<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant / /
Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY
1000 Main Street
P.O. Box 769
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0769
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO THE HOLDERS OF COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK OF
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of the stockholders of
Interstate Power Company, a Delaware Corporation ("IPC"), will be held at the
Holiday Inn Dubuque Five Flags, 450 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa, on Tuesday, the
thirteenth (13th) day of May 1997, at two o'clock in the afternoon, Central
Daylight Time, for the purpose of considering and voting with respect to the
following matters:
1. The election of three Class III directors to hold office for a term of
three years expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company
to be held in 2000, and until their respective successors shall have been
duly elected and qualified;
2. The transaction of such other business as may properly be presented to
the meeting. The Company's Board of Directors at this time knows of no
such other business.
In accordance with the provisions of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, and the By-Laws, as amended, of IPC, the Board of
Directors has determined that the holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of
record at the close of business on March 14, 1997, voting together as a class,
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
If you do not expect to be present at the meeting, please execute the
enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the accompanying addressed envelope.
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY
BY: [/S/ J.C. MCGOWAN]
J.C. McGowan
SECRETARY
Dated, March 27, 1997
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL YOUR HOLDINGS MAY BE. TO
ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE DATE THE ENCLOSED
PROXY, WHICH IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF IPC, SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR
NAME APPEARS THEREON AND RETURN IMMEDIATELY.
<PAGE>
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY
1000 Main Street
P.O. Box 769
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0769
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 13, 1997
This Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy and the Annual Report are being
mailed on or about March 27, 1997, to each holder of record of Interstate Power
Company common and preferred stock at the close of business March 14, 1997. The
enclosed proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the management of the Company
for use at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held on May
13, 1997, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
PROXIES
Every proxy delivered, pursuant to this solicitation, is revocable at any
time before the shares that it represents are voted at the annual meeting, at
the option of the person executing the same, by filing written notice thereof,
or a later valid proxy, with the Secretary of the Company.
In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal
interview, or by telephone, facsimile, or telegraph. Banks, nominees and other
custodians and fiduciaries may be reimbursed, where appropriate, for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to their
customers. Proxies may be solicited by officers and regular employees of the
Company without compensation therefor additional to their regular salaries. The
cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company.
Holders of Interstate Power Company Common and Preferred Stock may vote
either in person or by properly executed proxy. By completing and returning the
form of proxy, the IPC stockholder authorized the persons named therein to vote
all the IPC stockholder's shares on his or her behalf. All completed proxies
returned will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated on such
proxies. If no instructions are given on a properly executed proxy, it will be
voted FOR the election of three Class III directors. Any proxy not so furnished
to the Company prior to the closing of the voting will be considered not voted
for either determination of a quorum or for tabulation of results. Abstentions
and broker non-votes (i.e., proxies from brokers or nominees indicating that
such persons have not received instructions from the beneficial owners or other
persons entitled to vote shares) will be considered voted in determination of a
quorum but will not be included in the tabulation of votes on any matter brought
before the meeting. A proxy may be revoked by voting in person at the meeting,
by written notice to the Corporate Secretary, or by delivery of a duly executed
proxy bearing a later date, in each case prior to the closing of the polls for
voting at the annual meeting.
1
<PAGE>
GENERAL
The purposes of the meeting are set forth in the attached Notice of Annual
Meeting. However, the enclosed proxy gives discretionary authority to the proxy
holders named therein should any other matters be presented to the meeting and
it is the intention of such proxy holders to take such action in connection
therewith as shall be in accordance with their best judgment. The Company
contemplates reporting to all common and preferred stockholders of record after
the meeting as to the action taken at the meeting.
PROPOSED MERGER
The Company, WPL Holdings, Inc. (WPLH) and IES Industries Inc. (IES) have
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 10, 1995, as
amended (Merger Agreement), pursuant to which the company, WPLH and IES will
combine into a single entity to be known after the combination as Interstate
Energy Corporation. Stockholders of each of the merger partners approved the
transaction and certain related matters at separate stockholder meetings held on
September 5, 1996. Subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, the proposed
combination is currently expected to close by the end of the third quarter of
1997. As provided in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the
combination, the Board of Directors of Interstate Energy Corporation will
consist of fifteen directors, three designated by the Company, six designated by
WPLH and six designated by IES.
