Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

9.       Commitments and Contingencies.

a.       Environmental - MGE Energy and MGE.

Solid waste

Lenz Oil Site

MGE is listed as a potentially responsible party for a site on the EPA's national priorities Superfund list. The Lenz Oil site in Lemont, Illinois, was used for storing and processing waste oil for several years. This site requires cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. The remedy includes a five year $2.2 million implementation plan. The EPA asked all potentially responsible parties to pay upfront for this plan. MGE has paid its share, however, the cleanup process has not begun. We will not know if additional costs exist at the site until cleanup is completed. At June 30, 2011, MGE's portion is less than $0.1 million.Management believes that its share of the final cleanup costs for the Lenz Oil site will not result in any materially adverse effects on MGE's operations, cash flows, or financial position. Insurance may cover a portion of the cleanup costs. Management believes that any cleanup costs not covered by insurance will be recovered in current and future rates.

Proposed Regulation of Coal Combustion Byproducts

       The EPA published a proposed rule on May 4, 2010, that would regulate coal combustion byproducts from the electric generating sector. If adopted, the proposed regulations may require new or additional monitoring of storage sites, may re-classify ash and other coal combustion byproducts, and may regulate ash storage site structural design. MGE is evaluating the impact of these proposed regulations on our operations and cannot estimate the potential costs until the rule is final.

       Water quality

       MGE is subject to water quality regulations issued by the WDNR. These regulations include discharge standards, which require the use of effluent-treatment processes equivalent to categorical "best practicable" or "best available" technologies under compliance schedules established under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The WDNR has published categorical regulations for chemical and thermal discharges from electric-steam generating plants. These regulations limit discharges from MGE's plants into Lake Monona and other Wisconsin waters.

EPA Cooling Water Intake Rules (Section 316(b))

On March 28, 2011, the EPA proposed and asked for public comment on standards to reduce entrainment and impingement of fish and other aquatic life from existing structures designed to take in cooling water for plants such as power plants. This rule is commonly referred to as Phase II of Section 316(b). The proposed rule includes provisions for structures designed to take in as little as two million gallons per day. MGE is currently evaluating how and to what extent this proposed rule affects our generating facilities.

WPDES Thermal Discharge Rule

       WDNR rules to regulate thermal effluent discharges from point sources in Wisconsin became effective on October 1, 2010. As MGE's WPDES permits are issued or renewed, it will need to meet the revised rule requirements. MGE submitted a thermal analysis with its most recent Blount WPDES permit application that showed thermal impacts within the acceptable limits of the rule. MGE obtained positive preliminary feedback in July 2011 from the WDNR regarding the analysis but is waiting for a final determination. If the WNDR does not concur with MGE's analysis, additional studies could be required.

WPDES Phosphorus Nutrient Standards

       The WDNR is in the process of developing water quality standards for phosphorus in streams, rivers, and inland lakes, including effluent limitations for dischargers. Blount and WCCF both currently discharge phosphorus under their WPDES permits, and it is likely both facilities may have phosphorus limitations added to their permits. It is unclear at this time if current phosphorus use at our plants will meet the implementation of future standards. MGE has however identified potential compliance options and believe this can be managed without significant capital investments.

WPDES Mercury Discharge Limit

       WPDES permit holders in certain industries, including coal-fired electric power plants, are required to meet mercury effluent limits. If permit holders do not meet the mercury limits, then they must apply for a variance as part of their next permit renewal with the WDNR. MGE has applied for a mercury variance for Blount as part of its permit renewal, which was submitted in the fall of 2010. In July 2011, MGE received positive preliminary feedback from the WDNR regarding the variance but is waiting for a final determination. If the variance is not approved, MGE may have operational or capital costs associated with meeting the mercury effluent limits when the permit is renewed. We cannot estimate the effect that compliance with developing mercury water quality standards will have on the operation of our generating facilities and our future results of operations, cash flows, and financial position.

