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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May&nbsp;6, 2005

<P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt">Registration
No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp;


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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

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<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>CLECO CORPORATION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>

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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Louisiana</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>72-1445282</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>2030 Donahue Ferry Road<BR>
Pineville, Louisiana</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>71360-5226</B><BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CLECO CORPORATION<BR>
2000 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>R. O&#146;Neal Chadwick, Jr.<BR>
Senior Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
2030 Donahue Ferry Road<BR>
Pineville, Louisiana 71360-5226</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)<BR>
<BR>
Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service: <B>(318)&nbsp;484-7400</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">copy to:<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
<B>Timothy S. Taylor<BR>
Baker Botts L.L.P.<BR>
One Shell Plaza<BR>
910 Louisiana Street<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002<BR>
(713)&nbsp;229-1234</B>

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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>

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    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of securities to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>offering price per share (1)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>aggregate offering price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock (par value
$1.00 per share) (2)</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">1,600,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">20.45</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">32,720,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">3,852</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">(1)&nbsp;Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h)&nbsp;solely for the purpose of calculating the
registration fee and based upon the average of the high and low sales price per share of
Common Stock (&#147;Common Stock&#148;) of Cleco Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) reported on the New York
Stock Exchange on May&nbsp;2, 2005.

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">(2)&nbsp;Each share of Common Stock includes an associated preferred stock purchase right. No
separate consideration is payable for the preferred stock purchase rights. The registration
fee for these securities is included in the fee for the Common Stock.

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES</B>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register an additional 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the &#147;LTIP&#148;).
The Board of Directors of the Company recommended for approval and, on May&nbsp;5, 2005, the
shareholders of the Company approved Amendment No.&nbsp;3 to the LTIP which, among other things,
increased the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the LTIP from
1,600,000 to 3,200,000. As of April&nbsp;30, 2005 (and prior to shareholder approval of Amendment No.&nbsp;3
to the LTIP), 437,226 shares of Common Stock remained available for grant such that upon approval
of the amendment approximately 2,037,226 shares of Common Stock will be available for future grants
under the LTIP. The contents of the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (No.&nbsp;333-59692) relating to
the LTIP are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.

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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h25139exv5.htm">Opinion of SVP and General Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h25139exv23w1.htm">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h25139exv23w2.htm">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h25139exv23w3.htm">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>






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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>


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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents are filed as a part of this Registration Statement or incorporated herein by reference:

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="91%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">

<TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit
No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (restated effective July
1, 1999) (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;A to Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to the Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4 filed on June&nbsp;30, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference,
Commission File No.&nbsp;333-71643-01).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
Company to increase the amount of authorized Common Stock and to effect a two-for-one
split of the Common Stock (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;B to the Proxy Statement filed on March&nbsp;14,
2001, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Bylaws of the Company (revised effective October&nbsp;24, 2003) (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3(a) to
the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly period ended September
30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Rights Agreement between the Company and EquiServe Trust Company, as Rights Agent
(filed as Exhibit&nbsp;1 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on July&nbsp;28, 2000,
and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;A to the
Proxy Statement filed on March&nbsp;22, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference,
Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 1
(effective as of December&nbsp;12, 2003) (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10(a) to the Company&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly period ended March&nbsp;31, 2005, and incorporated
herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 2
(effective as of July&nbsp;23, 2004) (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10(a) to the Company&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly period ended September&nbsp;30, 2004, and incorporated
herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 3 (filed
as Exhibit&nbsp;10(b) to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March&nbsp;31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.
1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of R. O&#146;Neal Chadwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of R. O&#146;Neal Chadwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company
(included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P>
<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade color="#000000">

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pineville, the State of Louisiana, on May&nbsp;6, 2005.


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">CLECO CORPORATION<BR>
(Registrant)<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Kathleen F. Nolen
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Kathleen F. Nolen&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left" nowrap>Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below appoints Kathleen F. Nolen and R. O&#146;Neal Chadwick,
Jr., and each of them, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully and for all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 6th day of May, 2005.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Title</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Michael H. Madison
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Michael H. Madison</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director<br>
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Kathleen F. Nolen
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Kathleen F. Nolen</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer<br>
(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ R. Russell Davis
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
R. Russell Davis</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer<br>
(Principal Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Sherian G. Cadoria
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Sherian G. Cadoria</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Richard B. Crowell
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Richard B. Crowell</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ J. Patrick Garrett
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
J. Patrick Garrett</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ F. Ben James, Jr.
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
F. Ben James, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Elton R. King
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Elton R. King</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ William L. Marks
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
William L. Marks</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Ray B. Nesbitt
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Ray B. Nesbitt</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Robert T. Ratcliff, Sr.
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
Robert T. Ratcliff, Sr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ William H. Walker, Jr.
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
William H. Walker, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ W. Larry Westbrook
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
W. Larry Westbrook</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="91%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">

<TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit
No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (restated effective July&nbsp;1, 1999) (filed as
Exhibit&nbsp;A to Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4 filed on June&nbsp;30,
1999, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;333-71643-01).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the
amount of authorized Common Stock and to effect a two-for-one split of the Common Stock (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;B
to the Proxy Statement filed on March&nbsp;14, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.
1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Bylaws of the Company (revised effective October&nbsp;24, 2003) (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3(a) to the Company&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly period ended September&nbsp;30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference,
Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Rights Agreement between the Company and EquiServe Trust Company, as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;1 to the
Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on July&nbsp;28, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference,
Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;A to the Proxy Statement
filed on March&nbsp;22, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 1 (effective as of December
12, 2003) (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10(a) to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly period
ended March&nbsp;31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 2 (effective as of July&nbsp;23,
2004) (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10(a) to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September&nbsp;30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 3 (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10(b) to
the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarterly period ended March&nbsp;31, 2005, and incorporated
herein by reference, Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15759).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of R. O&#146;Neal Chadwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of R. O&#146;Neal Chadwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P>
<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade color="#000000">

