10-Q 1 form10q.htm NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY- WISCONSIN 10-Q 9-30-2012 form10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

or

 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 001-03140

Northern States Power Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin
 
39-0508315
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
1414 West Hamilton Avenue
   
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
 
54701
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(715) 737-2625
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x Yes  o No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 and Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  x Yes  o No

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
     
Non-accelerated filer x
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  o Yes  x No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class
 
Outstanding at Oct. 29, 2012
Common Stock, $100 par value
 
933,000 shares

Northern States Power Company (a Wisconsin corporation) meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instruction H (2) to such Form 10-Q.



 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item l    
3
Item 2   
18
Item 4   
21
     
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1    
21
Item 1A
22
Item 4    
22
Item 5    
22
Item 6    
22
     
23

Certifications Pursuant to Section 302
1
Certifications Pursuant to Section 906
1
Statement Pursuant to Private Litigation
1

This Form 10-Q is filed by Northern States Power Company, a Wisconsin corporation (NSP-Wisconsin).  NSP-Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc.  Xcel Energy Inc. wholly owns the following subsidiaries: Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation (NSP-Minnesota); Southwestern Public Service Company, a New Mexico corporation (SPS); Public Service Company of Colorado, a Colorado corporation (PSCo); and NSP-Wisconsin.  NSP-Minnesota, NSP-Wisconsin, PSCo and SPS are also referred to collectively as utility subsidiaries.  Additional information on Xcel Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, Xcel Energy) is available on various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
 
 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 — ­FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)

   
Three Months Ended Sept. 30
   
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Operating revenues
                       
Electric
  $ 214,426     $ 210,810     $ 575,532     $ 573,870  
Natural gas
    11,742       13,312       68,064       86,675  
Other
    307       346       851       881  
Total operating revenues
    226,475       224,468       644,447       661,426  
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
Electric fuel and purchased power
    111,088       109,877       316,982       315,542  
Cost of natural gas sold and transported
    5,656       7,472       39,658       56,817  
Operating and maintenance expenses
    41,726       41,619       122,718       121,516  
Conservation program expenses
    3,714       3,232       10,836       9,715  
Depreciation and amortization
    17,338       17,311       51,440       50,956  
Taxes (other than income taxes)
    6,218       5,925       18,816       17,836  
Total operating expenses
    185,740       185,436       560,450       572,382  
                                 
Operating income
    40,735       39,032       83,997       89,044  
                                 
Other (expense) income, net
    (85 )     133       375       147  
Allowance for funds used during construction — equity
    (385 )     289       1,379       700  
                                 
Interest charges and financing costs
                               
Interest charges — includes other financing costs of
$375, $452, $1,185 and $1,261, respectively
    5,944       6,017       18,003       18,102  
Allowance for funds used during construction — debt
    (995 )     (40 )     (1,220 )     (117 )
Total interest charges and financing costs
    4,949       5,977       16,783       17,985  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    35,316       33,477       68,968       71,906  
Income taxes
    13,116       13,504       26,148       28,812  
Net income
  $ 22,200     $ 19,973     $ 42,820     $ 43,094  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)

   
Three Months Ended Sept. 30
   
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                         
Net income
  $ 22,200     $ 19,973     $ 42,820     $ 43,094  
                                 
Other comprehensive income
                               
                                 
Derivative instruments:
                               
Reclassification of losses to net income, net of tax of
$12, $13, $37 and $38, respectively
    20       19       58       57  
                                 
Other comprehensive income
    20       19       58       57  
Comprehensive income
  $ 22,220     $ 19,992     $ 42,878     $ 43,151  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)

   
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Operating activities
           
Net income
  $ 42,820     $ 43,094  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    52,291       51,948  
Deferred income taxes
    19,604       29,000  
Amortization of investment tax credits
    (469 )     (460 )
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    (1,379 )     (700 )
Net derivative losses
    95       95  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (11,303 )     1,950  
Accrued unbilled revenues
    9,496       16,108  
Inventories
    3,924       (1,209 )
Other current assets
    6,142       5,697  
Accounts payable
    (7,307 )     (11,844 )
Net regulatory assets and liabilities
    6,150       (3,386 )
Other current liabilities
    9,701       (472 )
Pension and other employee benefit obligations
    (11,002 )     (6,973 )
Change in other noncurrent assets
    (119 )     265  
Change in other noncurrent liabilities
    (500 )     (2,155 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    118,144       120,958  
                 
Investing activities
               
Utility capital/construction expenditures
    (106,553 )     (92,687 )
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    1,379       700  
Other, net
    1,096       (52 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (104,078 )     (92,039 )
                 
Financing activities
               
Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net
    33,000       28,000  
Proceeds from notes payable to affiliate
    50       111,300  
Repayments of notes payable to affiliate
    -       (148,300 )
Repayments of long-term debt
    (48 )     (44 )
Capital contributions from parent
    2,162       -  
Dividends paid to parent
    (49,306 )     (24,840 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (14,142 )     (33,884 )
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (76 )     (4,965 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    1,571       6,445  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 1,495     $ 1,480  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ (16,925 )   $ (17,637 )
Cash received for income taxes, net
    1,971       1,843  
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing transactions:
               
Property, plant and equipment additions in accounts payable
  $ 8,866     $ 1,323  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

   
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Assets
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,495     $ 1,571  
Accounts receivable, net
    49,454       51,838  
Accrued unbilled revenues
    39,172       48,668  
Inventories
    21,779       25,703  
Regulatory assets
    10,698       14,133  
Prepaid taxes
    16,074       21,841  
Deferred income taxes
    8,855       -  
Prepayments and other
    2,660       2,991  
Total current assets
    150,187       166,745  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    1,264,084       1,207,698  
                 
Other assets
               
Regulatory assets
    228,334       229,910  
Other investments
    3,052       4,148  
Other
    2,964       2,970  
Total other assets
    234,350       237,028  
Total assets
  $ 1,648,621     $ 1,611,471  
                 
Liabilities and Equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 1,256     $ 1,286  
Short-term debt
    99,000       66,000  
Notes payable to affiliates
    550       500  
Accounts payable
    24,258       30,897  
Accounts payable to affiliates
    22,056       23,285  
Dividends payable to parent
    8,005       8,107  
Regulatory liabilities
    6,673       16,609  
Environmental liabilities
    31,650       30,699  
Accrued interest
    5,565       6,521  
Taxes accrued
    8,656       1,238  
Derivative instruments
    -       2,514  
Other
    10,917       10,155  
Total current liabilities
    218,586       197,811  
                 
Deferred credits and other liabilities
               
Deferred income taxes
    263,853       234,222  
Deferred investment tax credits
    8,930       8,499  
Regulatory liabilities
    121,976       119,187  
Environmental liabilities
    78,800       79,399  
Customer advances
    15,736       15,765  
Pension and employee benefit obligations
    49,222       60,328  
Other
    6,382       7,024  
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
    544,899       524,424  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Capitalization
               
Long-term debt
    368,147       368,083  
Common stock — 1,000,000 shares authorized of $100 par value; 933,000
shares outstanding at Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, respectively
    93,300       93,300  
Additional paid in capital
    189,233       187,071  
Retained earnings
    234,912       241,296  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (456 )     (514 )
Total common stockholder’s equity
    516,989       521,153  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,648,621     $ 1,611,471  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (UNAUDITED)

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), the financial position of NSP-Wisconsin and its subsidiaries as of Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011; the results of its operations, including the components of net income and comprehensive income, for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012 and 2011; and its cash flows for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012 and 2011.  All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature, except as otherwise disclosed.  Management has also evaluated the impact of events occurring after Sept. 30, 2012 up to the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements.  These statements contain all necessary adjustments and disclosures resulting from that evaluation.  The Dec. 31, 2011 balance sheet information has been derived from the audited 2011 consolidated financial statements included in the NSP-Wisconsin Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011.  These notes to the consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP on an annual basis have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in the NSP-Wisconsin Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, filed with the SEC on Feb. 27, 2012.  Due to the seasonality of NSP-Wisconsin’s electric and natural gas sales, interim results are not necessarily an appropriate base from which to project annual results.

1.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies set forth in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the NSP-Wisconsin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of accounting policies and are incorporated herein by reference.

2.
Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

Fair Value Measurement — In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) — Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04), which provides clarifications regarding existing fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements, and also specific new guidance for items such as measurement of instruments classified within stockholders’ equity.  These requirements were effective for interim and annual periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2011.  NSP-Wisconsin implemented the accounting and disclosure guidance effective Jan. 1, 2012, and the implementation did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.  For required fair value measurement disclosures, see Note 8.

