Rate Matters

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

Rate Matters

Rate Matters - MGE Energy and MGE.

a. Rate Proceedings.

On December 23, 2014, the PSCW authorized MGE to increase 2015 rates for retail electric customers by 3.8% or $15.4million and to decrease gas rates by 2.0% or $3.8 million. The increase in retail electric rates cover costs associated with the construction of emission-reduction equipment at Columbia, improvements and reliability of the state's electric transmission system, fuel and purchased power related to coal delivery costs, partially offset by lower cost as a result of market conditions for pension and post-retirement benefit costs. The authorized return on common stock equity is 10.2%.

On July 26, 2013, the PSCW authorized MGE to freeze electric and natural gas rates at 2013 levels for 2014. The order includes authorizing 100% AFUDC on the Columbia scrubber construction project and deferral of increased costs related to ATC and MISO network upgrade fees. As part of the rate freeze plan authorized by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2014, approximately $6.3 million associated with a 2012 fuel rule surplus credit was required to be refunded to customers and was amortized in 2014. The fuel credit accrued interest at MGE's weighted cost of capital. The authorized return on equity remained unchanged at 10.3%.

On December 14, 2012, the PSCW authorized MGE to increase 2013 rates for retail electric customers by 3.8% or $14.9 million and to increase gas rates by 1.0% or $1.6 million. The change in retail electric rates was driven by costs for new environmental equipment at Columbia, final construction costs for the Elm Road Units, transmission reliability enhancements, and purchased power costs. The authorized return on common stock equity remained unchanged at 10.3%.

On December 15, 2011, under a limited reopener of MGE's last rate order, the PSCW authorized MGE to increase 2012 rates for retail electric customers by 4.3% or $15.7 million and to increase gas rates by 0.3% or $0.6 million. The change in retail electric rates was driven by MGE's electric fuel and purchased power costs, increased transmission costs,an update to the Elm Road Units' costs, and an increase for energy efficiency programs. The PSCW also approved deferral of CSAPR costs.

b. Fuel Rules.

Fuel rules require the PSCW and Wisconsin utilities to defer electric fuel-related costs that fall outside a symmetrical cost tolerance band around the amount approved for a utility in its most recent base rate proceedings. Any over/under recovery of the actual costs is determined on an annual basis and will be adjusted in future billings to electric retail customers. The fuel rules bandwidth is currently set at plus or minus 2%. Under fuel rules, MGE would defer costs, less any excess revenues, if its actual electric fuel costs exceeded 102% of the electric fuel costs allowed in its latest rate order. Excess revenues are defined as revenues in the year in question that provide MGE with a greater return on common equity than authorized by the PSCW in MGE's latest rate order. Conversely, MGE is required to defer the benefit of lower costs if actual electric fuel costs were less than 98% of the electric fuel costs allowed in that order.

As of December 31,2014, MGE's fuel costs are within the range authorized by the PSCW in the most recent rate order; therefore, no fuel credits or surcharges were necessary. As part of the rate freeze plan authorized by the PSCW for 2014, $6.3 million associated with the 2012 fuel rule credit was amortized against purchased power expense during the year endedDecember 31,2014. The 2013 fuel rule credit of $6.5 million was returned to customers in October 2014.