CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION (Parenthetical) (USD $)			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 First Mortgage Bonds [Member] Series due Oct. 1, 2018 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 First Mortgage Bonds [Member] Series due Sept. 1, 2038 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 City of La Crosse Resource Recovery Bond [Member] Series due Nov. 1, 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Fort McCoy System Acquisition [Member] Due Oct. 15, 2030 [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Debt instrument, interest rate stated percentage (in hundredths)			5.25%	6.375%	6.00%	7.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date			Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 01, 2038	Nov. 01, 2021	Oct. 15, 2030
Common Stockholder's Equity
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	933,000	933,000