EXHIBIT 32

                  SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT
           BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
            PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


Pursuant to Section 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002,  18 U.S.C.  Section
1350, each of the undersigned  officers of ALLETE,  Inc.  (ALLETE),  does hereby
certify that:

1.  The Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q of ALLETE for the quarterly  period ended
    September 30, 2004 (Report) fully complies with the  requirements of Section
    13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and

2.  The  information  contained in the Report fairly  presents,  in all material
    respects, the financial condition and results of operations of ALLETE.



Date:  November 4, 2004        Donald J. Shippar
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               Donald J. Shippar
                               President and Chief Executive Officer



Date:  November 4, 2004        James K. Vizanko
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               James K. Vizanko
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



This certification shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise  subject to liability  pursuant to
that  section.  Such  certification  shall not be deemed to be  incorporated  by
reference  into any filing under the  Securities  Act of 1933 or the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that ALLETE specifically incorporates
it by reference.

A signed  original of this written  statement  required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the  electronic  version of this written  statement
required  by Section  906,  has been  provided to ALLETE and will be retained by
ALLETE and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
request.

                      ALLETE Third Quarter 2004 Form 10-Q