EXHIBIT 23(a)
                                                           ALLETE 2006 Form 10-K

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-02109, 333-41882, 333-57104) and Form S-8 (Nos.
333-16445, 333-16463, 333-82901, 333-91348,  333-105225,  333-124455) of ALLETE,
Inc. of our report dated  February  12, 2007,  except as to Note 7 for which the
date is February 15, 2007,  relating to the consolidated  financial  statements,
financial  statement schedule,  management's  assessment of the effectiveness of
internal  control over  financial  reporting and the  effectiveness  of internal
control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 15, 2007