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>


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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2005
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CLECO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
72-1445282
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
2030 Donahue Ferry Road
Pineville, Louisiana
(Address of principal executive offices)
71360-5226
(Zip Code)
CLECO CORPORATION
2000 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
R. O'Neal Chadwick, Jr.
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
2030 Donahue Ferry Road
Pineville, Louisiana 71360-5226
(Name and address of agent for service)
Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service:
(318) 484-7400
copy to:
Timothy S. Taylor
Baker Botts L.L.P.
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 229-1234
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Amount
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
Title of securities to be registered
to be registered
offering price per share (1)
aggregate offering price
registration fee
Common Stock (par value
$1.00 per share) (2)
1,600,000
$
20.45
$
32,720,000
$
3,852
(1) Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h) solely for the purpose of calculating the
registration fee and based upon the average of the high and low sales price per share of
Common Stock ("Common Stock") of Cleco Corporation (the "Company") reported on the New York
Stock Exchange on May 2, 2005.
(2) Each share of Common Stock includes an associated preferred stock purchase right. No
separate consideration is payable for the preferred stock purchase rights. The registration
fee for these securities is included in the fee for the Common Stock.
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register an additional 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the "LTIP").
The Board of Directors of the Company recommended for approval and, on May 5, 2005, the
shareholders of the Company approved Amendment No. 3 to the LTIP which, among other things,
increased the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the LTIP from
1,600,000 to 3,200,000. As of April 30, 2005 (and prior to shareholder approval of Amendment No. 3
to the LTIP), 437,226 shares of Common Stock remained available for grant such that upon approval
of the amendment approximately 2,037,226 shares of Common Stock will be available for future grants
under the LTIP. The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-59692) relating to
the LTIP are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 8. Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Opinion of SVP and General Counsel
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Table of Contents
PART II
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following documents are filed as a part of this Registration Statement or incorporated herein by reference:
Exhibit
No.
Description
4.1*
—
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (restated effective July
1, 1999) (filed as Exhibit A to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 30, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference,
Commission File No. 333-71643-01).
4.2*
—
Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
Company to increase the amount of authorized Common Stock and to effect a two-for-one
split of the Common Stock (filed as Exhibit B to the Proxy Statement filed on March 14,
2001, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
4.3*
—
Bylaws of the Company (revised effective October 24, 2003) (filed as Exhibit 3(a) to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September
30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
4.4*
—
Rights Agreement between the Company and EquiServe Trust Company, as Rights Agent
(filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2000,
and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
10.1*
—
Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit A to the
Proxy Statement filed on March 22, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference,
Commission File No. 1-15759).
10.2*
—
Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 1
(effective as of December 12, 2003) (filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated
herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
10.3*
—
Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 2
(effective as of July 23, 2004) (filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004, and incorporated
herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
10.4*
—
Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 3 (filed
as Exhibit 10(b) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.
1-15759).
5
—
Opinion of R. O'Neal Chadwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company.
23.1
—
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2
—
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3
—
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.4
—
Consent of R. O'Neal Chadwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company
(included in Exhibit 5).
24
—
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).
*
Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.
2
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pineville, the State of Louisiana, on May 6, 2005.
CLECO CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Kathleen F. Nolen
Kathleen F. Nolen
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
3
Table of Contents
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below appoints Kathleen F. Nolen and R. O'Neal Chadwick,
Jr., and each of them, each of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully and for all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 6th day of May, 2005.
Signature
Title
/s/ Michael H. Madison
Michael H. Madison
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Kathleen F. Nolen
Kathleen F. Nolen
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ R. Russell Davis
R. Russell Davis
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Sherian G. Cadoria
Sherian G. Cadoria
Director
/s/ Richard B. Crowell
Richard B. Crowell
Director
/s/ J. Patrick Garrett
J. Patrick Garrett
Director
/s/ F. Ben James, Jr.
F. Ben James, Jr.
Director
/s/ Elton R. King
Elton R. King
Director
/s/ William L. Marks
William L. Marks
Director
/s/ Ray B. Nesbitt
Ray B. Nesbitt
Director
/s/ Robert T. Ratcliff, Sr.
Robert T. Ratcliff, Sr.
Director
/s/ William H. Walker, Jr.
William H. Walker, Jr.
Director
/s/ W. Larry Westbrook
W. Larry Westbrook
Director
4
Table of Contents
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No.
Description
4.1*
—
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (restated effective July 1, 1999) (filed as
Exhibit A to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 30,
1999, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No. 333-71643-01).
4.2*
—
Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the
amount of authorized Common Stock and to effect a two-for-one split of the Common Stock (filed as Exhibit B
to the Proxy Statement filed on March 14, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No.
1-15759).
4.3*
—
Bylaws of the Company (revised effective October 24, 2003) (filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference,
Commission File No. 1-15759).
4.4*
—
Rights Agreement between the Company and EquiServe Trust Company, as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 1 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference,
Commission File No. 1-15759).
10.1*
—
Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (filed as Exhibit A to the Proxy Statement
filed on March 22, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
10.2*
—
Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 1 (effective as of December
12, 2003) (filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
10.3*
—
Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 2 (effective as of July 23,
2004) (filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
10.4*
—
Cleco Corporation 2000 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Amendment Number 3 (filed as Exhibit 10(b) to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated
herein by reference, Commission File No. 1-15759).
5
—
Opinion of R. O'Neal Chadwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company.
23.1
—
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2
—
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3
—
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.4
—
Consent of R. O'Neal Chadwick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company (included in Exhibit 5).
24
—
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).
*
Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.
5