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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022

OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________ to ___________________

Commission
File Number
Registrant; State of Incorporation;
Address; and Telephone Number
IRS Employer
Identification No.
001-03016WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION39-0715160
(A Wisconsin Corporation)
2830 South Ashland Avenue
P.O. Box 19001
Green Bay, WI 54307-9001
(800) 450-7260


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

    Yes     No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

    Yes     No




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

    Yes     No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

Common Stock, $4 par value,
23,896,962 shares outstanding at
March 31, 2022

All of the common stock of Wisconsin Public Service Corporation is held by Integrys Holding, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, Inc.


Table of Contents
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Page
   Page 

03/31/2022 Form 10-Q
i
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The abbreviations and terms set forth below are used throughout this report and have the meanings assigned to them below:
Affiliates
IntegrysIntegrys Holding, Inc.
WEWisconsin Electric Power Company
WEC Energy GroupWEC Energy Group, Inc.
Federal and State Regulatory Agencies
CBPUnited States Customs and Border Protection Agency
DOCUnited States Department of Commerce
EPAUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
PSCWPublic Service Commission of Wisconsin
SECUnited States Securities and Exchange Commission
WDNRWisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Accounting Terms
ASUAccounting Standards Update
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
GAAPUnited States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
OPEBOther Postretirement Employee Benefits
Environmental Terms
ACEAffordable Clean Energy
BATWBottom Ash Transport Water
BTABest Technology Available
CAAClean Air Act
CASACClean Air Scientific Advisory Committee
CO2
Carbon Dioxide
ELGSteam Electric Effluent Limitation Guidelines
GHGGreenhouse Gas
NAAQSNational Ambient Air Quality Standards
NOVNotice of Violation
NOxNitrogen Oxide
WOTUSWaters of the United States
WPDESWisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Measurements
DthDekatherm
MWMegawatt
MWhMegawatt-hour
Other Terms and Abbreviations
AD/CVDAntidumping and Countervailing Duties
AMIAdvanced Metering Infrastructure
Badger Hollow IBadger Hollow Solar Park I
COVID-19Coronavirus Disease – 2019
D.C. Circuit Court of AppealsUnited States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
ESG Progress PlanWEC Energy Group's Capital Investment Plan for Efficiency, Sustainability, and Growth for 2022-2026
EVElectric Vehicle
Exchange ActSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Executive Order 13990Executive Order 13990 of January 20, 2021 – Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis
FTRFinancial Transmission Right
ITCInvestment Tax Credit
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LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
MISOMidcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
PTCProduction Tax Credit
RICEReciprocating Internal Combustion Engine
RNGRenewable Natural Gas
Supreme CourtUnited States Supreme Court
Tax LegislationTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
West RiversideWest Riverside Energy Center
WhitewaterWhitewater Cogeneration Facility
WROWithhold Release Order
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

In this report, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goals," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "seeks," "should," "targets," "will," or variations of these terms.

Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, completion of capital projects, sales and customer growth, rate actions and related filings with regulatory authorities, environmental and other regulations, including associated compliance costs, legal proceedings, effective tax rates, pension and OPEB plans, fuel costs, sources of electric energy supply, coal and natural gas deliveries, remediation costs, climate-related matters, the ESG Progress Plan, liquidity and capital resources, and other matters.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include those described in risk factors as set forth in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and those identified below:

Factors affecting utility operations such as catastrophic weather-related damage, environmental incidents, unplanned facility outages and repairs and maintenance, and electric transmission or natural gas pipeline system constraints;

Factors affecting the demand for electricity and natural gas, including political or regulatory developments, varying, adverse, or unusually severe weather conditions, including those caused by climate change, changes in economic conditions, customer growth and declines, commodity prices, energy conservation efforts, and continued adoption of distributed generation by customers;

The timing, resolution, and impact of rate cases and negotiations, including recovery of deferred and current costs and the ability to earn a reasonable return on investment, and other regulatory decisions impacting our regulated operations;

The impact of federal, state, and local legislative and/or regulatory changes, including changes in rate-setting policies or procedures, deregulation and restructuring of the electric and/or natural gas utility industries, transmission or distribution system operation, the approval process for new construction, reliability standards, pipeline integrity and safety standards, allocation of energy assistance, energy efficiency mandates, and tax laws, including those that affect our ability to use PTCs and ITCs;

Federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory changes relating to the environment, including climate change and other environmental regulations impacting generation facilities and renewable energy standards, the enforcement of these laws and regulations, changes in the interpretation of regulations or permit conditions by regulatory agencies, and the recovery of associated remediation and compliance costs;

The ability to obtain and retain customers, including wholesale customers, due to increased competition in our electric and natural gas markets from retail choice and alternative electric suppliers, and continued industry consolidation;

The timely completion of capital projects within budgets and the ability to recover the related costs through rates;

The risk of delays and shortages, and increased costs of equipment, materials, or other resources that are critical to our business operations and corporate strategy, as a result of supply chain disruptions, inflation, and other factors;

The impact of health pandemics, including any new developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, on our business functions, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations;

Factors affecting the implementation of WEC Energy Group's CO2 emission and/or methane emission reduction goals and opportunities and actions related to those goals, including related regulatory decisions, the cost of materials, supplies, and labor, technology advances, the feasibility of competing generation projects, and the ability to execute WEC Energy Group's capital plan;
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The financial and operational feasibility of taking more aggressive action to further reduce GHG emissions in order to limit future global temperature increases;

The risks associated with inflation and changing commodity prices, including natural gas and electricity;

The availability and cost of sources of natural gas and other fossil fuels, purchased power, materials needed to operate environmental controls at our electric generating facilities, or water supply due to high demand, shortages, transportation problems, nonperformance by electric energy or natural gas suppliers under existing power purchase or natural gas supply contracts, or other developments;

Any impacts on the global economy, supply chains and fuel prices, generally, from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine;

Changes in credit ratings, interest rates, and our ability to access the capital markets, caused by volatility in the global credit markets, our capitalization structure, and market perceptions of the utility industry or us;

Changes in the method of determining LIBOR or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate;

Costs and effects of litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, settlements, claims, and inquiries;

The direct or indirect effect on our business resulting from terrorist attacks and cyber security intrusions, as well as the threat of such incidents, including the failure to maintain the security of personally identifiable information, the associated costs to protect our utility assets, technology systems, and personal information, and the costs to notify affected persons to mitigate their information security concerns and to comply with state notification laws;

The risk of financial loss, including increases in bad debt expense, associated with the inability of our customers, counterparties, and affiliates to meet their obligations;

Changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with whom we have contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading markets and fuel suppliers and transporters;

The investment performance of our employee benefit plan assets, as well as unanticipated changes in related actuarial assumptions, which could impact future funding requirements;

Factors affecting the employee workforce, including loss of key personnel, internal restructuring, work stoppages, and collective bargaining agreements and negotiations with union employees;

Advances in technology, and related legislation or regulation supporting the use of that technology, that result in competitive disadvantages and create the potential for impairment of existing assets;

The risk associated with the values of goodwill, other intangible assets, long-lived assets, and equity method investments, and their possible impairment;

Potential business strategies to acquire and dispose of assets, which cannot be assured to be completed timely or within budgets;

The timing and outcome of any audits, disputes, and other proceedings related to taxes;

The effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard-setting bodies; and

Other considerations disclosed elsewhere herein and in other reports we file with the SEC or in other publicly disseminated written documents.

Except as may be required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited)Three Months Ended
March 31
(in millions)20222021
Operating revenues$478.9 $405.3 
Operating expenses
Cost of sales227.5 168.1 
Other operation and maintenance83.7 95.4 
Depreciation and amortization49.7 46.0 
Property and revenue taxes10.9 10.2 
Total operating expenses371.8 319.7 
Operating income107.1 85.6 
Other income, net10.1 8.6 
Interest expense16.6 16.2 
Other expense(6.5)(7.6)
Income before income taxes100.6 78.0 
Income tax expense24.0 8.7 
Net income $76.6 $69.3 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)March 31,December 31,
(in millions, except share and per share amounts)20222021
Assets  
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents$2.0 $2.4 
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net of reserves of $12.1 and $11.1, respectively
230.3 226.6 
Accounts receivable from related parties22.2 26.1 
Materials, supplies, and inventories82.5 112.9 
Derivative assets27.6 22.2 
Prepaid taxes29.6 40.0 
Other11.0 12.3 
Current assets405.2 442.5 
Long-term assets
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,810.7 and $1,808.4, respectively
5,119.7 5,098.6 
Regulatory assets343.7 347.9 
Goodwill36.4 36.4 
Pension and OPEB assets269.3 260.7 
Other50.2 49.6 
Long-term assets5,819.3 5,793.2 
Total assets$6,224.5 $6,235.7 
Liabilities and Equity 
Current liabilities
Short-term debt$135.0 $331.0 
Accounts payable105.0 130.8 
Accounts payable to related parties35.4 42.6 
Accrued interest21.5 10.1 
Other87.6 71.3 
Current liabilities384.5 585.8 
Long-term liabilities
Long-term debt1,690.9 1,690.6 
Deferred income taxes807.0 782.2 
Deferred ITCs74.8 74.8 
Regulatory liabilities732.0 735.5 
Environmental remediation liabilities93.3 95.0 
Other127.2 128.8 
Long-term liabilities3,525.2 3,506.9 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Common shareholder's equity
Common stock – $4 par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 23,896,962 shares issued and outstanding
95.6 95.6 
Additional paid in capital1,616.7 1,491.5 
Retained earnings602.5 555.9 
Common shareholder's equity2,314.8 2,143.0 
Total liabilities and equity$6,224.5 $6,235.7 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)Three Months Ended
March 31
(in millions)20222021
Operating activities  
Net income$76.6 $69.3 
Reconciliation to cash provided by operating activities  
Depreciation and amortization49.7 46.0 
Deferred income taxes and ITCs, net20.6 23.3 
Change in –  
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net(2.4)(3.7)
Materials, supplies, and inventories30.4 16.3 
Prepaid taxes10.4 2.4 
Amounts recoverable from customers (16.8)
Other current assets1.4 4.2 
Accounts payable(30.9)(2.9)
Accrued interest11.4 11.5 
Other current liabilities17.7 (25.8)
Other, net(21.3)(6.8)
Net cash provided by operating activities163.6 117.0 
Investing activities  
Capital expenditures(68.0)(71.2)
Proceeds from cash surrender value of life insurance4.4  
Payments for assets transferred from affiliates (5.1)
Other, net1.0 (0.9)
Net cash used in investing activities(62.6)(77.2)
Financing activities  
Change in short-term debt(196.0)(10.0)
Payment of dividends to parent(30.0)(30.0)
Equity contribution from parent125.0  
Other, net(0.4) 
Net cash used in financing activities(101.4)(40.0)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(0.4)(0.2)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period2.4 2.7 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$2.0 $2.5 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited)
(in millions)Common StockAdditional Paid In CapitalRetained EarningsTotal Common Shareholder's Equity
Balance at December 31, 2021$95.6 $1,491.5 $555.9 $2,143.0 
Net income  76.6 76.6 
Equity contribution from parent 125.0  125.0 
Payment of dividends to parent   (30.0)(30.0)
Stock-based compensation and other 0.2  0.2 
Balance at March 31, 2022$95.6 $1,616.7 $602.5 $2,314.8 