Comprehensive Income — In June 2011, the FASB issued Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) — Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU No. 2011-05), which requires the presentation of the components of net income, the components of other comprehensive income (OCI) and total comprehensive income in either a single continuous financial statement of comprehensive income or in two separate, but consecutive financial statements of net income and comprehensive income.  These updates do not affect the items reported in OCI or the guidance for reclassifying such items to net income.  These requirements were effective for interim and annual periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2011.  NSP-Wisconsin implemented the financial statement presentation guidance effective Jan. 1, 2012.
 
Recently Issued

Balance Sheet Offsetting — In December 2011, the FASB issued Balance Sheet (Topic 210) — Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASU No. 2011-11), which requires disclosures regarding netting arrangements in agreements underlying derivatives, certain financial instruments and related collateral amounts, and the extent to which an entity’s financial statement presentation policies related to netting arrangements impact amounts recorded to the financial statements.  These disclosure requirements do not affect the presentation of amounts in the consolidated balance sheets, and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods.  NSP-Wisconsin does not expect the implementation of this disclosure guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 
3.
Selected Balance Sheet Data

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Sept. 30, 2012
 
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Accounts receivable, net (a)
           
Accounts receivable
  $ 53,444     $ 56,604  
Less allowance for bad debts
    (3,990 )     (4,766 )
    $ 49,454     $ 51,838  

(a)
Accounts receivable, net includes $256 due from affiliates as of Sept. 30, 2012.

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Inventories
           
Materials and supplies
  $ 6,369     $ 5,838  
Fuel
    6,960       9,335  
Natural gas
    8,450       10,530  
    $ 21,779     $ 25,703  

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
           
Electric plant
  $ 1,744,066     $ 1,684,537  
Natural gas plant
    219,630       213,665  
Common and other property
    110,494       113,597  
Construction work in progress
    74,910       54,627  
Total property, plant and equipment
    2,149,100       2,066,426  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (885,016 )     (858,728 )
    $ 1,264,084     $ 1,207,698  

4.
Income Taxes

Except to the extent noted below, the circumstances set forth in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included in NSP-Wisconsin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of other income tax matters, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Federal AuditNSP-Wisconsin is a member of the Xcel Energy affiliated group that files a consolidated federal income tax return. The statute of limitations applicable to Xcel Energy’s 2008 federal income tax return expired in September 2012.  The statute of limitations applicable to Xcel Energy’s 2009 federal income tax return expires in September 2013.  In the third quarter of 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of tax years 2010 and 2011.
 
State AuditsNSP-Wisconsin is a member of the Xcel Energy affiliated group that files consolidated state income tax returns. As of Sept. 30, 2012, NSP-Wisconsin’s earliest open tax year that is subject to examination by state taxing authorities under applicable statutes of limitations is 2008.  As of Sept. 30, 2012, there were no state income tax audits in progress.
 
Unrecognized Tax Benefits The unrecognized tax benefit balance includes permanent tax positions, which if recognized would affect the annual effective tax rate (ETR).  In addition, the unrecognized tax benefit balance includes temporary tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.  A change in the period of deductibility would not affect the ETR but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.

A reconciliation of the amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)
 
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Unrecognized tax benefit — Permanent tax positions
  $ 0.1     $ -  
Unrecognized tax benefit — Temporary tax positions
    1.2       1.5  
Total unrecognized tax benefit
  $ 1.3     $ 1.5  
 
 
The unrecognized tax benefit balance was reduced by the tax benefits associated with net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards.  The amounts of tax benefits associated with NOL carryforwards are as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)
 
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
NOL carryforwards
  $ (0.9 )   $ (1.1 )

It is reasonably possible that NSP-Wisconsin’s amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next 12 months as the IRS audit progresses and state audits resume.  At this time, due to the uncertain nature of the audit process, an overall range of possible change cannot be reasonably estimated.

The payable for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is largely offset by the interest benefit associated with NOL carryforwards.  The payables for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits at Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011 were not material.  No amounts were accrued for penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as of Sept. 30, 2012 or Dec. 31, 2011.
 
5. 
Rate Matters
 
Except to the extent noted below, the circumstances set forth in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements included in NSP-Wisconsin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of other rate matters, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Pending Regulatory Proceedings Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW)

2012 Electric and Gas Rate Case In June 2012, NSP-Wisconsin filed a request with the PSCW to increase rates for electric and natural gas service effective Jan. 1, 2013.  NSP-Wisconsin requested an overall increase in annual electric rates of $39.1 million, or 6.7 percent, and an increase in natural gas rates of $5.3 million, or 4.9 percent.

