EXHIBIT 23(b)

                           CONSENT OF GENERAL COUNSEL


The statements of law and legal conclusions under "Item 1. Business" in ALLETE's
Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for the year  ended  December  31,  2004 have been
reviewed  by me and are set forth  therein  in  reliance  upon my  opinion as an
expert.

I hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of such statements of law and
legal  conclusions  in  Registration  Statement  Nos.  333-02109,  333-41882 and
333-57104 on Form S-3, and  Registration  Statement Nos.  333-16445,  333-16463,
333-82901, 333-91348, 333-105225 and 333-110740 on Form S-8.


Deborah A. Amberg

Deborah A. Amberg
Duluth, Minnesota
February 10, 2005