Investment in ATC and ATC Holdco (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments Financial Data

MGE Transco and MGEE Transco have accounted for their investments in ATC and ATC Holdco, respectively, under the equity method of accounting. Equity earnings from investments are recorded as "Other income" on the consolidated statements of income of MGE Energy. MGE Transco recorded the following:

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)		2019		2018		2019		2018
Equity earnings from investment in ATC	$	2,364	$	1,672	$	6,879	$	6,113
Dividends from ATC(a)		1,781		1,581		5,526		4,540
Capital contributions to ATC		888		533		2,131		2,308

(a)MGE Transco recorded a $2.3 million dividend receivable from ATC as of December 31, 2017. A cash dividend was received in January of the following year. MGE Transco recorded a $1.6 million dividend receivable from ATC as of September 30, 2018. A cash dividend was received in October 2018.ATC's summarized financial data is as follows:

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands)		2019		2018		2019		2018
Operating revenues	$	184,833	$	170,341	$	544,760	$	501,276
Operating expenses		(94,713)		(87,959)		(278,673)		(264,326)
Other income, net		484		439		1,031		2,070
Interest expense, net		(29,165)		(27,754)		(87,121)		(82,411)
Earnings before members' income taxes	$	61,439	$	55,067	$	179,997	$	156,609