       Air quality

       Air quality regulations promulgated by the EPA and the WDNR in accordance with the Federal Clean Air Act and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 impose restrictions on emission of particulates, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other pollutants and require permits for operation of emission sources. These permits have been obtained by MGE and must be renewed periodically.

       Various initiatives, including the EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards, new source performance standards (NSPS) and the Clean Air Visibility Rule (also known as the Regional Haze Rule), as well as state mercury emissions limits, may result in additional operating and capital expenditure costs for electric generating units.

Maximum Achievable Control Technologies (MACT) and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants

On March 16, 2011, the EPA proposed and asked for public comments on pollution control standards to limit mercury, acid gases and other hazardous air pollutants from new and existing electric generating units (EGU) in power plants. This proposed rule is commonly referred to as EGU MACT. The current version of this proposed rule establishes numerical limits for HAPs, work practice methods, and other standards based on several defined subcategories of EGUs. MGE is still evaluating this rule and cannot determine at this time how this rule will affect our current generation fleet.

On March 21, 2011, the EPA finalized its MACT rule for industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) boilers commonly referred to as Boiler MACT. The final rule includes provisions for ICI boilers that burn fossil fuels including coal, oil and natural gas. MGE owns some smaller natural gas and oil-burning boilers that are governed by this rule. MGE is currently evaluating the final rule to determine how it will affect our operations.

EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, Formerly the Proposed Transport Rule (To Replace the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR))

In July 2011, the EPA issued the final CAIR replacement rule, referred to as Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) (formerly known as the “Transport Rule”). CSAPR requires SO2 and NOx emissions reductions from emission sources located in 27 states in the eastern half of the U.S. CSAPR affects fossil-fueled EGUs in Wisconsin with greater than 25 MW of capacity. Existing CAIR compliance requirements remain effective through 2011. Beginning in 2012, CSAPR establishes state emission caps for SO2 and NOx (phase I). These SO2 and NOx emission caps will be lowered further in 2014 (Phase II).

       In addition, since the EPA establishes enforceable state emission caps this limits the amount of emissions trading allowed to meet compliance requirements. The emission allowances used for Acid Rain and CAIR program compliance cannot be used for compliance with CSAPR.

       In July 2011, the EPA also issued a supplemental proposed rule that would expand the scope of the CSAPR ozone season NOx emission reduction program to add six states, including Wisconsin. The EPA currently plans to finalize the supplemental proposed rule by October 2011 in order for the ozone season compliance requirements to take effect beginning in 2012. MGE is evaluating CSAPR and the supplemental proposed rule and will update their environmental compliance plans as needed. We expect that capital investments and/or modifications to meet compliance requirements of the rule will be significant. In addition, MGE currently anticipates that emission control costs for our power plants will increase in 2012 compared to 2011 as a result of CSAPR.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide

The EPA has developed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six compounds currently identified as criteria pollutants: nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM), ozone, SO2, lead and carbon monoxide. The NAAQS for criteria pollutants establish acceptable ambient air levels based on effects to human health and the environment, and changes to those NAAQS can affect compliance requirements and associated capital and operating costs. The EPA is required to review NAAQS every five years. MGE is currently tracking three NAAQS developments; (1) the EPA's January 2010 proposed revisions to its Ozone NAAQS, (2) modeling requirements for the EPA's January 2010 final revisions to NO2 NAAQS, and (3) the WDNR's attainment/nonattainment designations associated with the EPA's June 2010 final revisions to its SO2 NAAQS. These three NAAQS developments have a potential to effect capital and maintenance costs at our generating facilities.

Current Climate Change Regulations

On May 13, 2010, the EPA released its final Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) revisions and its Title V Greenhouse Gas "Tailoring Rule” under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Under these rule revisions, facilities that meet a 25,000 metric ton GHG threshold would need to obtain or modify their Title V air permits during their next permit renewal to include GHGs as permitted air emissions. New or modified facilities meeting additional GHG (and other air emissions) thresholds would need to request a revision to their permit under PSD and apply best available control technologies (BACT) to minimize their releases of GHG emissions. Current technologies for minimizing GHGs are scarce. As these technologies advance, meeting BACT may require substantial capital expenditures and additional permitting requirements may be developed under this section of the CAA.

       Columbia

MGE and two other utilities jointly own Columbia, a coal-fired generating facility, which accounts for 225 MW (27%) of MGE's net generating capability. Based upon current available information, compliance with various environmental requirements and initiatives is expected to result in significant additional operating and capital expenditures at Columbia and may affect those expenditures at other MGE generating facilities.

Certificate of Authority

On March 11, 2011, the PSCW issued a Certificate and Order authorizing the construction of air emission reduction systems and associated equipment on Columbia Units 1 and 2. The operator's current estimates show that MGE's share of the capital expenditures required to comply with this project will be approximately $140 million and are expected to occur over the2011 - 2014 timeframe. According to the current estimate, this project is expected to result in an increase to Columbia's ongoing operating expenses. MGE expects that the costs pertaining to this project will be fully recoverable through rates. The PSCW has permitted MGE to defer pre-certification costs related to compliance with environmental regulations at Columbia. Additionally, MGE is entitled to a carrying cost on the related construction costs at a 100% AFUDC rate. As of June30, 2011, MGE had incurred $1.1 million (excluding carrying costs) in deferred pre-certification and construction expenditures at Columbia related to the proposed project.

Title V Operating Permit Petition

In September 2008, the WDNR issued a Title V renewal operating permit to WPL for Columbia. WPL is the plant operator and permit holder, and owns 46.2% of Columbia. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC) owns a 31.8% interest, and MGE owns a 22% interest in Columbia. A citizen group petitioned the EPA to object to the issuance of the permit renewal. In October 2009, the EPA issued an order granting in part and denying in part the petition and sent the operating permit back to the WDNR for further review based on the EPA order. In September 2010, the WDNR acted on the order by issuing a draft construction permit and a revised operating permit for public comment. In February 2011, the WDNR issued a letter stating its determination not to issue either the proposed construction permit or a revisedoperating permit for Columbia. Thus,MGE believes the permits currently in effect for Columbia remain in place at this time. In February 2011, the citizen group involved filed an action against the EPA in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin seeking to have the EPA take over the permit process. On May 18, 2011, the WDNR issued a public notice as to a revised operating permit. MGE is evaluating this draft permit for potential financial or operational impacts.

Columbia Clean Air Act Litigation

In December 2009, the EPA sent a Notice of Violation (NOV) to MGE as one of the co-owners of Columbia. The NOV alleges that WPL and the Columbia co-owners failed to comply with appropriate pre-construction review and permitting requirements and as a result violated the PSD program requirements, Title V Operating Permit requirements of the CAA and the Wisconsin SIP.

In September 2010, Sierra Club filed a civil lawsuit against WPL alleging violations of the CAA at Columbia and other Wisconsin facilities operated by WPL. The parties have requested a stay of proceedings to explore settlement options. The trial date has been scheduled for April 2012.

In response to similar EPA CAA enforcement initiatives, certain utilities have elected to settle with the EPA, while others have elected to litigate. If the EPA and/or Sierra Club successfully prove their claims that projects completed in the past at Columbia required either state or federal CAA permits, MGE may, under the applicable statutes, be required to pay civil penalties in amounts of up to $37,500 per day for each violation and/or complete actions for injunctive relief. Payment of fines and/or injunctive relief could be included in a settlement outcome. Injunctive relief contained in settlements or court-ordered remedies for other utilities in similar matters required the installation of pollution control technology, changed operating conditions (including use of alternative fuels other than coal), caps for emissions and limitations on generation (including retirement of generating units) and other supplemental environmental projects. Should similar remedies be required for final resolution of these matters at Columbia, MGE would likely incur additional capital and operating expenditures. MGE and the other co-owners of Columbia are exploring settlement options with the EPA and Sierra Club while simultaneously defending against these allegations. WPL has informed MGE that WPL believes the projects at Columbia were routine or not projected to increase emissions and therefore did not violate the permitting requirements of the CAA. At this time, MGE is unable to predict the impact of these claims on its financial condition or results of operations but believes that should there ultimately be an adverse outcome, it could have a significant effect.

b.       Chattel Paper Agreement and Other Guarantees - MGE Energy and MGE.