The electric rate filing was based on a 2013 forecast test year, a return on equity (ROE) of 10.40 percent, an equity ratio of 52.50 percent and an average 2013 electric rate base of approximately $788.6 million.  The natural gas rate request was solely due to a proposal to recover the initial costs associated with the environmental cleanup of the Ashland/Northern States Power Lakefront Superfund Site (the Ashland site) in Ashland, Wis.

On Oct. 19, 2012, the PSCW Staff and intervenors filed their direct testimony.  The PSCW Staff recommended an electric rate increase of $32.9 million, or 5.6 percent, based on a 10.40 percent ROE and a 52.50 percent equity ratio.  The major adjustments recommended by the PSCW Staff were a $2.2 million reduction in employee compensation expense primarily related to disallowance of the annual incentive program, and a net $2.9 million reduction in electric fuel expense and fixed production charges.  The PSCW Staff testimony acknowledged the unique issues before the PSCW related to the Ashland site cleanup and presented several alternatives for consideration by the PSCW.

Rebuttal testimony is expected to be filed on Oct. 31, 2012, and the hearing is expected to be held on Nov. 7, 2012.  A PSCW decision is anticipated in December 2012.

6.
Commitments and Contingencies

Except as noted below and in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q the circumstances set forth in Notes 9 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements in NSP-Wisconsin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of commitments and contingent liabilities and are incorporated herein by reference.  The following include commitments, contingencies and unresolved contingencies that are material to NSP-Wisconsin’s financial position.

Guarantees — NSP-Wisconsin provides a guarantee for payment of customer loans related to NSP-Wisconsin’s farm rewiring program.  NSP-Wisconsin’s exposure under the guarantee is based upon the net liability under the agreement.  The guarantee issued by NSP-Wisconsin limits the exposure of NSP-Wisconsin to a maximum amount stated in the guarantee.  The guarantee contains no recourse provisions and requires no collateral.
 
 
The following table presents the guarantee issued and outstanding for NSP-Wisconsin:

(Millions of Dollars)
 
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Guarantee issued and outstanding
  $ 1.0     $ 1.0  
Current exposure under the guarantee
    0.4       0.5  

Environmental Contingencies

MGP Sites

Ashland MGP Site — NSP-Wisconsin has been named a potentially responsible party (PRP) for contamination at a site in Ashland, Wis.  The Ashland site includes property owned by NSP-Wisconsin, which was a site previously operated by a predecessor company as a MGP facility (the Upper Bluff), and two other properties: an adjacent city lakeshore park area (Kreher Park), on which an unaffiliated third party previously operated a sawmill and conducted creosote treating operations; and an area of Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay adjoining the park (the Sediments).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its Record of Decision (ROD) in September 2010, which documents the remedy that the EPA has selected for the cleanup of the Ashland site.  In April 2011, the EPA issued special notice letters identifying several entities, including NSP-Wisconsin, as PRPs, for future remediation at the site.  The special notice letters requested that those PRPs participate in negotiations with the EPA regarding how the PRPs intended to conduct or pay for the remediation.  As a result of those settlement negotiations, the EPA agreed to segment the Ashland site into separate areas.  The first area (Phase I Project Area) includes soil and groundwater in Kreher Park and the Upper Bluff.  The second area includes the Sediments.

In October 2012, a settlement among the EPA, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), the Bad River and Red Cliff Bands of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians and NSP-Wisconsin was approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.  This settlement resolves claims against NSP-Wisconsin for its alleged responsibility for the remediation of the Phase I Project Area.  Under the terms of the settlement, NSP-Wisconsin agreed to perform the remediation of the Phase I Project Area, but does not admit any liability with respect to the Ashland site.  The settlement reflects a cost estimate for the clean up of the Phase I Project Area of $40 million.  The settlement also resolves claims by the federal, state and tribal trustees against NSP-Wisconsin for alleged natural resource damages at the Ashland site, including both the Phase I Project Area and the Sediments.  As part of the settlement, NSP-Wisconsin will convey approximately 1,390 acres of land to the State of Wisconsin and tribes so that they may manage and preserve the natural resource benefits associated with those properties.  Assuming final access agreements are obtained, fieldwork at the Ashland site will commence as early as November 2012.