(in millions)Common StockAdditional Paid In CapitalRetained EarningsTotal Common Shareholder's Equity
Balance at December 31, 2020$95.6 $1,436.4 $584.7 $2,116.7 
Net income  69.3 69.3 
Payment of dividends to parent   (30.0)(30.0)
Stock-based compensation and other 0.1  0.1 
Balance at March 31, 2021$95.6 $1,436.5 $624.0 $2,156.1 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
March 31, 2022

NOTE 1—GENERAL INFORMATION

Wisconsin Public Service Corporation serves approximately 458,100 electric customers and 338,800 natural gas customers.

As used in these notes, the term "financial statements" refers to the condensed financial statements. This includes the income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flows, and statements of equity, unless otherwise noted. In this report, when we refer to "the Company," "us," "we," "our," or "ours," we are referring to Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.

Investments in companies not controlled by us, but over which we have significant influence regarding the operating and financial policies of the investee, are accounted for using the equity method.

We have prepared the unaudited interim financial statements presented in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and GAAP. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Financial results for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for the year. In particular, the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022, are not necessarily indicative of expected results for 2022 due to seasonal variations and other factors.

In management's opinion, we have included all adjustments, normal and recurring in nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial results.

NOTE 2—ACQUISITION

In accordance with Topic 805: Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), transactions are evaluated and are accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses, and transaction costs are capitalized in asset acquisitions.

Acquisition of Electric Generation Facility in Wisconsin

In November 2021, we, along with WE, signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire Whitewater, a commercially operational 236.5 MW dual fueled (natural gas and low sulfur fuel oil) combined cycle electrical generation facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin. WE currently purchases all of the capacity from this generation facility pursuant to a power purchase agreement. In December 2021, we, along with WE, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire Whitewater. If approved, our share of the cost of this facility is estimated to be $36.3 million for 50% of the capacity. The transaction is expected to close in January 2023.

NOTE 3—OPERATING REVENUES

For more information about our operating revenues, see Note 1(d), Operating Revenues, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Disaggregation of Operating Revenues

The following tables present our operating revenues disaggregated by revenue source for our utility segment. We do not have any revenues associated with our other segment. We disaggregate revenues into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Revenues are further disaggregated by electric and natural gas operations and then by customer class. Each customer class within our electric and natural gas operations have different expectations of service, energy and demand requirements, and can be impacted differently by regulatory activities within their jurisdictions.
Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
Electric utility$310.7 $271.4 
Natural gas utility166.9 132.3 
Total revenues from contracts with customers477.6 403.7 
Other operating revenues1.3 1.6 
Total operating revenues$478.9 $405.3 

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

Electric Utility Operating Revenues

The following table disaggregates electric utility operating revenues into customer class:
Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021
Residential$117.1 $101.9 
Small commercial and industrial97.3 84.1 
Large commercial and industrial63.3 55.2 
Other2.2 2.1 
Total retail revenues279.9 243.3 
Wholesale21.8 18.9 
Resale5.2 5.9 
Other utility revenues3.8 3.3 
Total electric utility operating revenues$310.7 $271.4 

Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues

The following table disaggregates natural gas utility operating revenues into customer class:
Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021
Residential$102.1 $67.3 
Commercial and industrial62.8 38.7 
Total retail revenues164.9 106.0 
Transportation6.2 5.8 
Other utility revenues (1)
(4.2)20.5 
Total natural gas utility operating revenues$166.9 $132.3 

(1)Includes the revenues subject to our purchased gas recovery mechanism. The amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 reflect the higher natural gas costs that were incurred as a result of the extreme winter weather conditions in February 2021. As these amounts are billed to customers, they are reflected in retail revenues with an offsetting decrease in other utility revenues. In addition, during the first quarter of 2022 we over-collected natural gas costs due to these costs being lower than what was anticipated in rates.

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Other Operating Revenues

Other operating revenues consist primarily of the following:
Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021
Late payment charges$1.1 $1.1 
Alternative revenues (1)
0.2 0.5 
Total other operating revenues$1.3 $1.6 

(1)See Note 1(d), Operating Revenues, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on alternative revenues.

NOTE 4—CREDIT LOSSES

Our exposure to credit losses is related to our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances, which are generated from the sale of electricity and natural gas by our regulated utility operations. Our regulated utility operations are included in our utility segment. No accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances were reported in the other segment at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances considering a combination of factors. For some of our larger customers and also in circumstances where we become aware of a specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific allowance for credit losses against amounts due in order to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For all other customers, we use the accounts receivable aging method to calculate an allowance for credit losses. Using this method, we classify accounts receivable into different aging buckets and calculate a reserve percentage for each aging bucket based upon historical loss rates. The calculated reserve percentages are updated on at least an annual basis, in order to ensure recent macroeconomic, political, and regulatory trends are captured in the calculation, to the extent possible. Risks identified that we do not believe are reflected in the calculated reserve percentages, are assessed on a quarterly basis to determine whether further adjustments are required.

We monitor our ongoing credit exposure through active review of counterparty accounts receivable balances against contract terms and due dates. Our activities include timely account reconciliation, dispute resolution and payment confirmation. To the extent possible, we work with customers with past due balances to negotiate payment plans, but will disconnect customers for non-payment as allowed by the PSCW, if necessary, and employ collection agencies and legal counsel to pursue recovery of defaulted receivables. For our larger customers, detailed credit review procedures may be performed in advance of any sales being made. We sometimes require letters of credit, parental guarantees, prepayments or other forms of credit assurance from our larger customers to mitigate credit risk.

We have included a table below that shows our gross third-party receivable balances and related allowance for credit losses.
(in millions)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues $242.4 $237.7 
Allowance for credit losses12.1 11.1 
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net (1)
$230.3 $226.6 
Total accounts receivable, net – past due greater than 90 days (1)
$9.9 $8.0 
Past due greater than 90 days – collection risk mitigated by regulatory mechanisms (1)
95.8 %97.3 %

(1)Our exposure to credit losses for certain regulated utility customers is mitigated by a regulatory mechanism we have in place. Specifically, our residential tariffs include a mechanism for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. As a result, at March 31, 2022, $113.9 million, or 49.5%, of our net accounts receivable and unbilled revenues balance had regulatory protections in place to mitigate the exposure to credit losses.

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A rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 is included below:
Three Months Ended
(in millions)March 31, 2022March 31, 2021
Balance at January 1$11.1 $18.3 
Provision for credit losses2.0 0.4 
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund1.7 (0.1)
Write-offs charged against the allowance(3.9)(2.1)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off1.2 1.0 
Balance at March 31$12.1 $17.5 

NOTE 5—REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following regulatory assets and liabilities were reflected on our balance sheets at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. For more information on our regulatory assets and liabilities, see Note 6, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(in millions)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Regulatory assets
Environmental remediation costs$119.0 $120.1 
Pension and OPEB costs70.7 74.1 
Income tax related items55.2 54.5 
Plant retirement related items48.1 50.2 
Asset retirement obligations15.7 14.2 
ReACT™14.9 15.6 
Energy efficiency programs7.6 6.1 
Uncollectible expense7.2 5.5 
Other, net5.3 7.6 
Total regulatory assets$343.7 $347.9 

(in millions)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Regulatory liabilities
Income tax related items$347.6 $352.7 
Removal costs 191.7 189.9 
Pension and OPEB benefits116.2 116.5 
Derivatives (1)
36.0 26.9 
Earnings sharing mechanism (2)
20.7 26.7 
Electric transmission costs (2)
15.1 19.7 
Energy costs refundable through rate adjustments (3)
12.6 8.4 
Other, net4.7 3.1 
Total regulatory liabilities$744.6 $743.9 
Balance sheet presentation
Other current liabilities$12.6 $8.4 
Regulatory liabilities732.0 735.5 
Total regulatory liabilities$744.6 $743.9 

(1)    For most energy-related physical and financial contracts that qualify as derivatives, the PSCW allows the effects of fair value accounting to be offset to regulatory assets and liabilities. See Note 12, Derivative Instruments, for more information on our derivative asset and liability balances.