STATEMENT RELATIVE TO VOTING OF PROXIES
Each outstanding share of IPC Common and Preferred Stock is entitled to one
vote upon each matter presented at the meeting, of which 9,670,866 shares of
Common Stock were outstanding and 761,381 shares of Preferred Stock were
outstanding on December 31, 1996.
If a stockholder is a participant in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and
Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"), the enclosed proxy will represent the number
of shares registered in the participant's name and/or the number of shares
allocated to the participant's account (the "Shares") under the Plan. The proxy
will serve as the instructions as how to vote Shares in the Plan. If the
participating stockholder does not furnish any proxy to vote the shares, the
shares for the account in the Plan will not be voted.
Employees who are participants in the IPC Common Stock Fund of the
Interstate Power Company 401(k) Plan will receive a proxy from Dubuque Bank &
Trust Company (the 401(k) Plan Trustee) and the holder of record for shares held
in the 401(k) Plan. The proxy has imprinted thereon the number of shares held
for the account of each participant. The number of shares imprinted on the proxy
will be voted by the 401(k) Plan Trustee in accordance with the instructions of
the 401(k) Plan participant.
2
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is divided into three classes serving staggered terms
in accordance with the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended. The number of directors, in accordance with the Company's By-Laws,
constituting the full board of directors shall be seven. The terms of Mr. Alan
B. Arends, Mr. Michael R. Chase, and Mr. Wayne H. Stoppelmoor will expire at the
1997 annual meeting and each has been nominated for re-election to a term of
three years expiring in 2000. In all cases, the directors elected will continue
to serve until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified.
It is intended that the proxies solicited on behalf of the Board of
Directors will be voted for the Class III nominees, Mr. Arends, Mr. Chase and
Mr. Stoppelmoor.
In the event that any of the nominees should become unable or for good
reason will not serve as a director, it is intended that the proxies will be
voted for the election of such other person or persons as shall be designated by
the Board of Directors. It is not anticipated that any of the nominees will be
unable or unwilling to serve as a director. Except as otherwise indicated, each
nominee has been engaged in his or her present principal occupation for at least
the past five years.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the nominees for director.
Biographical information concerning each of the nominees for re-election and
the directors continuing in office is presented on the following pages.
3
<PAGE>
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN 2000
CLASS III DIRECTORS -- PRESENT TERMS EXPIRE AT 1997 ANNUAL MEETING
(Insert ALAN B. ARENDS, 63, is President of Allied Benefit Group
Photograph) Financial Services, Corp. (formerly Arends Associates, Inc.,) of
Albert Lea, Minnesota, an employee benefits company which he
founded in 1983. Mr. Arends has also taught at both the high
school and college levels. He was elected to the Board of
Directors of the Company on August 15, 1993. Mr. Arends is
Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit
Committee.
(Insert MICHAEL R. CHASE, 58, was elected to Interstate Power Company's
Photograph) Board of Directors in January of 1996. He was elected
President effective October 1, 1996. He was elected Chief
Executive Officer effective January 1, 1997. He had served as
Vice President, Power Production beginning in 1991 and then
Executive Vice President starting in July 1995. Mr. Chase is a
member of the Nominating Committee.
(Insert WAYNE H. STOPPELMOOR, 63, is Chairman of the Board of Directors
Photograph) of Interstate Power Company. He was elected to the
IPC Board in July 1986. He was elected President and Chief
Executive Officer effective January 1, 1987 and was elected
Chairman on May 1, 1990. He resigned from the position of
President effective October 1, 1996 but continued as Chief
Executive Officer until he retired as an officer on January 1,
1997. Mr. Stoppelmoor has served as Vice President of
Administration beginning in 1978 and then Executive Vice
President starting in May 1985. Mr. Stoppelmoor is Chairman of
the Executive Committee.
