XML 34 R87.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Employee Benefit Plans Net Periodic Costs (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Plan [Member]        
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost        
Service cost $ 10,830us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
$ 13,465us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Interest cost 26,147us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
22,719us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Recognized actuarial loss (107,023)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
54,671us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Settlements 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesSalesAndSettlements
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesSalesAndSettlements
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Net Periodic Costs [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]        
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost        
Service cost 10,830us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
13,465us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
11,488us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Interest cost 26,147us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
22,719us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
23,823us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Expected return on plan assets (29,506)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(32,491)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(29,996)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) 246us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
246us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
246us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Recognized actuarial loss 2,118us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
11,648us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
8,646us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Settlements 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesSalesAndSettlements
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesSalesAndSettlements
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesSalesAndSettlements
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) 9,835us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
15,587us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
14,207us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Net Periodic Costs [Member] | Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]        
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost        
Service cost 465us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
541us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
541us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Interest cost 859us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
877us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,167us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Expected return on plan assets (981)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(1,019)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(1,021)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (1,998)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(1,998)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(1,998)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Recognized actuarial loss 348us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
1,271us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
790us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Settlements 690us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesSalesAndSettlements
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesSalesAndSettlements
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesSalesAndSettlements
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) (617)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(328)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(521)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Net Periodic Costs [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]        
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost        
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)       (246)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Net Periodic Costs [Member] | Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]        
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost        
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)       1,998us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= nwe_NetPeriodicCostsMember
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Pension Costs [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]        
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost        
Accumulated gain       (10,470)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_PensionCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Pension Costs [Member] | Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]        
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost        
Accumulated gain       $ (325)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPensionPlansPostretirementOrSupplementalPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis
= us-gaap_PensionCostsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember