OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Amounts removed from inventory are recorded on an average cost basis.



Inventories	March 31, 2012	December 31, 2011
Millions
Fuel	$31.8	$28.6
Materials and Supplies	40.4	40.5
Total Inventories	$72.2	$69.1



Prepayments and Other Current Assets	March 31, 2012	December 31, 2011
Millions
Deferred Fuel Adjustment Clause	$15.5	$17.5
Other	7.4	9.6
Total Prepayments and Other Current Assets	$22.9	$27.1



Other Current Liabilities	March 31, 2012	December 31, 2011
Millions
Customer Deposits	$21.3	$16.3
Other	20.5	29.3
Total Other Current Liabilities	$41.8	$45.6



Other Non-Current Liabilities	March 31, 2012	December 31, 2011
Millions
Asset Retirement Obligation	$60.2	$57.0
Other	50.9	48.1
Total Other Non-Current Liabilities	$111.1	$105.1

Supplemental Statement of Cash Flows Information.



For the Three Months Ended March 31,	2012	2011
Millions
Cash Paid During the Period for Interest – Net of Amounts Capitalized	$12.3	$10.4
Cash Paid During the Period for Income Taxes	$0.2	$0.2
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
Decrease in Accounts Payable for Capital Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment	$(12.3)	$(14.4)
AFUDC – Equity	$0.8	$0.6

Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable are reported on the consolidated balance sheet net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is based on our evaluation of the receivable portfolio under current conditions, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problems and such other factors that, in our judgment, deserve recognition in estimating losses. In the third quarter of 2011, one of Minnesota Power’s Large Power Customers, NewPage Corporation, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Minnesota Power had a pre-bankruptcy petition receivable of $3.2 million as of March 31, 2012. Based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances existing as of March 31, 2012, we have determined that it is not probable that the pre-petition receivable has been impaired at this time. We will continue to assess for impairment as the bankruptcy proceeds and as facts and circumstances change. This customer’s operations have continued without interruption and we continue to provide electric and steam service to this customer. We have received payment of scheduled post-petition receivable balances and we expect continued payment of all other post-petition receivables.

Subsequent Events. The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the time of the financial statements issuance.

New Accounting Standards.

Fair Value. In May 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on fair value measurement. This update requires disclosure of a sensitivity analysis for fair value measurements within Level 3 and the valuation process used. No retrospective application of this guidance is required. If we utilize Level 3 fair value measurements in the future, this guidance would significantly increase our disclosures in this area. This guidance is effective beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2012, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Statement of Comprehensive Income. In June 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on the presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance is effective beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2012, and modified our presentation of other comprehensive income, moving it from the footnotes to the face of the financial statements in a separate statement of comprehensive income immediately following the Consolidated Statement of Income. The components of net income and other comprehensive income are unchanged and earnings per share continues to be based on net income.