OTHER INCUMBENT DIRECTORS
CLASS I DIRECTORS -- PRESENT TERMS EXPIRE AT 1998 ANNUAL MEETING
(Insert ALFRED D. CORDES, 65, was elected to Interstate Power Company's
Photograph) Board of Directors on January 1, 1992. He was elected Vice
President -- District Administration and Public Affairs on May 1,
1990 and retired from that position on July 1, 1995. He has also
served as District Manager and Executive Assistant prior to being
appointed Vice President -- District Administration on January 1,
1986. Mr. Cordes is a member of the Executive Committee.
4
<PAGE>
(Insert JOYCE L. HANES, 64, has been a Director of Midwest Wholesale
Photograph) Inc., Mason City, Iowa since 1970. She was elected Chairman of
the Board of that Company in May, 1986 and retired from that
position in 1988. She was elected a Director of Interstate Power
Company on January 1, 1982. Mrs. Hanes is Chairman of the Audit
Committee, and a member of the Compensation Committee and the
Executive Committee.
CLASS II DIRECTORS -- PRESENT TERMS EXPIRE AT 1999* ANNUAL MEETING
(Insert JAMES E. BYRNS, 70, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Photograph) Custom-Pak, Inc. of Clinton, Iowa, a firm of which he was co-
founder in 1974. Mr. Byrns was elected to this position on August
15, 1989. He had been President of that Company since 1980 having
served as Executive Vice President from 1974. He was elected to
Interstate Power Company's Board of Directors on January 31,
1984. Mr. Byrns is Chairman of the Nominating Committee and is a
member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.
*In October of 1996 Mr. Byrns reached age 70, the mandatory
retirement age for Directors, the Board of Directors adopted in
July of 1996 a resolution authorizing the continued service of
Mr. Byrns as a Class II Director from October, 1996 until the
1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or the effective date of the
merger with WPL Holdings, Inc, IES Industries Inc. and IPC,
whichever came first. If the merger is not effective on May 13,
1997, the Board of Directors will again consider the matter.
(Insert GERALD L. KOPISCHKE, 65, was elected to Interstate Power
Photograph) Company's Board of Directors effective July 10, 1992.
Mr. Kopischke was elected Vice President -- Electric Operations
on September 1, 1980 and retired from that position on January 1,
1996. He had served as Director of Electrical Engineering prior
to being appointed as Vice President. Mr. Kopischke is a member
of the Nominating Committee.
Certain information regarding executive officers of the Company called for
by applicable regulations of the SEC has been furnished in the Company's annual
report on Form 10-K for 1996.
5
<PAGE>
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Company has a standing Executive Committee, present members are Mr.
Stoppelmoor, Mr. Cordes, and Mrs. Hanes. This committee held one meeting during
the year 1996. The functions performed by the Executive Committee include acting
on behalf of the Board of Directors when necessary between meetings of the full
Board of Directors.
The Company has a standing Audit Committee, present members are Mrs. Hanes,
Mr. Arends, and Mr. Byrns. The Audit Committee held two meetings during the year
1996. The functions performed were briefly as follows: recommending to the Board
of Directors the independent auditors to be employed by the Company, reviewing
the planned audit scope, reviewing the results of the independent auditors'
examination and reporting to the Board the results of such services with
recommendations concerning the same.
The Company has a standing Nominating Committee, present members are Mr.
Byrns, Mr. Kopischke, and Mr. Chase. Mr. Alfred D. Cordes served on the
Nominating Committee until September 5, 1996 when he was replaced by Mr. Chase.
The Nominating Committee held three meetings in 1996. The committee's function
is to make recommendations to the Board for Board member succession, and as to
the Board member compensation. While there are no formal procedures, the
committee considers nominees brought to its attention by other members of the
Interstate Power Company Board of Directors, members of management and
Stockholders.
The Company has a standing Compensation Committee, present members are Mr.
Arends, Mr. Byrns, and Mrs. Hanes. The Compensation Committee's functions are to
recommend to the Board the compensation of the CEO and executive officers, the
types and nature of employee benefit plans, and to prepare, as required by the
Proxy Rules, a Compensation Committee report to be included in the Proxy
Statement. The Compensation Committee held four meetings during 1996.
NOTE: The total number of meetings (of all kinds) of the Board of Directors
(together with Committee meetings) during the fiscal year 1996 was 20. All
directors with the exception of Mr. Arends attended all of the meetings of the
Board and committees of the Board on which he or she served. During 1996 Mr.