Negotiations between the EPA and NSP-Wisconsin regarding who will pay or perform the cleanup of the Sediments are ongoing.  The EPA’s ROD for the Ashland site estimates that the cost of the preferred remediation related to the Sediments is between $63.3 million and $77.1 million, with a potential deviation in such estimated costs of up to 50 percent higher to 30 percent lower.

In August 2012, NSP-Wisconsin also filed litigation against other PRPs for their share of the cleanup costs for the Ashland site.  Answers to the NSP-Wisconsin complaint were due from other parties on Oct. 22, 2012.  The U.S. District Court has not yet issued a scheduling order for litigation.

At each of Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, NSP-Wisconsin had recorded a liability of $104.3 million for the Ashland site based upon potential remediation and design costs together with estimated outside legal and consultant costs; of which $26.6 million was considered a current liability.  NSP-Wisconsin’s potential liability, the actual cost of remediation and the time frame over which the amounts may be paid are subject to change until after negotiations or litigation with the EPA and other PRPs are fully resolved.  NSP-Wisconsin also continues to work to identify and access state and federal funds to apply to the ultimate remediation cost of the entire site.  Unresolved issues or factors that could result in higher or lower NSP-Wisconsin remediation costs for the Ashland site include, but are not limited to, the cleanup approach implemented for the Sediments, which party implements the cleanup, the timing of when the cleanup is implemented, the contributions, if any, by other PRPs and whether federal or state funding may be directed to help offset remediation costs at the Ashland site.
 
 
NSP-Wisconsin has deferred, as a regulatory asset, the estimated site remediation costs less insurance and rate recoveries, based on an expectation that the PSCW will continue to allow NSP-Wisconsin to recover payments for environmental remediation from its customers.  The PSCW has consistently authorized in NSP-Wisconsin rates recovery of all remediation costs incurred at the Ashland site, and has authorized recovery of MGP remediation costs by other Wisconsin utilities.  External MGP remediation costs are subject to deferral in the Wisconsin retail jurisdiction and are reviewed for prudence as part of the Wisconsin retail rate case process.  Under an existing PSCW policy with respect to recovery of remediation costs for MGPs, utilities have recovered remediation costs in natural gas rates, amortized over a four- to six-year period.  The PSCW has not allowed utilities to recover their carrying costs on unamortized regulatory assets for MGP remediation.  In a recent rate case decision, the PSCW recognized the potential magnitude of the future liability for, and circumstances of, the cleanup at the Ashland site and indicated it may consider alternatives to its established MGP site cleanup cost accounting and cost recovery guidelines for the Ashland site in a future proceeding.  Pursuant to the PSCW decision, NSP-Wisconsin proposed an alternative long-term plan to recover costs related to the Ashland site in the rate case application filed on June 1, 2012.  As compared to the current cost recovery policy, NSP-Wisconsin’s alternative proposal mitigates the rate impact to natural gas customers and allows for partial recovery of carrying costs.  NSP-Wisconsin expects a decision on the alternative cost recovery plan by the end of 2012.

Other MGP Sites NSP-Wisconsin is currently involved in investigating and/or remediating several other MGP sites where hazardous or other regulated materials may have been deposited.  NSP-Wisconsin has identified three sites where former MGP activities have or may have resulted in actual site contamination and are under current investigation and/or remediation.  At some or all of these MGP sites, there are other parties that may have responsibility for some portion of any remediation that may be conducted.  NSP-Wisconsin anticipates that the majority of the remediation at these sites will continue through at least 2014.  For these sites, NSP-Wisconsin had accrued $3.6 million and $3.3 million at Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, respectively.  There may be insurance recovery and/or recovery from other PRPs that will offset any costs actually incurred at these sites.  NSP-Wisconsin anticipates that any amounts actually spent will be fully recovered from customers.

Environmental Requirements

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) New Source Performance Standard Proposal (NSPS) and Emission Guideline for Existing Sources — In April 2012, the EPA proposed a GHG NSPS for newly constructed power plants.  The proposal requires that carbon dioxide (CO2) emission rates be equal to those achieved by a natural gas combined-cycle plant, even if the plant is coal-fired.  The EPA also proposed that NSPS not apply to modified or reconstructed existing power plants and that installation of control equipment on existing plants would not constitute a “modification” to those plants under the NSPS program.  Xcel Energy submitted comments on the proposed GHG NSPS in June 2012.  It is not possible to evaluate the impact of this regulation until its final requirements are known.

