BOSTON, Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlantic Power Corporation (TSX: ATP) (NYSE: AT) (the "Company" or "Atlantic Power") today announced its distribution for the month of January 2013.  A dividend of Cdn$0.09583 per common share will be payable on February 28, 2013 to holders of record at the close of business on January 31, 2013.

Tax Information for Shareholders

Atlantic Power Corporation designates its dividend to be an "eligible dividend" pursuant to subsection 89(14) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and its equivalent in any provinces of Canada. 

U.S. individual or other non-corporate taxpayers may be eligible for the reduced rate of tax currently applicable to "qualified dividends" provided that the investor meets the holding period and any other requirements. 

The Company's common share dividend is subject to a 25% withholding tax rate for holders that are not residents of Canada, which may be reduced pursuant to an applicable tax treaty.  The withholding tax rate is 15% for U.S.-resident holders that qualify for the benefits of the Canada – U.S. Income Tax Convention.

Non-Canadian holders may be required by their brokers to complete a Form NR301 (or an equivalent form) in order to demonstrate their entitlement to a treaty-reduced rate of withholding tax.  U.S. and other non-Canadian holders should consult their brokers about the requirement to provide such forms.

U.S. individuals holding shares in taxable accounts may be eligible to receive a credit on their U.S. income tax return for this withholding tax.  U.S. individuals holding the Company's common shares in Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs") may be exempt from withholding tax pursuant to the Canada – U.S. Income Tax Convention. 

Taxpayers should always seek their own independent qualified professionals regarding the tax consequences of purchasing or owning common shares of the Company.  Individuals who believe the withholding tax exemption applies to their IRA should contact their broker to determine how to claim the exemption.

About Atlantic Power

Atlantic Power is a leading publicly traded, power generation and infrastructure company with a well-diversified portfolio of assets in the United States and Canada. The Company's corporate strategy is to increase the value of the Company through accretive acquisitions in North American markets while generating stable, contracted cash flows from its existing assets. The Company's power generation projects sell electricity to utilities and other large commercial customers under long-term PPAs, which seek to minimize exposure to changes in commodity prices. The net generating capacity of the Company's projects is approximately 2,560 MW, consisting of interests in 33 operational power generation projects across 12 states and 2 provinces and also an 84-mile, 500 kilovolt electric transmission line located in California. In addition, the Company has a 53 MW biomass project under construction in Georgia, which is expected to achieve COD in the first quarter of 2013. Atlantic Power owns a majority interest in Rollcast Energy, a biomass power plant developer in Charlotte, NC.  The Company also owns Ridgeline, a renewable development company out of Seattle, WA with approximately 1,000 MW of wind and solar projects under development.  Atlantic Power is incorporated in British Columbia, is headquartered in Boston and has offices in Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle and San Diego.

Atlantic Power has a market capitalization of approximately $1.4 billion and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AT and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATP. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.atlanticpower.com or contact:

Atlantic Power Corporation
Amanda Wagemaker, Investor Relations
(617) 977-2700 
info@atlanticpower.com

Copies of financial data and other publicly filed documents are filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml under "Atlantic Power Corporation" or on the Company's website.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements 

To the extent any statements made in this news release contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and forward-looking information as defined under Canadian securities law (collectively, "forward-looking statements").

Certain statements in this news release may constitute "forward-looking statements", which reflect the expectations of management regarding the future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities of the Company and its projects and other matters. These statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words "may," "will," "project," "continue," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "expect" or similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to present or historical matters. Examples of such statements in this press release include, but are not limited, to statements with respect to the expectations for the achievement of commercial operation of Atlantic Power's biomass project under construction in Georgia and its wind project under construction in Oklahoma.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not or the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved.  A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's periodic reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada from time to time. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what are believed to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material.  These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

SOURCE Atlantic Power Corporation