Arends attended all but one of the total number of Board meetings and Committee
meetings on which he served.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
During the period of January 1, 1996, to March 31, 1996 all directors who
were not employees of the Company were paid $8500.00 per year plus $600.00 for
each directors' meeting in which they participated. Also $600.00 was paid each
non-employee director for each committee meeting held on a day separate from a
scheduled Board meeting while $300.00 was paid for each committee meeting which
they attended that was held the same day but not in conjunction with a Board
meeting. Effective April 1, 1996, the annual retainer for non-employee directors
was increased to $11,000.00 per year. The fees for any Regular or Special
Meeting of the Board as well as committee meeting held on non-board meeting days
were increased to $650. Fees for committee meetings held on a Board meeting day
but not consecutive of that meeting were increased to $325. The meeting and
committee fees were for non-employee directors only.
6
<PAGE>
All directors who were not employees received reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with directors' or committee meetings. Each
director was included in the Company's group life insurance program.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Board of Directors accepted the recommendations of the Compensation
Committee for the 1996 salaries at the November 7, 1995 Board Meeting. There
were no interlocking and insider positions required to be disclosed.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The Company represents that as of December 31, 1996, to the best of its
knowledge only the following persons or groups owned of record or beneficially
more than 5% of the outstanding VOTING SECURITIES of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF BENEFICIAL % OF OWNERSHIP
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER TITLE OF CLASS OWNERSHIP (1) (1)
- ------------------------------------ ----------------------- ------------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
WPLH IPC Common Stock 1,903,293 16.6%
IES IPC Common Stock 1,903,293 16.6%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) By reason of the Stock Option Agreements, each of WPLH and IES may be deemed
to have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares listed
above which are subjected to their respective Options from IPC and,
accordingly, each of WPLH and IES may be deemed to beneficially own all of
such shares (assuming exercise of its Option and the nontriggering of the
other party's right to exercise its Option for IPC Common Stock). However,
each of WPLH and IES expressly disclaim any beneficial ownership of such
shares because the Options are exercisable only in certain circumstances.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The directors and officers of the Company owned of record and beneficially
on December 31, 1996, an aggregate of 33,747 shares of Common Stock of the
Company, representing less than 1% of the shares outstanding.
7
<PAGE>
The Company represents that as of December 31, 1996, to the best of its
knowledge beneficial ownership of shares of each class of EQUITY SECURITIES of
the Company by all directors and nominees individually, the CEO and certain
named executive officers individually, and the directors and officers of the
Company as a group is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF BENEFICIAL % OF
NAME OF NOMINEE TITLE OF CLASS (1) OWNERSHIP (2)(3) OWNERSHIP
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Alan B. Arends Common Stock 971 *
James E. Byrns Common Stock 2,889 *
Michael R. Chase Common Stock 5,434 *
Alfred D. Cordes Common Stock 1,653(4) *
Donald E. Hamill Common Stock 2,512(4) *
Joyce L. Hanes Common Stock 1,652 *
Gerald L. Kopischke Common Stock 4,401(4) *
Dale R. Sharp Common Stock 2,412(4) *
Wayne H. Stoppelmoor Common Stock 5,096(4) *
William C. Troy Common Stock 351(4) *
Officers and Directors as a
group -- 14 in group Common Stock 33,747(4) *
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* less than 1%
(1) In addition to Common Stock, the Company also has, as equity securities,
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
(2) Information with respect to beneficial ownership based upon information
furnished by each officer or director and contained in filings made with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
(3) Includes shares in which said director or officer may have an indirect
beneficial ownership by reason of the ownership of such shares by their
spouses, dependent children or trusts.
(4) Includes 1,976 shares for Mr. Stoppelmoor, 1,608 shares for Mr. Kopischke,
1,853 shares for Mr. Hamill, 356 shares for Mr. Cordes, 910 shares for Mr.
Sharp, 253 shares for Mr. Troy and an aggregate of 12,311 shares for
officers and directors. These shares are in the Company's 401(k) Plan as of
December 31, 1996.
8
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee consists of three members of the Board of
Directors (Mrs. Hanes and Messrs. Arends and Schrup (deceased January 16, 1996))
none of whom is a current or former officer or an employee of the Company. Mr.