(2)    The decrease in these regulatory liability balances was primarily related to the PSCW's approval of certain accounting treatments that allowed us to forego applying for a 2022 base rate increase, and instead maintain base rates consistent with 2021 levels. Among the accounting treatments approved was the amortization of certain regulatory liability balances in 2022, to offset a portion of our forecasted revenue deficiency. See Note 23, Regulatory Environment, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on our 2022 base rates.

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(3)    The increase in these regulatory liabilities was primarily related to lower natural gas costs incurred in the first quarter of 2022, compared to what was anticipated in rates.

NOTE 6—PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

As a result of a MISO ruling received in June 2021, retirement of the jointly-owned Columbia generating units 1 and 2 became probable. Columbia generating units 1 and 2 are expected to be retired by the end of 2023 and 2024, respectively. The net book value of our ownership share of unit 1 and unit 2 was $87.9 million and $186.2 million, respectively, at March 31, 2022. These amounts were classified as plant to be retired within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheets. These units are included in rate base, and we continue to depreciate them on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW.

NOTE 7—COMMON EQUITY

Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on our ability to transfer funds to the sole holder of our common stock, Integrys, in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. In addition, Wisconsin law prohibits us from making loans to or guaranteeing obligations of WEC Energy Group, Integrys, or their subsidiaries. See Note 11, Common Equity, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on these and other restrictions.

We do not believe that these restrictions will materially affect our operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future.

NOTE 8—SHORT-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT

The following table shows our short-term borrowings and their corresponding weighted-average interest rates:
(in millions, except percentages)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Commercial paper
Amount outstanding$135.0 $331.0 
Weighted-average interest rate on amounts outstanding0.63 %0.21 %

Our average amount of commercial paper borrowings based on daily outstanding balances during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $206.9 million with a weighted-average interest rate during the period of 0.24%.

The information in the table below relates to our revolving credit facility used to support our commercial paper borrowing program, including available capacity under this facility:
(in millions)MaturityMarch 31, 2022
Revolving credit facility (1)
September 2026$400.0 
Less:
Letters of credit issued inside credit facility$1.3 
Commercial paper outstanding135.0 
Available capacity under existing credit facility $263.7 

(1)    In April 2022, we received approval from the PSCW to extend the maturity of this facility to September 2026.

NOTE 9—MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND INVENTORIES

Our inventory consisted of:
(in millions)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Materials and supplies$52.2 $50.5 
Fossil fuel27.5 28.9 
Natural gas in storage2.8 33.5 
Total$82.5 $112.9 

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Substantially all materials and supplies, fossil fuel, and natural gas in storage inventories are recorded using the weighted-average cost method of accounting.

NOTE 10—INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable United States statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes as a result of the following:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
(in millions)AmountEffective Tax RateAmountEffective Tax Rate
Statutory federal income tax$21.1 21.0 %$16.4 21.0 %
State income taxes net of federal tax benefit6.4 6.4 %4.9 6.3 %
Federal excess deferred tax amortization(1.6)(1.6)%(1.6)(2.1)%
Federal excess deferred tax amortization – Wisconsin unprotected(1.2)(1.2)%(10.5)(13.4)%
Other(0.7)(0.7)%(0.5)(0.6)%
Total income tax expense$24.0 23.9 %$8.7 11.2 %

The effective tax rate of 23.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, differs from the United States statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, primarily due to state income taxes. This item was partially offset by the impact of the protected deferred tax benefits associated with the Tax Legislation, as discussed in more detail below.

The effective tax rate of 11.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, differs from the United States statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the recognition of certain unprotected deferred tax benefits created as a result of the Tax Legislation. Effective January 1, 2020, in accordance with the rate order received from the PSCW in December 2019, we began amortizing the unprotected deferred tax benefits over periods ranging from two years to four years, to reduce near-term rate impacts to our customers. This item was partially offset by state income taxes.

The Tax Legislation required us to remeasure the deferred income taxes at our utility segment and we began to amortize the resulting excess protected deferred income taxes beginning in 2018 in accordance with normalization requirements (see federal excess deferred tax amortization line above).

See Note 23, Regulatory Environment, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on unprotected tax benefits.

NOTE 11—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).

Fair value accounting rules provide a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, but are not quoted prices included within Level 1. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using external inputs within models or other valuation methods.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methods that result in management's best estimate of fair value. Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to customers' needs.

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Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We use a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point price between bid and ask prices) as a practical measure for valuing certain derivative assets and liabilities. We primarily use a market approach for recurring fair value measurements and attempt to use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

When possible, we base the valuations of our derivative assets and liabilities on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. These valuations are classified in Level 1. The valuations of certain contracts not classified as Level 1 may be based on quoted market prices received from counterparties and/or observable inputs for similar instruments. Transactions valued using these inputs are classified in Level 2. Certain derivatives are categorized in Level 3 due to the significance of unobservable or internally-developed inputs.

The following tables summarize our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by level within the fair value hierarchy:
March 31, 2022
(in millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Derivative assets    
Natural gas contracts$22.4 $1.3 $ $23.7 
FTRs  0.6 0.6 
Coal contracts 5.8  5.8 
Total derivative assets$22.4 $7.1 $0.6 $30.1 
Derivative liabilities    
Natural gas contracts$ $0.1 $ $0.1 

December 31, 2021
(in millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Derivative assets
Natural gas contracts$6.5 $3.0 $ $9.5 
FTRs  1.4 1.4 
Coal contracts 15.3  15.3 
Total derivative assets$6.5 $18.3 $1.4 $26.2 
Derivative liabilities
Natural gas contracts$1.4 $0.2 $ $1.6 

The derivative assets and liabilities listed in the tables above include options, futures, physical commodity contracts, and other instruments used to manage market risks related to changes in commodity prices. They also include FTRs, which are used to manage electric transmission congestion costs in the MISO Energy and Operating Reserves Markets.

The following table summarizes the changes to derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
 Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021
Balance at the beginning of the period$1.4 $1.2 
Purchases 0.1 
Settlements(0.8)(0.9)
Balance at the end of the period$0.6 $0.4 

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table shows the financial instruments included on our balance sheets that were not recorded at fair value:
 March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
(in millions)Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
Long-term debt (1)
$1,659.0 $1,657.9 $1,659.3 $1,903.2 

(1)The carrying amount of long-term debt excludes finance lease obligations of $31.9 million and $31.3 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

The fair value of our long-term debt is categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

NOTE 12—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We use derivatives as part of our risk management program to manage the risks associated with the price volatility of purchased power, generation, and natural gas costs for the benefit of our customers. Our approach is non-speculative and designed to mitigate risk. Our regulated hedging programs are approved by the PSCW.

We record derivative instruments on our balance sheets as an asset or liability measured at fair value unless they qualify for the normal purchases and sales exception and are so designated. We continually assess our contracts designated as normal and will discontinue the treatment of these contracts as normal if the required criteria are no longer met. Changes in the derivative's fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met or we receive regulatory treatment for the derivative. For most energy-related physical and financial contracts in our regulated operations that qualify as derivatives, the PSCW allows the effects of fair value accounting to be offset to regulatory assets and liabilities.

None of our derivatives are designated as hedging instruments. On our balance sheets, we classify derivative assets and liabilities as current or long-term based on the maturities of the underlying contracts. Derivative assets and liabilities not shown separately on our balance sheets are included in the other current and other long-term line items. The following table shows our derivative assets and derivative liabilities.
 March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
(in millions)Derivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesDerivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
Current
Natural gas contracts$23.0 $0.1 $9.2 $1.5 
FTRs0.6  1.4  
Coal contracts4.0  11.6  
Total current 27.6 0.1 22.2 1.5 
Long-term
Natural gas contracts0.7  0.3 0.1 
Coal contracts1.8  3.7  
Total long-term2.5  4.0 0.1 
Total$30.1 $0.1 $26.2 $1.6 

Realized gains (losses) on derivatives are primarily recorded in cost of sales on the income statements. Our estimated notional sales volumes and realized gains (losses) were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
(in millions)VolumesGainsVolumesGains (Losses)
Natural gas contracts
11.6 Dth
$5.2 
13.6 Dth
$(1.7)
FTRs
2.0 MWh
0.8 
2.7 MWh
0.9 
Total$6.0 $(0.8)

On our balance sheets, the amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against the fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. At both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had posted cash collateral of $6.3 million.
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These amounts were recorded on our balance sheets in other current assets. At March 31, 2022, we had also received cash collateral of $17.5 million. This amount was recorded on our balance sheet in other current liabilities.

The following table shows derivative assets and derivative liabilities if derivative instruments by counterparty were presented net on our balance sheets:
March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
(in millions)Derivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesDerivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
Gross amount recognized on the balance sheet$30.1 $0.1 $26.2 $1.6 
Gross amount not offset on the balance sheet(17.5)
(1)
 (1.4)(1.4)
Net amount$12.6 $0.1 $24.8 $0.2 

(1)    Includes cash collateral received of $17.5 million.

NOTE 13—GUARANTEES

As of March 31, 2022, we had $20.6 million of standby letters of credit issued by financial institutions for the benefit of third parties that have extended credit to us, which automatically renew each year unless proper termination notice is given. These amounts are not reflected on our balance sheets.

NOTE 14—EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The following tables show the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for our benefit plans.
 Pension Benefits
 Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021
Service cost$2.6 $3.0 
Interest cost5.7 5.5 
Expected return on plan assets(13.8)(12.9)
Amortization of net actuarial loss4.4 6.9 
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)$(1.1)$2.5 

 OPEB Benefits
 Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021
Service cost$1.1 $1.2 
Interest cost1.1 1.0 
Expected return on plan assets(5.2)(5.0)
Amortization of prior service credit(2.6)(2.6)
Amortization of net actuarial gain(0.6)(0.5)
Net periodic benefit credit$(6.2)$(5.9)

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we made contributions and payments of $0.2 million related to our pension plans and $0.2 million related to our OPEB plans. We expect to make contributions and payments of $0.5 million related to our pension plans and $0.7 million related to our OPEB plans during the remainder of 2022, dependent upon various factors affecting us, including our liquidity position and possible tax law changes.

NOTE 15—GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. We had no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2022. We had no accumulated impairment losses related to our goodwill as of March 31, 2022.

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NOTE 16—SEGMENT INFORMATION

We use net income to measure segment profitability and to allocate resources to our businesses. At March 31, 2022, we reported two segments, which are described below.

Our utility segment includes our electric and natural gas utility operations, which serve customers in northeastern and central Wisconsin. Our electric utility operations are engaged in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity. Our natural gas utility operations are engaged in the purchase, distribution, and sale of natural gas to retail customers as well as the transportation of customer-owned natural gas.

Our other segment primarily consists of equity earnings from our investment in Wisconsin River Power Company.

All of our operations and assets are located within the United States. The following tables show summarized financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, related to our reportable segments:
(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Operating revenues$478.9 $ $478.9 
Other operation and maintenance83.7  83.7 
Depreciation and amortization49.7  49.7 
Other income, net9.7 0.4 10.1 
Interest expense16.6  16.6 
Income tax expense23.9 0.1 24.0 
Net income76.3 0.3 76.6 

(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Operating revenues$405.3 $ $405.3 
Other operation and maintenance95.4  95.4 
Depreciation and amortization46.0  46.0 
Other income, net8.2 0.4 8.6 
Interest expense16.2  16.2 
Income tax expense8.6 0.1 8.7 
Net income69.0 0.3 69.3 

NOTE 17—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have significant commitments and contingencies arising from our operations, including those related to unconditional purchase obligations, environmental matters, and enforcement and litigation matters.

Unconditional Purchase Obligations

We have obligations to distribute and sell electricity and natural gas to our customers and expect to recover costs related to these obligations in future customer rates. In order to meet these obligations, we routinely enter into long-term purchase and sale commitments for various quantities and lengths of time. Our minimum future commitments related to these purchase obligations as of March 31, 2022, were approximately $1.0 billion.

Environmental Matters

Consistent with other companies in the energy industry, we face significant ongoing environmental compliance and remediation obligations related to current and past operations. Specific environmental issues affecting us include, but are not limited to, current and future regulation of air emissions such as sulfur dioxide, NOx, fine particulates, mercury, and GHGs; water intake and discharges; management of coal combustion products such as fly ash; and remediation of impacted properties, including former manufactured gas plant sites.
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Air Quality

Cross State Air Pollution Rule – Good Neighbor Plan

The EPA is proposing to update and expand the Cross State Air Pollution Rule to regulate NOx emissions in 25 states as part of the “good neighbor provision." As part of the proposed rule, expected to take effect in May 2023, the EPA would establish a new trading budget that would impose lower NOx emissions budgets on states, at a level that the EPA determined to be achievable through existing emissions controls as well as planned plant retirements.

Based on a review of our existing units' 2020 and 2021 actual ozone season emissions and projected future emissions versus proposed NOx ozone season allocations, we anticipate that we should be able to comply with the expanded rule requirements without procuring additional allowances on the open market.

Our planned RICE units in Wisconsin are not subject to this rule as proposed as each unit is expected to be less than 25 MW. We will closely monitor whether the EPA expands coverage of the rule to sources between 15 MW and 25 MW in the final rule.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Ozone

After completing its review of the 2008 ozone standard, the EPA released a final rule in October 2015, creating a more stringent standard than the 2008 NAAQS. The 2015 ozone standard lowered the 8-hour limit for ground-level ozone. In December 2020, the EPA completed its 5-year review of the ozone standard and issued a final decision to retain, without any changes, the existing 2015 standard. Under Executive Order 13990, the Biden Administration ordered that all agencies review existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and similar actions promulgated, issued, or adopted between January 20, 2017 and January 20, 2021. In October 2021, the EPA announced that it will reconsider the December 2020 decision to retain the 2015 ozone standards with no changes and that it is targeting the end of 2023 to complete this reconsideration.

In February 2022, revisions to the Wisconsin Administrative Code to adopt the 2015 standard were finalized. The amended regulations adopted the standards and incorporated by reference the federal air pollution monitoring requirements related to the standard. We believe that we are well positioned to meet the requirements associated with the 2015 ozone standard and do not expect to incur significant costs to comply with the associated state and federal rules.

Particulate Matter

In December 2020, the EPA completed its 5-year review of the 2012 annual and 24-hour standards for fine particulate matter. The EPA determined that no revisions were necessary to the current standard. This determination was also subject to review under Executive Order 13990 and in June 2021, the EPA announced it would reconsider the December 2020 decision. Under the Biden Administration's policy review, the EPA concluded that the scientific evidence and information from the December 2020 determination supports revising the level of the annual standard for the particulate matter NAAQS to below the current level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter, while retaining the 24-hour standard. In March 2022, the EPA’s CASAC sent a letter to the EPA finalizing its peer review of the particulate matter standards. Based on their review, the majority of the members of the CASAC found that lowering the annual standard to within a range of 8 to 10 micrograms per cubic meter was appropriate, while a minority of the members of the committee found that a range of 10 to 11 micrograms per cubic meter would be appropriate. Additionally, a majority of the CASAC members favored lowering the 24-hour standard, while a minority concurred with EPA’s preliminary conclusion to retain the 24-hour standard without revision.

A proposed rule is expected in summer 2022, and a final rule is expected in spring 2023. All counties within our service territory are in attainment with the current 2012 standards. If the EPA lowers the annual standard to 10 or 11 micrograms per cubic meter, our generating facilities within our service territory should remain in attainment. If the EPA lowers it to below 10 micrograms per cubic meter, there could be some non-attainment areas that may affect permitting of some smaller ancillary equipment located at our facilities.

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Climate Change

The ACE rule, which replaced the Clean Power Plan, was vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in January 2021. In October 2021, the Supreme Court agreed to review the D.C. Circuit Court's ruling vacating the EPA's ACE rule. The Supreme Court is reviewing a number of issues regarding the scope of the EPA's regulatory authority to utilize Section 111(d) of the CAA to address CO2 emissions. In February 2022, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments, and a decision is expected this summer.

In January 2021, the EPA finalized a rule to revise the New Source Performance Standards for GHG emissions from new, modified, and reconstructed fossil-fueled power plants; however, it was vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in April 2021. The EPA has signaled that a rule replacement is expected by the end of 2022. WEC Energy Group continues to move forward on the ESG Progress Plan, which is heavily focused on reducing GHG emissions.

The ESG Progress Plan includes the retirement of older, fossil-fueled generation, to be replaced with zero-carbon-emitting renewables and clean natural gas-fueled generation. We have already retired approximately 300 MW of coal-fired generation since the beginning of 2018. Through its ESG Progress Plan, WEC Energy Group expects to retire approximately 1,600 MW of additional fossil-fueled generation by the end of 2025, which includes the planned retirements in 2023-2024 of the jointly-owned Columbia Units 1-2. In May 2021, WEC Energy Group announced goals to achieve reductions in carbon emissions from its electric generation fleet by 60% by the end of 2025 and by 80% by the end of 2030, both from a 2005 baseline. WEC Energy Group expects to achieve these goals by making operating refinements, retiring less efficient generating units, and executing its capital plan. Over the longer term, the target for WEC Energy Group's generation fleet is net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

WEC Energy Group also continues to reduce methane emissions by improving its natural gas distribution system. WEC Energy Group set a target across its natural gas distribution operations to achieve net-zero methane emissions by the end of 2030. WEC Energy Group plans to achieve its net-zero goal through an effort that includes both continuous operational improvements and equipment upgrades, as well as the use of RNG throughout its utility systems.

We are required to report our CO2 equivalent emissions from the electric generating facilities we operate under the EPA Greenhouse Gases Reporting Program. We reported CO2 equivalent emissions of 6.0 million metric tonnes to the EPA for 2021. The level of CO2 and other GHG emissions varies from year to year and is dependent on the level of electric generation and mix of fuel sources, which is determined primarily by demand, the availability of the generating units, the unit cost of fuel consumed, and how our units are dispatched by MISO.

We are also required to report CO2 equivalent emissions related to the natural gas that our natural gas operations distribute and sell. We reported aggregated CO2 equivalent emissions of 3.6 million metric tonnes to the EPA for 2021.

Water Quality

Clean Water Act Cooling Water Intake Structure Rule

In August 2014, the EPA issued a final regulation under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act that requires the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures at existing power plants to reflect the BTA for minimizing adverse environmental impacts. The federal rule became effective in October 2014 and applies to all of our existing generating facilities with cooling water intake structures. In 2016, the WDNR initiated a state rulemaking process to incorporate the federal Section 316(b) requirements into the Wisconsin Administrative Code. This new state rule, NR 111, became effective in June 2020, and the WDNR will apply it when establishing BTA requirements for cooling water intake structures at existing facilities. These BTA requirements are incorporated into WPDES permits for our facilities.

We have received interim BTA determinations for Weston Units 2, 3, and 4. We believe that existing technology installed at the Weston facility will result in a final BTA determination when the WPDES permit is renewed in 2023.

As a result of past capital investments completed to address Section 316(b) compliance, we believe our fleet overall is well positioned to continue to meet this regulation and do not expect to incur significant additional compliance costs.

