2008-08-13 23:32:02 -

- Fitch Ratings has assigned 'AAA' ratings to $225,000,000 senior fixed rate notes due in 2011, 2012 and 2013 issued by the Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund. The 'AAA' rating denotes the lowest expectations of credit risk.

The proceeds of this offering will be used, in part, to fully redeem the auction rate preferred stock currently outstanding. The redemption of preferred stock is to occur on or after Sept. 2, 2008.

The fund is a non-diversified, closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which commenced investment activities on June 28, 2005. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'KYE'. The fund's investment objective is

to obtain a high total return with an emphasis on current income. The fund's portfolio is invested primarily in securities of companies engaged in the energy industry, including master limited partnerships (MLPs), MLP affiliates, royalty trusts and other energy companies.

The assigned rating is based on the strength of the underlying fund's portfolio that provides coverage of the senior note principal and interest payments as well as the quality and experience of the Fund's investment advisor KA Fund Advisors, LLC. At the time of the rating, the Fund's pro forma senior note coverage ratios were in full compliance with the requirements of the Investment Adviser's Act of 1940 and Fitch's rating criteria.

KA Fund Advisors, LLC is the Fund's investment adviser, responsible for implementing and administering the Fund's investment strategy. It is a subsidiary of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., an SEC-registered investment adviser. As of June 30, 2008, Kayne Anderson and its affiliates managed approximately $9.3 billion, including approximately $4.7 billion in MLPs and other midstream energy companies. Kayne Anderson has invested in MLPs and other midstream energy companies since 1998.

Fitch's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency's public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch's code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the 'Code of Conduct' section of this site.

Fitch Ratings, New York
Viktoria Baklanova, CFA, 212-908-9162
Yuriy Layvand, CPA, 212-908-9191
Sandro Scenga, 212-908-0278 (Media Relations)