The EPA also plans to propose GHG regulations applicable to emissions from existing power plants under the Clean Air Act (CAA).  It is not known when the EPA will propose new standards for existing sources.

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) In July 2011, the EPA issued the CSAPR intended to address long range transport of particulate matter (PM) and ozone by requiring reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) from utilities located in the eastern half of the United States, including Wisconsin.  The CSAPR would have set more stringent requirements than the proposed Clean Air Transport Rule.  The rule also would have created an emissions trading program.

In August 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) vacated the CSAPR and remanded it back to the EPA.  The D.C. Circuit also stated that the EPA must continue administering the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) pending adoption of a valid replacement.  In October 2012, the EPA, as well as state and local governments and environmental advocates, petitioned the D.C. Circuit to rehear the CSAPR appeal.  It is not yet known whether the court will grant rehearing of the case, or how the EPA might approach a replacement rule.  Therefore, it is not known what requirements may be imposed in the future.

If the EPA continues administering the CAIR while the CSAPR is pending, NSP-Wisconsin expects to comply with the CAIR primarily through the purchase of emissions allowances.  Based on current CAIR allowance prices, the cost of CAIR compliance is not expected to have a material impact on results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Electric Generating Unit (EGU) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule — The final EGU MATS rule became effective April 2012.  The EGU MATS rule sets emission limits for acid gases, mercury and other hazardous air pollutants and requires coal-fired utility facilities greater than 25 megawatts to demonstrate compliance within three to four years of the effective date.  NSP-Wisconsin expects to comply with the EGU MATS rule through a combination of mercury and other emission control projects.  NSP-Wisconsin believes these costs will be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms and does not expect a material impact on results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
 
Revisions to National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM — In June 2012, the EPA proposed to lower the primary (health-based) NAAQS for annual average fine PM and to retain the current daily standard for fine PM.  In areas in which NSP-Wisconsin operates power plants, current monitored air concentrations are below the range of the proposed annual primary standard.  The EPA also proposed to add a secondary (welfare-based) NAAQS to improve visibility, primarily in urban areas.  NSP-Wisconsin expects the proposed visibility standard would likely be met where NSP-Wisconsin operates power plants based on currently available information.  A final rule is expected in December 2012 and the EPA is expected to designate non-compliant locations by December 2014.  If such areas are identified, states would then study the sources of the nonattainment and make emission reduction plans to attain the standards.  It is not possible to evaluate the impact of this regulation further until its final requirements are known.

Legal Contingencies

NSP-Wisconsin is involved in various litigation matters that are being defended and handled in the ordinary course of business.  The assessment of whether a loss is probable or a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events.  Management maintains accruals for such losses that are probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation.  Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of a reasonably possible loss, in certain situations, including but not limited to where (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories.  In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss.  For current proceedings not specifically reported herein, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liabilities, if any, arising from such current proceedings would have a material effect on NSP-Wisconsin’s financial statements.

Environmental Litigation

Native Village of Kivalina vs. Xcel Energy Inc. et al. — In February 2008, the City and Native Village of Kivalina, Alaska, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Xcel Energy Inc., the parent company of NSP-Wisconsin, and 23 other utility, oil, gas and coal companies.  Plaintiffs claim that defendants’ emission of CO2 and other GHGs contribute to global warming, which is harming their village.  Xcel Energy Inc. believes the claims asserted in this lawsuit are without merit and joined with other utility defendants in filing a motion to dismiss in June 2008.  In October 2009, the U.S. District Court dismissed the lawsuit on constitutional grounds.  In November 2009, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit).  In October 2012 the Ninth Circuit affirmed the U.S. District Court’s dismissal.  On Oct.14, 2012, plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing en banc.  It is uncertain when the Ninth Circuit will respond to this petition.  The amount of damages claimed by plaintiffs is unknown, but likely includes the cost of relocating the village of Kivalina.  Plaintiffs’ alleged relocation is estimated to cost between $95 million to $400 million.  Although Xcel Energy Inc. believes the likelihood of loss is remote based primarily on existing case law, it is not possible to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible loss in the event of an adverse outcome of this matter.  No accrual has been recorded for this matter.

