Rate Matters (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024


	Rate increase	Return on Common Equity	Common Equity Component of Regulatory Capital Structure	Effective Date
Approved 2022/2023 settlement
Gas	0.96%	9.8%	55.6%	1/1/2023
Approved limited 2023 reopener(a)
Electric	9.01%	9.8%	55.6%	1/1/2023
Approved 2024/2025 rate proceeding(b)(c)
Electric	1.54%	9.7%	56.1%	1/1/2024
Gas	2.44%	9.7%	56.1%	1/1/2024
Electric(d)	4.17%	9.7%	56.1%	1/1/2025
Gas	1.32%	9.7%	56.1%	1/1/2025

(a)

The electric rate increase was driven by generation assets including our investments in Badger Hollow II (solar), Paris (solar and battery), Red Barn Wind Farm (wind), and West Riverside (natural gas). In addition, the reopener request included an increase in fuel costs and the recovery of deferred 2021 fuel costs. The reopener also revised the depreciation schedule for Columbia Unit 2 and shared equipment to 2029 to align with the depreciation schedule for Unit 1.

(b)

The electric increase was driven by an increase in rate base including our investments made in West Riverside, local solar, and continued investment in grid modernization, as well as higher costs for transmission, pension and OPEB, and uncollectible costs (including costs previously deferred from prior years). This increase in electric costs is offset by a decrease in fuel costs and benefit from lower tax expense (including impacts from the Inflation Reduction Act). MGE filed an updated 2025 fuel forecast with the PSCW in 2024, which will impact rates in 2025, based on any variance between the forecast submitted as part of the rates and updated forecast. In addition, the PSCW authorized MGE to defer a recovery of and a return on costs associated for any change in the in service date for Paris and Darien and force majeure costs for Badger Hollow II, Paris, and Darien that were not reflected in this rate filing. The PSCW also approved deferral of any differential in PTC tax credits

reflected in rates and actual credits produced. These deferrals will be reflected in MGE's next rate case filing. The gas rate increases were also driven by our investment made in grid modernization and higher pension and OPEB and uncollectible costs (including costs previously deferred from prior years). This increase in gas costs is offset by a tax benefit related to excess deferred taxes. Included in the gas residential rate is a reduction in the customer fixed charge.

(c)

In accordance with the 2024/2025 rate order from the PSCW, MGE will have an earnings sharing mechanism, under which, if MGE earns above the authorized Return on Equity (ROE) in the rate order: (i) the utility will retain 100.0% of earnings for the first 15 basis points above the authorized ROE; (ii) 50.0% of the next 60 basis points will be required to be deferred and returned to ratepayers; and (iii) 100.0% of any remaining excess earnings will be required to be refunded to ratepayers. The earnings calculation excludes fuel rules adjustments. See "Fuel Rules" below.

(d)

MGE filed a 2025 Fuel Cost Plan with the PSCW in June 2024. The plan would lower the 2025 increase in electric rates to 2.47% to reflect lower expected fuel costs. MGE expects a final decision from the PSCW on the Fuel Cost Plan by the end of 2024.

Deferred Fuel Rules

The following table summarizes deferred electric fuel-related costs:


	Fuel Costs (Savings) (in millions)	Refund or Recovery Period
2021	$3.3(a)	January 2023 through December 2023
2022	$8.8(a)	October 2023 through September 2024
2023	($7.2)(a)	October 2024 through December 2024

(a)

There was no change to the refund or recovery in the fuel rules proceedings from the amount MGE deferred.