Schrup was replaced as Chairman by Mr. Arends and Mr. James E. Byrns replaced
Mr. Schrup as a committee member.
Annually, the Committee reviews executive compensation to determine
officers' salary levels for the following year. The compensation of the CEO and
officers of IPC (the "Company") consists solely of base salary. The base salary
levels for the Company's CEO, Mr. Stoppelmoor, and executive officers are
competitively set by the Committee and compared with the base salary levels of
executive officers in similar positions in other companies of similar size and
purpose. Also, considered in the salary determination is the individual
officer's experience and performance relative to the Company's goals. It is the
aim of the Committee to determine salary levels that reward economic value
delivered to Interstate Power Company's stockholders and customers and that
attract, motivate, and retain executives of the highest quality. As guidelines
in determining the CEO and officer salary levels, the Committee reviews the
overall corporate performance (including earnings per share, return on common
equity, operating expense, customer service, economic development and management
efficiency), the compensation levels of executive officers in comparable
utilities and general industry, and the salary recommendations of the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. Of these factors, the Committee accords
significant weight to the compensation levels of comparable utilities.
During the discussion of the overall corporate performance, the Company's
earnings improvement for the 1995 year was noted. The earnings were impacted by
weather that was very favorable to the use of air conditioning and by increases
in customers rates. It was also noted that the Strategic Planning Study
implemented in 1994 to review the Company's current and future long-range goals
in order to cut costs of operation had resulted in cost reductions in excess of
$2 million for the year.
To determine equitable CEO and officer salary levels, the Committee reviewed
the salary levels of other utilities' Chief Executive Officers published in the
various utilities' 1995 Proxy Statements. They next reviewed a list of salaries
of executives of the major publicly-held companies doing business in Iowa as
published by a major Iowa newspaper, and a similar list from the 1995 Edison
Electric Institutes Executive Compensation Survey of Chief Executive Officers
("CEOs"), specifically focusing on those companies west of the Mississippi River
plus Wisconsin and Illinois that have revenues ranging from $85 million to $564
million. It has been determined that Mr. Stoppelmoor's salary should approximate
the average total cash compensation of peer CEOs of the utilities surveyed and
the salaries of the other executive officers would be set at a percentage of the
CEOs modified by performance and responsibility.
9
<PAGE>
In setting 1996 salaries, the Committee also considered the progress made
toward corporate goals of company wide cost containment and the establishment of
a strong record in the areas of customer service, economic development, and
management efficiency. The Committee recommended to the Company's Board of
Directors executive salaries consistent with the range of average estimated
salary increases throughout the comparable-size utility industry. (The
Committee's recommendations for 1996 officers' salaries were approved by the
Company's Board of Directors.)
Compensation Committee
Nicholas J. Schrup Joyce L. Hanes Alan B. Arends
Mr. Schrup died January 16, 1996 and was replaced as Chairman by Mr. Arends.
Mr. Schrup was replaced on the Committee by Mr. James E. Byrns.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return* Among Interstate Power Company
(IPW),
Standard and Poor's Corporation (S & P) 500 Index
& Edison Electric Institute (EEI) 100 Index of Investor Owned Electrics**
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY S&P 500 INDEX EEI 100 INDEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1991 $100 $100 $100
1992 98 108 108
1993 102 118 120
1994 88 120 106
1995 132 165 139
1996 124 203 140
</TABLE>
Assumes $100 invested on January 1, 1992 in Interstate Power Company Stock, S &
P 500 Index and EEI 100 Index of Investor Owned Electrics
* Total Return Assumes Reinvestment of Dividends ** Fiscal Year Ending December
31.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interstate Power Company $100 $ 98 $102 $ 88 $132 $124
S&P 500 Index $100 $108 $118 $120 $165 $203
EEI 100 Index $100 $108 $120 $106 $139 $140
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
CASH COMPENSATION
There is set forth below certain information concerning all compensation of
the CEO and the four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company
as to whom the total compensation exceeded $100,000 during the year 1996.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER ANNUAL ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS COMPENSATION COMPENSATION($)
- ------------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------------- ---------------
(A) (B) (C)(1) (D) (E) (I)(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Wayne H. Stoppelmoor 1996 310,000 0 0 250
President & CEO until 1995 260,000 0 0 250
10-01-96 then CEO only 1994 245,000 0 0 250
Michael R. Chase 1996 171,250 0 0 250
Executive VP then 1995 138,000 0 0 250
President effective 10-1-96 1994 123,500 0 0 250
Donald E. Hamill 1996 129,000 0 0 250
VP-Budgets/Regulatory Affairs 1995 123,000 0 0 250
1994 118,000 0 0 250
William C. Troy 1996 129,000 0 0 250
Controller 1995 123,000 0 0 250
1994 118,000 0 0 250
Dale R. Sharp 1996 120,000 0 0 250
VP-Engineering 1995 50,000 0 0 250
1994 0 0 0 0
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Column (c) includes any salary elective deferral pursuant to the Company's
401(k) Plan. The 401(k) Plan is available to all employees.
