CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Long-Term Debt
Unamortized discount	$ (1,748)		$ (1,857)
Total long-term debt	369,369		369,356
Long-term debt, current maturities	1,286		1,502
Long-term debt, noncurrent	368,083		367,854
Common Stockholder's Equity
Common stock - 1,000,000 shares authorized of $100 par value; 933,000 shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	93,300		93,300
Additional paid in capital	187,071		187,071
Retained earnings	241,296		222,897
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(514)		(590)
Total common stockholder's equity	521,153		502,678
First Mortgage Bonds [Member] | Series due Oct. 1, 2018 [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt, gross	150,000		150,000
First Mortgage Bonds [Member] | Series due Sept. 1, 2038 [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt, gross	200,000		200,000
City of La Crosse Resource Recovery Bond [Member] | Series due Nov. 1, 2021 [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt, gross	18,600	[1]	18,600	[1]
Fort McCoy System Acquisition [Member] | Due Oct. 15, 2030 [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt, gross	625		659
Other [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,892		$ 1,954

[1] Resource recovery financing