Comer vs. Xcel Energy Inc. et al. — In May 2011, less than a year after their initial lawsuit was dismissed, plaintiffs in this purported class action lawsuit filed a second lawsuit against more than 85 utility, oil, chemical and coal companies in the U.S. District Court in Mississippi.  The complaint alleges defendants’ CO2 emissions intensified the strength of Hurricane Katrina and increased the damage plaintiffs purportedly sustained to their property.  Plaintiffs base their claims on public and private nuisance, trespass and negligence.  Among the defendants named in the complaint are Xcel Energy Inc. and NSP-Wisconsin.  The amount of damages claimed by plaintiffs is unknown.  The defendants, including Xcel Energy Inc., believe this lawsuit is without merit and filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.  In March 2012, the U.S. District Court granted this motion for dismissal.  In April 2012, plaintiffs appealed this decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  Although Xcel Energy Inc. believes the likelihood of loss is remote based primarily on existing case law, it is not possible to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible loss in the event of an adverse outcome of this matter.  No accrual has been recorded for this matter.
 
 
7.
Borrowings and Other Financing Instruments

Commercial Paper — NSP-Wisconsin meets its short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of commercial paper and borrowings under its credit facility.  The following table presents commercial paper outstanding for NSP-Wisconsin:

(Amounts in Millions, Except Interest Rates)
 
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Twelve Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Borrowing limit
 
$
150
   
$
150
 
Amount outstanding at period end
   
99
     
66
 
Average amount outstanding
   
88
     
24
 
Maximum amount outstanding
   
116
     
70
 
Weighted average interest rate, computed on a daily basis
   
0.38
%
 
 
0.37
%
Weighted average interest rate at period end
   
0.38
     
0.46
 

Letters of Credit — NSP-Wisconsin may use letters of credit, generally with terms of one-year, to provide financial guarantees for certain operating obligations.  At Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, there were no letters of credit outstanding.

Credit Facility — In order to use its commercial paper program to fulfill short-term funding needs, NSP-Wisconsin must have a revolving credit facility in place at least equal to the amount of its commercial paper borrowing limit and cannot issue commercial paper in an aggregate amount exceeding available capacity under this credit facility.  The line of credit provides short-term financing in the form of notes payable to banks, letters of credit and back-up support for commercial paper borrowings.

At Sept. 30, 2012, NSP-Wisconsin had the following committed credit facility available (in millions of dollars):
 
Credit Facility
   
Drawn (a)
   
Available
 
$ 150.0     $ 99.0     $ 51.0  

(a)
Includes outstanding commercial paper.

All credit facility bank borrowings, outstanding letters of credit and outstanding commercial paper reduce the available capacity under the credit facility.  NSP-Wisconsin had no direct advances on the credit facility outstanding at Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011.

Amended Credit Agreement — In July 2012, NSP-Wisconsin entered into an amended five-year credit agreement with a syndicate of banks, replacing the previous four-year credit agreement.  The amended credit agreement has substantially the same terms and conditions as the prior credit agreement with an improvement in pricing and an extension of maturity from March 2015 to July 2017.  The Eurodollar borrowing margin on the line of credit was reduced from a range of 100 to 200 basis points per year, to a range of 87.5 to 175 basis points per year based on applicable long-term credit ratings.  The commitment fees, calculated on the unused portion of the line of credit, were reduced from a range of 10 to 35 basis points per year, to a range of 7.5 to 27.5 basis points per year, also based on applicable long-term credit ratings.

NSP-Wisconsin has the right to request an extension of the revolving termination date for an additional one-year period, subject to majority bank group approval.

Other Short-Term Borrowings The following table presents the notes payable of Clearwater Investments, Inc., a NSP-Wisconsin subsidiary, to Xcel Energy Inc.:

(Amounts in Millions, Except Interest Rates)
 
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Notes payable to affiliates
 
$
0.6
   
$
0.5
 
Weighted average interest rate
   
0.33
%
 
 
0.46
%
 
 
8.
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures provides a single definition of fair value and requires certain disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value.  A hierarchical framework for disclosing the observability of the inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value is established by this guidance. The three levels in the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.  The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 1 are highly liquid and actively traded instruments with quoted prices.

Level 2 — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, but are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.  The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are typically either comparable to actively traded securities or contracts or priced with discounted cash flow or option pricing models using highly observable inputs.

Level 3 — Significant inputs to pricing have little or no observability as of the reporting date.  The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 are those valued with models requiring significant management judgment or estimation.