(2) Column (i) includes any company matching funds pursuant to the Company's
401(k) Plan. The Company matched $.25 on every dollar deferred by the
participant up to a maximum match of $250. The option is available to all
employees.
COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO PLANS
The Company's Pension Plan covers substantially all employees including
officers. Pension Plan benefits depend upon credited service, age at retirement
and compensation. At an assumed retirement age of 65, the normal retirement
benefit for Pension Plan Participants is based on a formula that applies a
factor of 1.17% to the participant's average annual compensation for the three
highest consecutive years plus a factor of .35% to the participant's average
compensation in excess of Social Security Covered Compensation multiplied by the
number of accredited service years (maximum 35). Optional benefit forms are also
available.
11
<PAGE>
The following table displays the maximum annual retirement benefits payable
under the straight life annuity form of pension at the normal retirement age of
65 for specified remunerations and years of service under the Pension Plan
provisions in effect January 1, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED ANNUAL BENEFITS FOR YEARS OF SERVICE
LISTED
AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPENSATION FOR 3 HIGHEST PAID --------------------------------------------------
CONSECUTIVE YEARS 20 YEARS 25 YEARS 30 YEARS 35 YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$100,000 $ 28,349 $ 35,436 $ 42,523 $ 49,610
125,000 35,949 44,936 53,923 62,910
150,000 43,549 54,436 65,323 76,210
*175,000 46,589 58,236 69,883 81,530
*200,000 or greater 46,589 58,236 69,883 81,530
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* compensation used for benefits is limited to $160,000
For purposes of determining Pension plan benefits, compensation for each of
the individuals listed in the Summary Compensation Table is the same as the
amounts set forth in that table. The estimated full years of credited service
for benefits at retirement under the Pension Plan for those executive officers
listed in the Summary Compensation Table are: Wayne H. Stoppelmoor, 35 years;
Michael R. Chase, 35 years; Donald E. Hamill, 35 years; and William C. Troy, 23
years.
In addition to the Pension Plan, the Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP)
amended in 1995 provides a supplemental retirement benefit for all officers of
the Company. Benefits begin at the normal retirement date (age 65) or a
participant electing early retirement may begin receiving reduced benefits as
early as age 55. For those officers retiring on or after January 1, 1994, the
SRP (1) provides a retirement benefit per month equal to seventy-five percent of
the individual's highest average monthly salary for any consecutive 12-month
period of employment by Interstate prior to retirement, less the individual's
qualified defined benefit retirement plan benefit and less the individual's
social security benefit, and (2) provides a survivor benefit. The SRP may be
funded in part from the general assets of the Company in addition to the
purchase of cost recovery life insurance policies by the Company.
The following table displays the maximum annual supplemental retirement
benefits payable under the straight life annuity form of pension at the normal
retirement age of 65 for specified remunerations for the year of retirement
under the SRP provisions in effect at January 1, 1997.
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<PAGE>
ESTIMATED ANNUAL SRP BENEFITS FOR YEARS OF SERVICE LISTED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINAL ANNUAL SALARY 20 YEARS 25 YEARS 30 YEARS 35 YEARS
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$125,000 $ 44,601 $ 35,614 $ 26,627 $ 17,640
150,000 55,751 44,864 33,977 23,090
175,000 71,461 59,814 48,167 36,520
200,000 90,211 78,564 66,917 55,270
225,000 108,961 97,314 85,667 74,020
250,000 127,711 116,064 104,417 92,770
275,000 146,461 134,814 123,167 111,520
300,000 165,211 153,564 141,917 130,270
325,000 183,961 172,314 160,667 149,020
</TABLE>
The Company has an Amended Deferred Compensation Plan available to officers
and non-employee directors and provides for deferral of salaries and fees with
accrued interest.
