PINEVILLE, La. - The regulated utility of Cleco Corporation (NYSE: CNL), Cleco Power LLC (Cleco), today received approval to join the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO). At its regular monthly Business and Executive session, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) unanimously approved the utility's change of control request.

"We have achieved an important milestone in our process to join MISO, and continue to target full integration by the end of this year," said Bruce A. Williamson, president and CEO of Cleco Corporation. "Our customers can expect to receive the benefits of more efficient generation dispatch and increased reliability through a coordinated transmission planning process." 
                               
Cleco filed the change of control request with the LPSC in December 2012.

Cleco took its first operational steps of the integration process on June 1, 2013 when MISO became Cleco's reliability coordinator. In addition, Cleco began participating in the MISO transmission planning process, where the company will work with other members to plan transmission projects on a regional basis.

"As a MISO member, Cleco will participate in a regional energy market that creates transmission and generation growth opportunities and provides greater access to additional wholesale power loads," said Williamson.