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Steam Electric Effluent Limitation Guidelines

The EPA's final 2015 ELG rule took effect in January 2016 and was modified in 2020 to revise the treatment technology requirements related to BATW at existing facilities. This rule created new requirements for several types of power plant wastewaters. The new requirement that affects us relates to discharge limits for BATW. Our power plant facility already has advanced wastewater treatment technologies installed that meet many of the discharge limits established by this rule. There will, however, need to be facility modifications to meet water permit requirements for the BATW system at Weston Unit 3, which is expected to be completed by December 2023. Based on engineering cost estimates, we expect that compliance with the ELG rule will require approximately $10 million in capital investment. The BATW modification does not require PSCW approval prior to construction. All of these ELG required projects are either in-service or are on track for completion by the WPDES permit deadline in December 2023.

In July 2021, the EPA announced that it intends to initiate rulemaking to revise the ELG Rule as modified in 2020. The EPA has stated that the ELG Rule will continue to be implemented and enforced while the agency pursues this rulemaking process. The EPA plans to propose a revised rule in the fall of 2022.

Waters of the United States

In December 2021, the EPA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers together released a proposed rule to repeal the April 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule that defined WOTUS. The purpose of this proposed rule will be to restore regulations defining WOTUS that were in place prior to 2015 and to update certain provisions to be consistent with relevant Supreme Court decisions. The pre-2015 approach involves applying factors established through case law and agency precedents to determine whether a wetland or surface drainage feature is subject to federal jurisdiction. In January 2022, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in a case to evaluate the proper test for determining whether wetlands are WOTUS. At this point, our projects requiring federal permits are moving ahead, but we are monitoring to better understand potential future impacts. This case, once decided, should provide clarity regarding the definition of WOTUS. We will continue to monitor this litigation and any subsequent agency action.

Land Quality

Manufactured Gas Plant Remediation

We have identified sites at which we or a predecessor company owned or operated a manufactured gas plant or stored manufactured gas. We have also identified other sites that may have been impacted by historical manufactured gas plant activities. We are responsible for the environmental remediation of these sites, some of which are in the EPA Superfund Alternative Approach Program. We are also working with the state of Wisconsin in our investigation and remediation planning. These sites are at various stages of investigation, monitoring, remediation, and closure.

In addition, we are coordinating the investigation and cleanup of some of these sites subject to the jurisdiction of the EPA under what is called a "multisite" program. This program involves prioritizing the work to be done at the sites, preparation and approval of documents common to all of the sites, and use of a consistent approach in selecting remedies. At this time, we cannot estimate future remediation costs associated with these sites beyond those described below.

The future costs for detailed site investigation, future remediation, and monitoring are dependent upon several variables including, among other things, the extent of remediation, changes in technology, and changes in regulation. Historically, our regulators have allowed us to recover incurred costs, net of insurance recoveries and recoveries from potentially responsible parties, associated with the remediation of manufactured gas plant sites. Accordingly, we have established regulatory assets for costs associated with these sites.

We have established the following regulatory assets and reserves for manufactured gas plant sites:
(in millions)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Regulatory assets$119.0 $120.1 
Reserves for future environmental remediation93.3 95.0 

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Enforcement and Litigation Matters

We are involved in legal and administrative proceedings before various courts and agencies with respect to matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, management believes that appropriate reserves have been established and that final settlement of these actions will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Consent Decrees

Weston and Pulliam Power Plants

In November 2009, the EPA issued an NOV to us, which alleged violations of the CAA's New Source Review requirements relating to certain projects completed at the Weston and Pulliam power plants from 1994 to 2009. We entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA resolving this NOV. This Consent Decree was entered by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in March 2013. With the retirement of Pulliam Units 7 and 8 in October 2018, we completed the mitigation projects required by the Consent Decree and received a completeness letter from the EPA in October 2018. We are working with the EPA on a closeout process for the Consent Decree and expect that process to be completed in 2023.

Joint Ownership Power Plants – Columbia and Edgewater

In December 2009, the EPA issued an NOV to Wisconsin Power and Light Company, the operator of the Columbia and Edgewater plants, and the other joint owners of these plants, including Madison Gas and Electric Company, WE (former co-owner of an Edgewater unit), and us. The NOV alleged violations of the CAA's New Source Review requirements related to certain projects completed at those plants. We, along with Wisconsin Power and Light Company, Madison Gas and Electric Company, and WE, entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA resolving this NOV. This Consent Decree was entered by the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in June 2013. As a result of the continued implementation of the Consent Decree related to the jointly owned Columbia and Edgewater plants, the Edgewater 4 generating unit was retired in September 2018. Wisconsin Power and Light Company expects to start the process to close out this Consent Decree in early 2023.

NOTE 18—SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021
Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized$5.1 $4.3 
Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions:
Accounts payable related to construction costs13.4 11.6 

NOTE 19—REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

2023 and 2024 Rates

In April 2022, we filed a request with the PSCW to increase our retail electric and natural gas rates, effective January 1, 2023. The request reflected the following:
Proposed 2023 rate increase
Electric$73.9  million/6.2%
Gas$30.3  million/8.3%
Proposed ROE (1)
10.0%
Proposed common equity component average on a financial basis (1)
53.0%

(1)    The proposed ROE is consistent with our currently authorized ROE. Our common equity component average is currently 52.5%.

The primary drivers of the requested increase in electric rates are capital investments in new wind, solar, and battery storage; capital investments in natural gas generation; and changes in wholesale business with other utilities. Many of these investments have already been approved by the PSCW.

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The requested increase in natural gas rates primarily relates to capital investments that have been made to maintain and improve safety and reliability.

We also proposed continuing to use an earnings sharing mechanism. Under the proposed earnings sharing mechanism, if we earn above our authorized ROE: (i) we would retain 100.0% of earnings for the first 25 basis points above the authorized ROE; (ii) 50.0% of the next 50 basis points would be required to be refunded to ratepayers; and (iii) 100.0% of any remaining excess earnings would be required to be refunded to ratepayers.

We are seeking a limited rate re-opener for 2024 to address additional revenue requirements associated with generation projects that are expected to be placed into service in 2023 and 2024.

We expect a decision from the PSCW in the fourth quarter of 2022, with any rate adjustments expected to be effective January 1, 2023.

NOTE 20—NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Government Assistance

In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832). The amendments in this update increase the transparency surrounding government assistance by requiring disclosure of: (i) the types of assistance received; (ii) an entity’s accounting for the assistance; and (iii) the effect of the assistance on the entity’s financial statements. The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. We plan to adopt this pronouncement for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2022, and we are currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited financial statements and related notes and our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Introduction

We are an electric and natural gas utility and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. We derive revenues primarily from the distribution and sale of electricity and natural gas to retail customers in Wisconsin. We also provide wholesale electric service to numerous utilities and cooperatives for resale. We conduct our business primarily through our utility reportable segment. See Note 16, Segment Information, for more information on our reportable business segments.

Corporate Strategy

Our goal is to continue to build and sustain long-term value for our customers and WEC Energy Group's shareholders by focusing on the fundamentals of our business: environmental stewardship; reliability; operating efficiency; financial discipline; exceptional customer care; and safety. WEC Energy Group's capital investment plan for efficiency, sustainability and growth, referred to as its ESG Progress Plan, provides a roadmap to achieve this goal. It is an aggressive plan to cut emissions, maintain superior reliability, deliver significant savings for customers, and grow WEC Energy Group's and our investment in the future of energy.

Throughout its strategic planning process, WEC Energy Group takes into account important developments, risks and opportunities, including new technologies, customer preferences and affordability, energy resiliency efforts, and sustainability. WEC Energy Group published the results of a priority sustainability issue assessment in 2020, identifying the issues that are most important to the company and its stakeholders over the short and long terms. This risk and priority assessment has formed WEC Energy Group's direction as a company.

Creating a Sustainable Future

WEC Energy Group's ESG Progress Plan includes the retirement of older, fossil-fueled generation, to be replaced with zero-carbon-emitting renewables and clean natural gas-fired generation at its electric utilities including us. When taken together, the retirements and new investments should better balance supply with demand, while maintaining reliable, affordable energy for our customers. The retirements will contribute to meeting WEC Energy Group's and our goals to reduce CO2 emissions from electric generation.

In May 2021, WEC Energy Group announced goals to achieve reductions in carbon emissions from its electric generation fleet by 60% by the end of 2025 and by 80% by the end of 2030, both from a 2005 baseline. WEC Energy Group expects to achieve these goals by making operating refinements, retiring less efficient generating units and executing its capital plan. Over the longer term, the target for its generation fleet is net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

As part of our path toward these goals, by the end of 2030, WEC Energy Group expects its use of coal will account for less than 5% of the power it supplies to its customers, and WEC Energy Group believes it will be in a position to eliminate coal as an energy source by the end of 2035.

WEC Energy Group already has retired more than 1,800 MWs of coal-fired generation since the beginning of 2018, which included the 2018 retirement of the Pulliam power plant as well as the jointly-owned Edgewater Unit 4 generating units. Through the ESG Progress Plan, WEC Energy Group expects to retire approximately 1,600 MW of additional fossil-fueled generation by the end of 2025, which includes the planned retirement in 2023-2024 of the jointly-owned Columbia Units 1-2.

In addition to retiring these older, fossil-fueled plants, WEC Energy Group expects to invest approximately $3.5 billion from 2022-2026 in regulated renewable energy in Wisconsin. WEC Energy Group's plan is to replace a portion of the retired capacity by building and owning zero-carbon-emitting renewable generation facilities that are anticipated to include the following new investments made by either us or WE based on specific customer needs:

1,400 MW of utility-scale solar (amount does not include WE's Badger Hollow Solar Park II, which is currently under construction);
800 MW of battery storage; and
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100 MW of wind.

WEC Energy Group also plans on investing in a combination of clean, natural gas-fired generation, made by either us or WE based on specific customer needs, including:

100 MW of RICE natural gas-fueled generation;
the planned purchase of 200 MW of capacity in West Riverside — a new, combined-cycle natural gas plant recently completed by Alliant Energy in Wisconsin; and
the planned purchase of Whitewater, a natural gas-fired combined cycle electric generating facility with a capacity of 236.5 MW.

The new investments discussed above are in addition to the renewable projects currently underway. For more details, see Liquidity and Capital Resources – Cash Requirements – Significant Capital Projects.

In addition, we invested in 200 MW of utility-scale solar. We partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct two solar projects now in service in Wisconsin: Two Creeks Solar Park and Badger Hollow I. We own 100 MW of each project for a total of 200 MW.

In August 2021, the PSCW approved pilot programs for us to install and maintain EV charging equipment for customers at their homes or businesses. The programs provide direct benefits to customers by removing cost barriers associated with installing EV equipment. In October 2021, subject to the receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals, WEC Energy Group pledged to expand the EV charging network within its utilities' electric service territories. In doing so, WEC Energy Group joined a coalition of utility companies in a unified effort to make EV charging convenient and widely available throughout the Midwest. The coalition WEC Energy Group joined is planning to help build and grow EV charging corridors, enabling the general public to safely and efficiently charge their vehicles.

WEC Energy Group also continues to reduce methane emissions by improving its natural gas distribution system. WEC Energy Group set a target across its natural gas distribution operations to achieve net-zero methane emissions by the end of 2030. WEC Energy Group plans to achieve its net-zero goal through an effort that includes both continuous operational improvements and equipment upgrades, as well as the use of RNG throughout its utility systems.

As part of WEC Energy Group's effort to look for new opportunities in sustainable energy, it is testing the effects of blending hydrogen, a clean generating fuel, with natural gas at one of its RICE generating units in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. WEC Energy Group is partnering with the Electric Power Research Institute in this research that could help create another viable option for decarbonizing the economy. The project will be carried out in 2022, and the results will be shared across the industry.

Reliability

We have made significant reliability-related investments in recent years, and in accordance with the ESG Progress Plan, expect to continue strengthening and modernizing our generation fleet, as well as our electric and natural gas distribution networks to further improve reliability.

For more details, see Liquidity and Capital Resources – Cash Requirements – Significant Capital Projects.

Operating Efficiency

We continually look for ways to optimize the operating efficiency of our company and will continue to do so under the ESG Progress Plan. For example, we are making progress on our AMI program, replacing aging meter-reading equipment on both our network and customer property. An integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management programs enables two-way communication between us and our customers. This program reduces the manual effort for disconnects and reconnects and enhances outage management capabilities.

WEC Energy Group continues to focus on integrating the resources of its businesses and finding the best and most efficient processes while meeting all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

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Financial Discipline

A strong adherence to financial discipline is essential to meeting our earnings projections and maintaining a strong balance sheet, stable cash flows, and quality credit ratings.

We follow an asset management strategy that focuses on investing in and acquiring assets consistent with our strategic plans, as well as disposing of assets, including property, plants, and equipment, that are no longer strategic to operations, are not performing as intended, or have an unacceptable risk profile. See Note 2, Acquisition, for more information on our acquisition of Whitewater.

Exceptional Customer Care

Our approach is driven by an intense focus on delivering exceptional customer care every day. We strive to provide the best value for our customers by demonstrating personal responsibility for results, leveraging our capabilities and expertise, and using creative solutions to meet or exceed our customers’ expectations.

A multiyear effort is driving a standardized, seamless approach to digital customer service across all of the WEC Energy Group companies. It has moved all utilities, including us, to a common platform for all customer-facing self-service options. Using common systems and processes reduces costs, provides greater flexibility and enhances the consistent delivery of exceptional service to customers.

Safety

Safety is one of our core values and a critical component of our culture. We are committed to keeping our employees and the public safe through a comprehensive corporate safety program that focuses on employee engagement and elimination of at-risk behaviors.

Under our "Target Zero" mission, we have an ultimate goal of zero incidents, accidents, and injuries. Management and union leadership work together to reinforce the Target Zero culture. We set annual goals for safety results as well as measurable leading indicators, in order to raise awareness of at-risk behaviors and situations and guide injury-prevention activities. All employees are encouraged to report unsafe conditions or incidents that could have led to an injury. Injuries and tasks with high levels of risk are assessed, and findings and best practices are shared across the WEC Energy Group companies.

Our corporate safety program provides a forum for addressing employee concerns, training employees and contractors on current safety standards, and recognizing those who demonstrate a safety focus.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022

Earnings

Our earnings for the first quarter of 2022 were $76.6 million, compared with $69.3 million for the same quarter in 2021. See below for additional information on the $7.3 million increase in earnings.

Expected 2022 Annual Effective Tax Rate

We expect our 2022 annual effective tax rate to be between 23% and 24%. Our effective tax rate calculations are revised every quarter based on the best available year-end tax assumptions, adjusted in the following year after returns are filed. Tax accrual estimates are trued-up to the actual amounts claimed on the tax returns and further adjusted after examinations by taxing authorities, as needed.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The discussion below addresses the contribution of our utility segment to net income. The discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as electric margins and natural gas margins, which are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Electric margins (electric revenues less fuel and purchased power costs) and natural gas margins (natural
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gas revenues less cost of natural gas sold) are non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude other operation and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes.

We believe that electric and natural gas margins provide a useful basis for evaluating utility operations since the majority of prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs, as well as prudently incurred natural gas costs, are passed through to customers in current rates. As a result, management uses electric and natural gas margins internally when assessing the operating performance of our utility segment as these measures exclude the majority of revenue fluctuations caused by changes in these expenses. Similarly, the presentation of electric and natural gas margins herein is intended to provide supplemental information for investors regarding our operating performance.

Our electric margins and natural gas margins may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance. Our utility segment operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $107.1 million and $85.6 million, respectively. The discussion below includes a table that provides the calculation of electric margins and natural gas margins, along with a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, operating income.

Utility Segment Contribution to Net Income

The following table compares our utility segment's contribution to net income for the first quarter of 2022, with the same quarter in 2021, including favorable or better, "B", and unfavorable or worse, "W", variances.
Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021B (W)
Electric revenues$311.6 $272.7 $38.9 
Fuel and purchased power106.6 78.6 (28.0)
Total electric margins205.0 194.1 10.9 
Natural gas revenues167.3 132.6 34.7 
Cost of natural gas sold120.9 89.5 (31.4)
Total natural gas margins46.4 43.1 3.3 
Total electric and natural gas margins251.4 237.2 14.2 
Other operation and maintenance83.7 95.4 11.7 
Depreciation and amortization49.7 46.0 (3.7)
Property and revenue taxes10.9 10.2 (0.7)
Operating income107.1 85.6 21.5 
Other income, net9.7 8.2 1.5 
Interest expense16.6 16.2 (0.4)
Income before income taxes100.2 77.6 22.6 
Income tax expense23.9 8.6 (15.3)
Net income$76.3 $69.0 $7.3 

The following table shows a breakdown of other operation and maintenance:
Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021B (W)
Operation and maintenance not included in line items below$45.8 $48.7 $2.9 
Transmission (1)
33.3 38.0 4.7 
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (2)
10.0 8.7 (1.3)
Earnings sharing mechanism (3)
(5.4)— 5.4 
Total other operation and maintenance$83.7 $95.4 $11.7 

(1)Represents transmission expense that we are authorized to collect in rates. The PSCW has approved escrow accounting for American Transmission Company LLC and MISO network transmission expenses. As a result, we defer as a regulatory asset or liability, the difference
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between actual transmission costs and those included in rates until recovery or refund is authorized in a future rate proceeding. During the first quarter of 2022 and 2021, $38.0 million and $38.4 million, respectively, of costs were billed to us by transmission providers.

During the first quarter of 2022 we amortized $4.7 million of the regulatory liabilities associated with our transmission escrow to offset certain 2022 revenue deficiencies, as approved by the PSCW in order to forego filing for a 2022 base rate increase. This amortization drove the decrease in transmission expense in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. See Note 23, Regulatory Environment, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on 2022 base rates.

(2)Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses are substantially offset in margins and therefore do not have a significant impact on net income.

(3)Represents amortization of a certain portion of our regulatory liability associated with our 2020 earnings sharing mechanism to offset certain 2022 revenue deficiencies, as approved by the PSCW in order to forego filing for a 2022 base rate increase. See Note 23, Regulatory Environment, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on 2022 base rates.

The following tables provide information on delivered sales volumes by customer class and weather statistics:
Three Months Ended March 31
MWh (in thousands)
Electric Sales Volumes20222021B (W)
Customer class  
Residential791.3 758.6 32.7 
Small commercial and industrial993.7 968.0 25.7 
Large commercial and industrial970.8 957.5 13.3 
Other7.5 7.6 (0.1)
Total retail2,763.3 2,691.7 71.6 
Wholesale394.5 413.2 (18.7)
Resale 91.5 90.1 1.4 
Total sales in MWh3,249.3 3,195.0 54.3 

Three Months Ended March 31
Therms (in millions)
Natural Gas Sales Volumes20222021B (W)
Customer class  
Residential130.7 115.8 14.9 
Commercial and industrial88.6 75.1 13.5 
Total retail219.3 190.9 28.4 
Transportation152.8 143.8 9.0 
Total sales in therms372.1 334.7 37.4 

Three Months Ended March 31
Degree Days
Weather (1)
20222021B (W)
Heating (3,647 Normal)
3,843 3,482 10.4 %

(1)Normal degree days are based on a 20-year moving average of monthly temperatures from the Green Bay, Wisconsin weather station.

