Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	4 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012 ATC Capital Contribution [Member] Mge Transco [Member]
ATC capital contribution [Abstract]
Subsequent Event, Description			On October 31, 2012, MGE Transco made a voluntary $0.4 million capital contribution to ATC.
Contributions to ATC	$ 1,988	$ 958	$ 400

Describes the event or transaction that occurred between the balance sheet date and the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 855

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6842918&loc=SL6314017-165662

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 165

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration