MGE Energy Inc Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 60,928	$ 57,718	$ 50,997
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization	40,942	37,960	41,080
Deferred income taxes	33,698	25,381	17,710
Provision for doubtful receivables	2,312	2,805	3,409
Employee benefit plan expenses	13,703	14,748	7,167
Equity earnings in ATC	(8,615)	(8,501)	(8,173)
Gain on sale of property	(112)	(3,153)	(69)
Other items	1,728	2,254	1,586
Changes in working capital items:
Receivable - margin account (change)	(2,609)	1,159	11,256
Trade and other receivables, net (change)	173	(8,191)	11,188
Inventories (change)	7,438	3,755	9,972
Unbilled revenues (change)	3,466	(41)	5,522
Prepaid taxes (change)	245	7,540	(14,365)
Other current assets (change)	538	(977)	2,407
Accounts payable (change)	2,055	(2,895)	(9,037)
Other current liabilities (change)	(4,300)	(4,195)	(4,304)
Dividend income from ATC	6,728	6,667	6,285
Cash contributions to pension and other postretirement plans	(23,670)	(16,901)	(15,278)
Other noncurrent items, net	(3,876)	8,900	556
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	130,772	124,033	117,909
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(65,176)	(60,082)	(77,929)
Capital contributions to investments	(1,008)	(810)	(3,701)
Repayment to WEPCO for ATC Elm Road Work	0	0	3,300
Purchase of investment - land	(2,152)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property	112	3,358	82
Other	1,873	149	(1,727)
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	(66,351)	(57,385)	(79,975)
Financing Activities:
Issuance of common stock, net	0	0	6,275
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(35,026)	(34,370)	(33,693)
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,500)	(16,527)	0
Issuance of long-term debt	30,000	80,000	0
Decrease in short-term debt	(22,500)	(92,000)	(10,000)
Other	(336)	(1,345)	82
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	(30,362)	(64,242)	(37,336)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents:	34,059	2,406	598
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	7,110	4,704	4,106
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	41,169	7,110	4,704
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	19,788	18,643	16,577
Income taxes paid	5,537	10,373	24,172
Income taxes received	$ (4,370)	$ (9,043)	$ (1)