MGE makes available to qualifying customers a financing program for the purchase and installation of energy-related equipment that will provide more efficient use of utility service at the customer's property. MGE is party to a chattel paper purchase agreement with a financial institution under which it can sell or finance an undivided interest with recourse, in up to $10.0 million of the financing program receivables, until August 31, 2011. At June 30, 2011, MGE has outstanding a $4.1 million interest in these receivables. MGE retains the servicing responsibility for these receivables. As of June 30, 2011, the servicing asset recognized by MGE is $0.2 million.

MGE accounts for servicing rights under the amortization method. Initial determination of the servicing asset fair value is based on the present value of the estimated future cash flows. The discount rate is based on the PSCW authorized weighted cost of capital.

MGE would be required to perform under its guarantee if a customer defaulted on its loan. The energy-related equipment installed at the customer sites is used to secure the customer loans. The loan balances outstanding at June 30, 2011, approximate the fair value of the energy-related equipment acting as collateral. The length of the MGE guarantee to the financial institution varies from one to ten years depending on the term of the underlying customer loan. Principal payments for the remainder of 2011 and the next four years on the loans are:

(In thousands)
2011	$	334
2012		561
2013		605
2014		423
2015		732

c.       Other Legal Matters - MGE Energy and MGE.

MGE is involved in various other legal matters that are being defended and handled in the normal course of business. MGE maintains accruals for such costs that are probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation. MGE has accrued for such matters in the financial statements. The ultimate outcomes of such matters are uncertain and may have an adverse effect on MGE Energy's and MGE's results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

d.       Natural Gas Transportation and Storage Contracts - MGE Energy and MGE.

MGE's natural gas transportation and storage contracts require fixed monthly payments for firm supply pipeline transportation and storage capacity. The pricing components of the fixed monthly payments for the transportation and storage contracts are established by FERC but may be subject to change. As of June 30, 2011, the fixed payments for firm supply pipeline transportation and storage capacity for the remainder of 2011 and the next four years are as follows:

(In thousands)
2011	$	7,803
2012		17,226
2013		17,037
2014		16,843
2015		16,689

MGE also has natural gas supply commitments. These commitments include market-based pricing. Management expects to recover these costs in future customer rates. As of June 30, 2011, total natural gas supply commitments are estimated for the remainder of 2011 and the next four years as follows:

(In thousands)
2011	$	15,590
2012		15,832
2013		0
2014		0
2015		0

e.       Coal Contracts - MGE Energy and MGE.

Fuel procurement for MGE's jointly owned Columbia and Elm Road Units are handled by WPL and WEPCO, respectively, the operating companies. If any minimum purchase obligations must be paid under these contracts, management believes these obligations would be considered costs of service and recoverable in rates. The following table identifies MGE's share, as of June 30, 2011, of the total coal commitments for the Columbia and Elm Road Unitsfor the remainder of 2011 and the next four years.

(In thousands)
2011	$	13,410
2012		29,515
2013		13,340
2014		3,661
2015		0

f.       Smart Grid Investment Grant - MGE Energy and MGE.

MGE has been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the federal stimulus program for a $5.5 million grant for smart grid projects. The DOE grant requires MGE to match the grant funding, bringing the total cost of the proposed projects to more than $11 million. The proposed projects will install technologies to boost efficiency, enhance service and improve reliability for customers. The stimulus grant will help fund the following projects: advanced metering infrastructure, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles support, and distribution management. As of June 30, 2011, MGE has spent $4.4 million related to these projects and has outstanding agreements to purchase $0.7 million in smart grid related products for the remainder of 2011.