Rate Matters Rate Matters	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Abstract]
Rate Matters	Rate Matters Except to the extent noted below, the circumstances set forth in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in the NSP-Wisconsin Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017, as amended by the NSP-Wisconsin Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on July 27, 2018, and in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements to NSP-Wisconsin's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of other rate matters, and are incorporated herein by reference. Tax Reform — Regulatory Proceedings In May 2018, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) issued its final order which requires customer refunds of $27 million and defers approximately $5 million until NSP-Wisconsin’s next rate case proceeding. NSP-Wisconsin — Michigan — In May 2018, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved electric and natural gas tax reform settlement agreements. Most of the electric TCJA benefits were included in NSP-Wisconsin’s recently approved Michigan 2018 electric base rate case. Natural gas TCJA benefits are to be returned to customers commencing in July 2018. Recently Concluded Regulatory Proceeding — MPSC Michigan 2018 Electric Gas Rate Case — In November 2017, NSP-Wisconsin filed a request with the MPSC to increase rates for electric service by $1 million, or 7.1 percent. The filing was based on a 2018 forecast test year, a 10.1 percent return on equity (ROE), an equity ratio of 52.5 percent and a forecasted average rate base of approximately $43 million. The primary driver of the requested increase is continuing investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure. The filing also included a request for step increases in 2019 and 2020 related to electric distribution system investments in those years. In addition to the MPSC staff, intervenors in the case include the Michigan Attorney General and the Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff Equity, a voluntary association of large industrial businesses. In March 2018, NSP-Wisconsin reached a settlement in principle with the parties authorizing a 2018 rate increase of approximately $300 thousand, or approximately 2.0 percent, which reflects a portion of the TCJA benefits. The settlement was based on a 9.8 percent ROE and a 52.5 percent equity ratio. In April 2018, the MPSC issued an order approving the settlement agreement, and new rates were implemented on May 1, 2018. Pending Regulatory Proceeding — Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) Return on Equity (ROE) Complaints — In November 2013, a group of customers filed a complaint at the FERC against MISO transmission owners (TOs), including NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin. The complaint argued for a reduction in the ROE in transmission formula rates in the MISO region from 12.38 percent to 9.15 percent, and the removal of ROE adders (including those for Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) membership), effective Nov. 12, 2013. In September 2016, the FERC approved an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) recommendation that MISO TOs be granted a 10.32 percent base ROE using the methodology adopted by FERC in June 2014 (Opinion 531). This ROE would be applicable for the 15-month refund period from Nov. 12, 2013 to Feb. 11, 2015, and prospectively from the date of the FERC order. The total prospective ROE would be 10.82 percent, including a 50 basis point adder for RTO membership. The requests are pending FERC action. In February 2015, a second complaint seeking to reduce the MISO ROE from 12.38 percent to 8.67 percent prior to any RTO adder was filed, resulting in a second period of potential refunds from Feb. 12, 2015 to May 11, 2016. In June 2016, an ALJ recommended a base ROE of 9.7 percent, applying the FERC Opinion 531 methodology. FERC action is pending. In April 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) vacated and remanded Opinion 531. It is unclear how the D.C. Circuit’s opinion to vacate and remand Opinion 531 will affect the September 2016 FERC order or the timing and outcome of the second ROE complaint. NSP-Minnesota has recognized a current refund liability consistent with the best estimate of the final ROE.

Rate Matters

Except to the extent noted below, the circumstances set forth in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in the NSP-Wisconsin Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017, as amended by the NSP-Wisconsin Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on July 27, 2018, and in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements to NSP-Wisconsin's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of other rate matters, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Tax Reform — Regulatory Proceedings

In May 2018, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) issued its final order which requires customer refunds of $27 million and defers approximately $5 million until NSP-Wisconsin’s next rate case proceeding.

NSP-Wisconsin — Michigan — In May 2018, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved electric and natural gas tax reform settlement agreements. Most of the electric TCJA benefits were included in NSP-Wisconsin’s recently approved Michigan 2018 electric base rate case. Natural gas TCJA benefits are to be returned to customers commencing in July 2018.

Recently Concluded Regulatory Proceeding — MPSC

Michigan 2018 Electric Gas Rate Case — In November 2017, NSP-Wisconsin filed a request with the MPSC to increase rates for electric service by $1 million, or 7.1 percent. The filing was based on a 2018 forecast test year, a 10.1 percent return on equity (ROE), an equity ratio of 52.5 percent and a forecasted average rate base of approximately $43 million. The primary driver of the requested increase is continuing investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure. The filing also included a request for step increases in 2019 and 2020 related to electric distribution system investments in those years. In addition to the MPSC staff, intervenors in the case include the Michigan Attorney General and the Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff Equity, a voluntary association of large industrial businesses.

In March 2018, NSP-Wisconsin reached a settlement in principle with the parties authorizing a 2018 rate increase of approximately $300 thousand, or approximately 2.0 percent, which reflects a portion of the TCJA benefits. The settlement was based on a 9.8 percent ROE and a 52.5 percent equity ratio. In April 2018, the MPSC issued an order approving the settlement agreement, and new rates were implemented on May 1, 2018.

Pending Regulatory Proceeding — Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) Return on Equity (ROE) Complaints — In November 2013, a group of customers filed a complaint at the FERC against MISO transmission owners (TOs), including NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin. The complaint argued for a reduction in the ROE in transmission formula rates in the MISO region from 12.38 percent to 9.15 percent, and the removal of ROE adders (including those for Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) membership), effective Nov. 12, 2013.

In September 2016, the FERC approved an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) recommendation that MISO TOs be granted a 10.32 percent base ROE using the methodology adopted by FERC in June 2014 (Opinion 531). This ROE would be applicable for the 15-month refund period from Nov. 12, 2013 to Feb. 11, 2015, and prospectively from the date of the FERC order. The total prospective ROE would be 10.82 percent, including a 50 basis point adder for RTO membership. The requests are pending FERC action.

In February 2015, a second complaint seeking to reduce the MISO ROE from 12.38 percent to 8.67 percent prior to any RTO adder was filed, resulting in a second period of potential refunds from Feb. 12, 2015 to May 11, 2016. In June 2016, an ALJ recommended a base ROE of 9.7 percent, applying the FERC Opinion 531 methodology. FERC action is pending. In April 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) vacated and remanded Opinion 531. It is unclear how the D.C. Circuit’s opinion to vacate and remand Opinion 531 will affect the September 2016 FERC order or the timing and outcome of the second ROE complaint.

NSP-Minnesota has recognized a current refund liability consistent with the best estimate of the final ROE.