EXHIBIT 99(b)


                       CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, James K. Vizanko, Vice President,  Chief  Financial Officer  and Treasurer of
ALLETE,  Inc.  (Company),  certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1.   The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the  quarterly  period
     ended  September 30, 2002 (Report) fully complies with the  requirements of
     Section  13(a) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C.  78m or
     78o(d)]; and

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

Dated:  November 1, 2002



                                                James Vizanko
                                                --------------------------------
                                                James K. Vizanko
                                                Vice President, Chief Financial
                                                Officer and Treasurer