NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Nov. 12, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that the ratings and outlook on Cleco Corp. (BBB/Negative/NR) are not affected by the assignment of Williams Companies' interest to Bear Energy LP, a subsidiary of Bear Stearns Companies Inc., in the tolling agreement with Cleco's 775MW Evangeline plant. Although the Evangeline tolling agreement does not provide a meaningful contribution to Cleco, the inclusion of Bear Energy as the new counterparty in the agreement should ensure a more stable net revenue stream to Cleco.