Investment in ATC and ATC Holdco (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 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				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
(In thousands)		2019		2018		2019		2018
Equity earnings from investment in ATC	$	2,297	$	1,990	$	4,515	$	4,441
Dividends from ATC(a)		1,733		2,959		3,745		2,959
Capital contributions to ATC		1,065		1,065		1,243		1,775

(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 proceeding year. MGE Transco recorded a $1.4 million dividend receivable from ATC as of June 30, 2018. A cash dividend was received in July 2018.ATC's summarized financial data is as follows:

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
(In thousands)		2019		2018		2019		2018
Operating revenues	$	182,212	$	165,506	$	359,927	$	330,935
Operating expenses		(93,573)		(91,474)		(183,960)		(176,367)
Other income, net		287		1,520		547		1,631
Interest expense, net		(28,838)		(26,895)		(57,956)		(54,657)
Earnings before members' income taxes	$	60,088	$	48,657	$	118,558	$	101,542