Electric Revenues

Electric revenues increased $38.9 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. To the extent that changes in fuel and purchased power costs are passed through to customers, the changes are offset by comparable changes in revenues. See the discussion of electric utility margins below for more information related to the recovery of fuel and purchased power costs and the remaining drivers of the changes in electric revenues.

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Electric Utility Margins

Electric utility margins increased $10.9 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. The significant factors impacting the higher electric utility margins were:

A $12.5 million increase in margins related to the impact of unprotected excess deferred taxes in the first quarter of 2021, which we agreed to return to customers in our PSCW-approved Wisconsin rate orders. This increase in margins is offset in income taxes.

A $4.5 million net increase in margins related to higher retail sales volumes, driven by the impact of colder winter weather during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. As measured by heating degree days, the first quarter of 2022 was 10.4% colder than the same quarter in 2021.

These increases in margins were partially offset by a $6.6 million quarter-over-quarter negative impact from collections of fuel and purchased power costs compared with costs approved in rates. Under the Wisconsin fuel rules, our margins are impacted by under- or over-collections of certain fuel and purchased power costs that are within a 2% price variance from the costs included in rates, and the remaining variance beyond the 2% price variance is generally deferred for future recovery or refund to customers.

Natural Gas Revenues

Natural gas revenues increased $34.7 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. Because prudently incurred natural gas costs are passed through to our customers in current rates, the changes are offset by comparable changes in revenues. The average per-unit cost of natural gas increased 19.4% during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. The remaining drivers of changes in natural gas revenues are described in the discussion of natural gas utility margins below.

Natural Gas Utility Margins

Natural gas utility margins increased $3.3 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. The most significant factor impacting the higher natural gas utility margins was an increase from higher sales volumes, primarily driven by colder winter weather during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021, as well as the continued economic recovery in Wisconsin from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Operating Expenses (includes other operation and maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes)

Other operating expenses at the utility segment decreased $7.3 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. The significant factors impacting the decrease in operating expenses were:

A $5.4 million decrease in expense driven by the amortization of a certain portion of our regulatory liability associated with our 2020 earnings sharing mechanism, as discussed in the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above.

A $4.7 million decrease in transmission expense driven by the amortization of a certain portion of our regulatory liabilities associated with transmission escrow balances, as discussed in the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above.

A $2.6 million decrease related to a gain on land sales during the first quarter of 2022.

These decreases in other operating expenses were substantially offset by:

A $3.7 million increase in depreciation and amortization, driven by assets being placed into service as we continue to execute on our capital plan.

A $3.2 million increase in electric and natural gas distribution expenses, primarily driven by increased maintenance expense related to significant winter storms in 2022.

A $1.3 million increase in regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses, as discussed in the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above.
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Other Income, Net

Other income, net increased $1.5 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021, driven by higher net credits from the non-service components of our net periodic pension and OPEB costs. See Note 14, Employee Benefits, for more information on our benefit costs. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in allowance for funds used during construction-equity, driven by Badger Hollow I being placed in service in November 2021.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense increased $15.3 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. The increase in income tax expense was due to an approximate $12.5 million negative impact related to lower quarter-over-quarter amortization of the unprotected excess deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation in connection with the Wisconsin rate orders approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. The impact due to the benefit from the amortization of the unprotected excess deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation did not impact earnings as there was an offsetting positive impact in operating income. Also contributing to this increase in income tax expense was an increase in pretax income. See Note 10, Income Taxes, and Note 23, Regulatory Environment, in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on unprotected tax benefits.

Other Segment Contribution to Net Income
Three Months Ended March 31
(in millions)20222021B (W)
Net income$0.3 $0.3 $— 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

We expect to maintain adequate liquidity to meet our cash requirements for the operation of our business and implementation of our corporate strategy through the internal generation of cash from operations and access to the capital markets.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows during the three months ended March 31:
(in millions)20222021Change in 2022 Over 2021
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities$163.6 $117.0 $46.6 
Investing activities(62.6)(77.2)14.6 
Financing activities(101.4)(40.0)(61.4)

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $46.6 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021, driven by:

A $54.6 million increase in cash related to higher overall collections from customers as a result of an increase in retail sales volumes during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. This increase was driven by colder winter weather and the continued economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A $26.5 million increase in cash due to realized gains on derivative instruments as well as higher collateral received from counterparties during the first quarter of 2022, driven by an increase in the fair value of our natural gas derivative assets during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021.

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These increases in net cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by a $37.8 million decrease in cash related to higher payments for fuel and purchased power at our plants during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. We incurred higher natural gas costs during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021, as a result of an increase in the price of natural gas.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $14.6 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021, driven by:

Payments of $5.1 million to affiliates for assets transferred related to a customer billing system during the first quarter of 2021.

Proceeds of $4.4 million received for the cash surrender of life insurance during the first quarter of 2022.

A $3.2 million decrease in cash paid for capital expenditures during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021, which is discussed in more detail below.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:
(in millions)20222021Change in 2022 Over 2021
Capital expenditures$68.0 $71.2 $(3.2)

The decrease in cash paid for capital expenditures during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021, was driven by lower payments for upgrades of automated meter reading devices. This decrease was partially offset by higher payments for capital expenditures related to renewable energy projects during the first quarter of 2022.

See Capital Resources and Requirements – Capital Requirements – Significant Capital Projects for more information.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities increased $61.4 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021, driven by a $186.0 million decrease in cash related to higher net repayments of commercial paper during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. This increase in net cash used in financing activities was partially offset by a $125.0 million equity contribution received from our parent during the first quarter of 2022, to balance our capital structure. We did not receive any equity contributions during the same quarter in 2021.

For more information on our financing activities, see Note 8, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit.

Cash Requirements

We require funds to support and grow our business. Our significant cash requirements primarily consist of capital and investment expenditures, payments to retire and pay interest on long-term debt, the payment of common stock dividends to our parent, and the funding of our ongoing operations. See the discussion below and Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Cash Requirements in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our significant cash requirements.

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Significant Capital Projects

We have several capital projects that will require significant capital expenditures over the next three years and beyond. All projected capital requirements are subject to periodic review and may vary significantly from estimates, depending on a number of factors. These factors include environmental requirements, regulatory restraints and requirements, changes in tax laws and regulations, acquisition and development opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, supply chain disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and interest rates. Our estimated capital expenditures and acquisitions for the next three years are reflected below. These amounts include anticipated expenditures for environmental compliance and certain remediation issues. For a discussion of certain environmental matters affecting us, see Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies.
(in millions)
2022$627.2 
(1)
2023537.3 
2024621.6 
Total$1,786.1 

(1)This includes actual capital expenditures already incurred in 2022, as well as estimated capital expenditures for the remainder of the year.

We continue to upgrade our electric and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability. These upgrades include the AMI program. AMI is an integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management systems that enable two-way communication between utilities and customers.

WEC Energy Group is committed to investing in solar, wind, battery storage, and clean natural gas-fired generation. Below are examples of projects that are proposed or currently underway.

We, along with WE and an unaffiliated utility, received PSCW approval to acquire and construct the Paris Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin and once constructed, we will own 30 MW of solar generation and 17 MW of battery storage of this project. Our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $65 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

We, along with WE, received approval to accelerate capital investments in two wind parks. Our share of the investment is expected to be approximately $69 million to repower major components of Crane Creek Wind Park, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

In March 2021, we, along with WE and an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire and construct the Darien Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Rock and Walworth counties, Wisconsin and once constructed, we will own 37 MW of solar generation and 12 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $65 million with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

We, along with an unaffiliated utility, received PSCW approval to acquire the Red Barn Wind Park, a utility-scale wind-powered electric generating facility. The project will be located in Grant County, Wisconsin and once constructed, we will own 82 MW of this project. Our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $160 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

In April 2021, we, along with WE and an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire the Koshkonong Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Dane County, Wisconsin and once constructed, we will own 45 MW of solar generation and 25 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $97 million, with construction expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024.

We, along with WE, received PSCW approval to construct a natural gas-fired generation facility at our existing Weston power plant site in northern Wisconsin. The new facility will consist of seven RICE units. Once constructed, we will own 64 MW of this project. Our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $85 million, with construction expected to be completed in 2023.

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In November 2021, we, along with WE, signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire Whitewater, a commercially operational 236.5 MW dual fueled (natural gas and low sulfur fuel oil) combined cycle electrical generation facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin. In December 2021, we, along with WE, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire Whitewater. If approved, our share of the cost of this facility is estimated to be $36.3 million for 50% of the capacity, with the transaction expected to close in January 2023.

In January 2022, we, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire a portion of West Riverside's nameplate capacity. We are also requesting approval to assign the option to purchase part of West Riverside to WE. If approved, we or WE would acquire 100 MW of capacity, in the first of two potential option exercises. West Riverside is a new, combined-cycle natural gas plant recently completed by an unaffiliated utility in Rock County, Wisconsin. If approved, and we don't assign the option to WE, our share of the cost of this ownership interest would be approximately $91 million, with the transaction expected to close in the second quarter of 2023.

In March 2022, the DOC opened an investigation into whether new tariffs should be imposed on solar panels and cells imported from multiple southeast Asian countries, which could impact the timing and cost of our planned solar projects. See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Regulatory, Legislative, and Legal Matters – United States Department of Commerce Complaint and Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Regulatory, Legislative, and Legal Matters – Withhold Release Order Related to Silica-Based Products for information on the DOC investigation and potential impacts to our solar projects as a result of CBP actions related to solar panels, respectively.

Long-Term Debt

There were no material changes in our outstanding long-term debt during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Common Stock Dividends

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we paid common stock dividends of $30.0 million to the sole holder of our common stock, Integrys.

