Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

XCEL ENERGY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS YEARS ENDED DEC. 31, 2016, 2015 AND 2014 (amounts in thousands)
			Additions
	Balance at Jan. 1		Charged to Costs and Expenses		Charged to Other Accounts(a)		Deductions from Reserves(b)		Balance at Dec. 31
Allowance for bad debts:
2016	$	51,888	$	38,960	$	10,570	$	50,595	$	50,823
2015	57,719		36,074		11,784		53,689		51,888
2014	53,107		42,765		14,067		52,220		57,719
NOL and tax credit valuation allowances:
2016	$	27,679	$	3,175	$	34,637	$	7,976	$	57,515
2015	3,402		2,064		24,784		2,571		27,679
2014	3,263		139		—		—		3,402

^(a)  Accrual of valuation allowance for North Dakota ITC, offset to regulatory liability.

^(b)  Reductions to valuation allowances for North Dakota ITC carryforwards primarily due to a consolidated adjustment to the regulatory liability accrual referenced above. Reductions to valuation allowances for NOL carryforwards primarily due to changes in forecasted taxable income.