In 1988, the Company adopted a 401(k) Plan in which all Employees of the
Company are eligible to participate, subject to meeting Plan eligibility
requirements. Under the provisions of this Plan, any eligible employee may elect
to direct up to 15% of his or her compensation, as defined in the Plan, with a
maximum contribution of $9,500 for the year 1996. Any amount so deferred by the
employee is exempt from current federal income tax. Directors who are not
employees are not eligible to participate in the Plan. To encourage
participation in this Plan, the Company contributes to the account of
participating employees 25 cents for each one dollar contributed by the
employee, up to a maximum Company contribution of $250. Upon retirement from the
Company, employees may receive distributions from their account held by the Plan
Trustee.
OTHER COMPENSATION
No officer individually or officers as a group received "Other Annual
Compensation of $50,000 or 10% of the salary and bonus reported in the Summary
Compensation Table.
STOCK OPTION AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT PLANS
No director or Officer of the Company held any options to purchase
securities from the Company or its subsidiary during the year 1996.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has entered into Severance Agreements with each of nine senior
executives of the Company (including Messrs. Stoppelmoor, Chase, Hamill, Sharp
and Troy) which generally provide for certain benefits in the event the
executive is terminated or resigns under certain circumstances following a
change in control of the Company. The Mergers will constitute a change in
control of the Company for purposes of these agreements.
13
<PAGE>
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC AUDITORS
The firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP has been selected to serve as the
independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1997. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to be present at the
annual meeting of stockholders of the Company scheduled for May 13, 1997 with
the opportunity to make a statement and to be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
1998 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order for stockholder proposals for the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement, they
must be received by the Company at its principal office in Dubuque, Iowa, on or
before January 13, 1998.
POSSIBLE ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
In case the requisite vote to elect the nominees for directors proposed by
the Company cannot be obtained at the date set for the meeting, it is the
intention of the management, if it seems advisable to do so at the time, to
adjourn the meeting to permit the solicitation of additional proxies.
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY
BY: [/S/ W. H. STOPPELMOOR]
W. H. Stoppelmoor
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
March 27, 1997
Dubuque, Iowa.
14
<PAGE>
INTERSTATE POWER COMPANY
PROXY
SOLICATED ON BEHALF OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 13, 1997
The undersigned hereby appoints W. H. STOPPELMOOR, J. C. MCGOWAN, AND D. D.
JANNETTE, and each of them, with power of substitution, as proxies for the
undersigned, to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders of INTERSTATE POWER
COMPANY (The "Company") to be held at the Holiday Inn Dubuque Five Flags, 450
Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa, on May 13, 1997, at 2:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof:
Please use an (X) to indicate your vote in the boxes below. (CHECK ONE BOX ONLY)
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR THE NOMINEES.
ELECTION OF CLASS III DIRECTORS.
The nominees, for terms ending in 2000, and until their respective
successors shall have been duly elected and qualified are:
ALAN B. ARENDS, MICHAEL R. CHASE, and WAYNE H. STOPPELMOOR
/ / FOR all nominees named above / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
(except as marked to the for all nominees named above.
contrary above.)
(INSTRUCTION: to withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee
draw a line through the nominee's name above.)
The undersigned hereby revokes any and all proxies heretofore given or executed
by the undersigned with respect to the shares of stock represented by this Proxy
and, by filing this Proxy with the Secretary of the Company, gives notice of
such revocation.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS INDICATED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED AND WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROXIES' DISCRETION ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.
In order to assure that your shares will be represented at the meeting and to
facilitate the tabulation of votes, PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN this proxy and
return promptly in the enclosed envelope. If you attend the meeting and wish to
change your vote, you may do so automatically by casting your ballot at the
meeting.
DATED: , 1997
------------------- ---------------------------------
Stockholder
Please sign exactly as shown above. ---------------------------------
Stockholder
