Equity method investments	3 Months Ended
Equity method investments	Mar. 31, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity method investments	Equity method investments Investments in companies in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method. The Company's equity method investments at March 31, 2012, include ECTE. In August 2006, MDU Brasil acquired ownership interests in the Brazilian Transmission Lines. The electric transmission lines are primarily in northeastern and southern Brazil. The transmission contracts provide for revenues denominated in the Brazilian Real, annual inflation adjustments and change in tax law adjustments. The functional currency for the Brazilian Transmission Lines is the Brazilian Real. In 2009, multiple sales agreements were signed for the Company to sell its ownership interest in the Brazilian Transmission Lines. In November 2010, the Company completed the sale of its entire ownership interest in ENTE and ERTE and 59.96 percent of the Company's ownership interest in ECTE. The remaining interest in ECTE is being purchased over a four-year period. In November 2011, the Company completed the sale of one-fourth of the remaining interest. Alusa, CEMIG and CELESC hold the remaining ownership interests in ECTE. At March 31, 2012 and 2011, and December 31, 2011, the Company's equity method investments had total assets of $105.3 million, $108.2 million and $111.1 million, respectively, and long-term debt of $35.9 million, $46.3 million and $37.1 million, respectively. The Company's investment in its equity method investments was approximately $8.2 million, $11.7 million and $9.2 million, including undistributed earnings of $2.2 million, $2.4 million and $3.7 million, at March 31, 2012 and 2011, and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The entire disclosure for equity investment, or group of investments, for which combined disclosure is appropriate, including: (a) the name of each investee and percentage of ownership of common stock, (b) accounting policies for investments in common stock, (c) difference between the amount at which the investment is carried and the amount of underlying equity in net assets and the accounting treatment of the difference, (d) the total fair value of each identified investment for which a market value is available, (e) summarized information as to assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the investees (for investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, common stock of joint ventures, or other investments using the equity method), and (f) material effects of possible conversions, exercises, or contingent issuances of the investee. Other disclosures include (a) the names of any investee in which the investor owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock and investment is not accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why not, and (b) the names of any investee in which the investor owns less than 20 percent of the voting stock and the investment is accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why it is.

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