S.D. (NYSE: BKH), is a diversified energy company with a tradition of exemplary service and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. The company serves 750,000 utility customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. The non-regulated business unit generates electricity, produces natural gas, oil and coal, and markets energy. We partner to produce results that improve life with energy. Learn more at blackhillscorp.com.

About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) is among the nation's largest investor-owned electric and gas utilities, with approximately $19 billion in assets. The largest electric utility in Missouri and the second largest in Illinois, Ameren companies provide energy services to 2.4 million electric and nearly one million natural gas customers throughout its 64,000-square-mile territory.

Created by the year-end 1997 merger of Union Electric Company and CIPSCO, parent of Central Illinois Public Service Company, the company grew in 2003 with the acquisition of CILCORP, the parent of Central Illinois Light Company and again in 2004 with the acquisition of Illinois Power Company.

Ameren companies pride themselves on a long, successful tradition of financial strength, cost containment and quality customer service, as well as nine decades of uninterrupted cash dividend payments to stockholders.

About Entergy Corporation
Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $13 billion and approximately 14,300 employees.

###