Other Significant Cash Requirements

See Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, for information regarding our minimum future commitments related to purchase obligations for the procurement of fuel, power, and gas supply, as well as the related storage and transportation. There were no material changes to our other significant commitments outside the ordinary course of business during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk as a part of our normal course of business, including financial guarantees and letters of credit that support construction projects, commodity contracts, and other payment obligations. We believe that these agreements do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources. See Note 8, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, and Note 13, Guarantees, for more information.

Sources of Cash

Liquidity

We anticipate meeting our short-term and long-term cash requirements to operate our business and implement our corporate strategy through internal generation of cash from operations, equity contributions from our parent, and access to the capital markets, which allows us to obtain external short-term borrowings, including commercial paper, and intermediate or long-term debt securities. Cash generated from operations is primarily driven by sales of electricity and natural gas to our utility customers, reduced by costs of operations. Our access to the capital markets is critical to our overall strategic plan and allows us to supplement cash flows from operations with external borrowings to manage seasonal variations, working capital needs, commodity price fluctuations, unplanned expenses, and unanticipated events.

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We maintain a bank back-up credit facility, which provides liquidity support for our obligations with respect to commercial paper and for general corporate purposes. We review our bank back-up credit facility needs on an ongoing basis and expect to be able to maintain adequate credit facilities to support our operations.

The amount, type, and timing of any financings in 2022, as well as in subsequent years, will be contingent on investment opportunities and our cash requirements and will depend upon prevailing market conditions, regulatory approvals, and other factors. We plan to maintain a capital structure consistent with that approved by the PSCW. For more information on our approved capital structure, see Item 1. Business – D. Regulation in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The issuance of our securities is subject to the approval of the PSCW. Additionally, with respect to the public offering of securities, we file registration statements with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act). The amounts of securities authorized by the PSCW, as well as the securities registered under the 1933 Act, are closely monitored and appropriate filings are made to ensure flexibility in the capital markets.

Although not the case as of March 31, 2022, our current liabilities sometimes exceed our current assets. We do not expect this to have any impact on our liquidity as we currently believe that our cash and cash equivalents, our available capacity of $263.7 million under our existing revolving credit facility, cash generated from ongoing operations, and access to the capital markets are adequate to meet our short-term and long-term cash requirements.

See Note 8, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, for more information about our credit facility and commercial paper.

Investments in Outside Trusts

We maintain investments in outside trusts to fund the obligation to provide pension and certain OPEB benefits to current and future retirees. These trusts had investments consisting of fixed income and equity securities that are subject to the volatility of the stock market and interest rates. For more information, see Investments in Outside Trusts in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Sources of Cash in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Debt Covenants

At March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all covenants related to outstanding short-term and long-term debt. We expect to be in compliance with all such debt covenants for the foreseeable future.

Credit Rating Risk

Cash collateral postings and prepayments made with external parties, including postings related to exchange-traded contracts, and cash collateral posted by external parties were immaterial as of March 31, 2022. From time to time, we may enter into commodity contracts that could require collateral or a termination payment in the event of a credit rating change to below BBB- at S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and/or Baa3 at Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. We also have other commodity contracts that, in the event of a credit rating downgrade, could result in a reduction of our unsecured credit granted by counterparties.

In addition, access to capital markets at a reasonable cost is determined in large part by credit quality. Any credit ratings downgrade could impact our ability to access capital markets.

Subject to other factors affecting the credit markets as a whole, we believe our current ratings should provide a significant degree of flexibility in obtaining funds on competitive terms. However, these security ratings reflect the views of the rating agency only. An explanation of the significance of these ratings may be obtained from the rating agency. Such ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency.

FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following is a discussion of certain factors that may affect our results of operations, liquidity, and capital resources. This discussion should be read together with the information in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which
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provides a more complete discussion of factors affecting us, including market risks and other significant risks, competitive markets, environmental matters, critical accounting policies and estimates, and other matters.

COVID-19 Pandemic

We have taken steps to mitigate the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic could continue to impact our results of operations and liquidity is largely dependent upon the ability of our customers to resume or maintain normal operations. Adverse impacts to us and our subsidiaries from a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic environment could include a decrease in revenues, increased bad debt expense, increases in past due accounts receivable balances, and access to the capital markets at unfavorable terms or rates.

We will continue to monitor COVID-19 pandemic-related developments affecting our workforce, customers, and suppliers and will implement additional actions that we determine to be necessary in order to mitigate any additional impacts. We cannot predict the full extent of the impacts of COVID-19, which will depend on, among other things, its duration through new variants, the rate and the effectiveness of both vaccinations and treatments, future regulatory and governmental actions, and the ability to maintain normal business activity.

Regulatory, Legislative, and Legal Matters

Withhold Release Order Related to Silica-Based Products

The CBP issued a WRO in June 2021, applicable to certain silica-based products originating from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, such as polysilicon, included in the manufacturing of solar panels. The WRO was issued over allegations of widespread, state-backed forced labor in the region. A significant percentage of the world’s polysilicon supply comes from China, and as a result of the WRO, many solar panels imported into the United States are being held by the CBP on suspicion that they originated from, or contain components that originated from, this region in China. Solar panels will only be released after the importer provides satisfactory evidence to the contrary, which can be an arduous process. We cannot currently predict what, if any, impact this supply disruption will have on our future solar projects included in WEC Energy Group's capital plan.

United States Department of Commerce Complaint

In August 2021, a group of anonymous domestic solar manufacturers filed a petition (AD/CVD) with the DOC seeking to impose new tariffs on solar panels and cells imported from several countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The petitioners claimed that Chinese solar manufacturers are shifting products to these countries to avoid the tariffs required on products imported from China. In September 2021, the DOC asked that the anonymous group amend its petition to provide more detail and asked the group to identify its members. In its response to the DOC, the anonymous group refused and argued that identifying its members could expose them to retribution from the Chinese solar industry, which dominates the global solar supply chain for critical solar panel components. In November 2021, the DOC rejected the petition filed by the anonymous group and cited the group's anonymity as a driving factor in the denial.

In February 2022, a California based company filed a petition (AD/CVD) with the DOC seeking to impose new tariffs on solar panels and cells imported from multiple countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. While the petition is similar to the one rejected by DOC in November 2021, there are notable differences. The group added Cambodia to the petition and is requesting that the DOC conduct a country-wide inquiry into each of the four countries. In March 2022, the DOC decided to act on the February petition and investigate the claim. This decision alone is having an adverse impact on the United States solar industry. A DOC decision is expected by January 2023. If the DOC determines that the petition has merit, it would be able to apply any final tariffs retroactively to November 4, 2021. If imposed, the new tariffs are expected to further disrupt the supply of solar modules to the United States, and could impact the cost and timing of our solar projects.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In November 2021, President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides for approximately $1.2 trillion of federal spending over the next five years, including approximately $85 billion for investments in power, utilities, and renewables infrastructure across the United States. We expect funding from this Act will support the work we are doing to reduce GHG emissions, increase EV charging, and strengthen and protect the energy grid. Funding in the Act should also help to expand emerging technologies, like hydrogen and carbon management, as we continue the transition to a clean energy future. We believe
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the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will accelerate investment in projects that will help us meet our net zero emission goals to the benefit of our customers, the communities we serve, and our company.

Environmental Matters

See Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, for a discussion of certain environmental matters affecting us, including rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, land quality, and climate change.

Market Risks and Other Significant Risks

We are exposed to market and other significant risks as a result of the nature of our business and the environment in which we operate. These risks include, but are not limited to, the inflation and supply chain disruptions described below. In addition, there is continuing uncertainty over the impact that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine will have on the global economy, supply chains, and fuel prices. See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Market Risks and Other Significant Risks in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of market and other significant risks applicable to us.

Inflation and Supply Chain Disruptions

We continue to monitor the impact of inflation and supply chain disruptions. We monitor the costs of medical plans, fuel, transmission access, construction costs, regulatory and environmental compliance costs, and other costs in order to minimize inflationary effects in future years, to the extent possible, through pricing strategies, productivity improvements, and cost reductions. We monitor the global supply chain, and related disruptions, in order to ensure we are able to procure the necessary materials and other resources necessary to both maintain our energy services in a safe and reliable manner and to grow our infrastructure in accordance with WEC Energy Group's capital plan. For additional information concerning risks related to inflation and supply chain disruptions, see the two risk factors below that are disclosed in Part I of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Operation of Our Business – Our operations and corporate strategy may be adversely affected by supply chain disruptions and inflation.

Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to Economic and Market Volatility – Fluctuating commodity prices could negatively impact our electric and natural gas utility operations.

For additional information concerning risk factors, including market risks, see the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information at the beginning of this report.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes related to market risk from the disclosures presented in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to the Form 10-K disclosures, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – COVID-19 Pandemic and Market Risks and Other Significant Risks in Item 2 of Part I of this report, as well as Note 11, Fair Value Measurements, Note 12, Derivative Instruments, and Note 13, Guarantees, in this report for information concerning our market risk exposures.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective: (i) in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act; and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or
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submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the first quarter of 2022 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The following should be read in conjunction with Item 3. Legal Proceedings in Part I of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 19, Regulatory Environment, in this report for additional information on material legal proceedings and matters related to us.

In addition to those legal proceedings discussed in Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 19, Regulatory Environment, we are currently, and from time to time, subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of these additional legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Part I of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
NumberExhibit
31Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certifications
32Section 1350 Certifications
101Interactive Data Files
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



 WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
(Registrant)
/s/ WILLIAM J. GUC
Date:May 5, 2022William J. Guc
 Vice President, Controller, and Assistant Corporate Secretary
 (Duly Authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

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