MGE Energy Inc Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (MGE Energy [Member], USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
MGE Energy [Member]
Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 51,544	$ 45,721
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization	30,669	28,263
Deferred income taxes	16,854	9,229
Provision for doubtful receivables	1,441	1,785
Employee benefit plan expenses	10,259	9,068
Equity earnings in ATC	(6,434)	(6,374)
Gain on sale of property	(74)	(3,129)
Other items	1,118	1,648
Changes in working capital items:
Decrease in current assets	27,868	27,514
Decrease in current liabilities	(10,547)	(10,639)
Dividend income from ATC	5,012	5,000
Cash contributions to pension and other postretirement plans	(22,484)	(15,333)
Other noncurrent items, net	1,299	4,627
Cash Provided by Operating Activities	106,525	97,380
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(44,859)	(43,236)
Capital contributions to investments	(958)	(583)
Purchase of investment - land	(2,152)	0
Proceeds from sale of property	74	3,334
Other	6	(249)
Cash Used for Investing Activities	(47,889)	(40,734)
Financing Activities:
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(26,183)	(25,700)
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,834)	(1,111)
Issuance of long-term debt	30,000	50,000
Decrease in short-term debt	(22,500)	(66,000)
Other	(336)	(1,008)
Cash Used for Financing Activities	(20,853)	(43,819)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents:	37,783	12,827
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	7,110	4,704
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 44,893	$ 17,531

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Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).