Specific valuation methods include the following:

Cash equivalents — The fair values of cash equivalents are generally based on cost plus accrued interest; money market funds are measured using quoted net asset values.

Interest rate derivatives The fair values of interest rate derivatives are based on broker quotes that utilize current market interest rate forecasts.

Commodity derivatives The methods used to measure the fair value of commodity derivative forwards and options utilize forward prices and volatilities, as well as pricing adjustments for specific delivery locations, and are generally assigned a Level 2.  When contractual settlements extend to periods beyond those readily observable on active exchanges or quoted by brokers, the significance of the use of less observable forecasts of long-term forward prices and volatilities on a valuation is evaluated, and may result in Level 3 classification.

NSP-Wisconsin continuously monitors the creditworthiness of the counterparties to its interest rate and commodity derivative contracts prior to settlement, and assesses each counterparty’s ability to perform on the transactions set forth in the contracts.  Given this assessment, as well as an assessment of the impact of NSP-Wisconsin’s own credit risk when determining the fair value of derivative liabilities, the impact of considering credit risk was immaterial to the fair value of commodity derivatives presented in the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Instruments Fair Value Measurements

NSP-Wisconsin enters into derivative instruments, including forward contracts, futures, swaps and options, to reduce risk in connection with changes in interest rates and utility commodity prices.

Interest Rate Derivatives — NSP-Wisconsin enters into various instruments that effectively fix the interest payments on certain floating rate debt obligations or effectively fix the yield or price on a specified benchmark interest rate for an anticipated debt issuance for a specific period.  These derivative instruments are generally designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.

At Sept. 30, 2012, accumulated other comprehensive loss related to interest rate derivatives included $0.1 million of net losses expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months as the related hedged interest rate transactions impact earnings.  There were immaterial pre-tax losses related to interest rate derivatives reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings during the three months ended Sept. 30, 2012 and 2011 and $0.1 million of net pre-tax losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012 and 2011.
 
 
Financial Impact of Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges — The impact of qualifying interest rate cash flow hedges on NSP-Wisconsin’s accumulated other comprehensive loss, included as a component of common stockholder’s equity and in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, is detailed in the following table:
 
    Three Months Ended Sept. 30  
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at July 1
  $ (476 )   $ (552 )
After-tax net realized losses on derivative transactions reclassified into earnings
    20       19  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at Sept. 30
  $ (456 )   $ (533 )
 
 
    Nine Months Ended Sept. 30  
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2012
 
2011
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at Jan. 1
  $ (514 )   $ (590 )
After-tax net realized losses on derivative transactions reclassified into earnings
    58       57  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at Sept. 30
  $ (456 )   $ (533 )

Commodity Derivatives — NSP-Wisconsin may enter into derivative instruments to manage variability of future cash flows from changes in commodity prices in its electric and natural gas operations, including the sale of natural gas or the purchase of natural gas for resale.  At Sept. 30, 2012, NSP-Wisconsin held an immaterial amount of commodity derivatives.

The following table details the gross notional amounts of commodity forwards and options at Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011:

(Amounts in Thousands) (a)(b)
 
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
MMBtu of natural gas
    328       1,393  

(a)
Amounts are not reflective of net positions in the underlying commodities.
(b)
Notional amounts for options are included on a gross basis, but are weighted for the probability of exercise.

During the three months ended Sept. 30, 2012, changes in the fair value of natural gas commodity derivatives resulted in an immaterial amount of net gains recognized as regulatory assets and liabilities.  During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012, changes in the fair value of natural gas commodity derivatives resulted in net losses of $0.4 million recognized as regulatory assets and liabilities.  During the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2011, changes in the fair value of natural gas commodity derivatives resulted in net losses of $1.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively, recognized as regulatory assets and liabilities. The classification as a regulatory asset or liability is based on commission approved regulatory recovery mechanisms.

Natural gas commodity derivatives settlement losses of $2.9 million and $2.0 million were recognized during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and were subject to purchased natural gas cost recovery mechanisms, which result in reclassifications of derivative settlement gains and losses out of income to a regulatory asset or liability, as appropriate.  There were no material settlement gains or losses on commodity derivatives for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2012 and 2011.

NSP-Wisconsin had no derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges during the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012 and 2011.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents, for each of the hierarchy levels, NSP-Wisconsin’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
   
Fair Value
       
                     
Fair Value
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Current derivative liabilities
                       
Natural gas commodity
  $ 418     $ 2,096     $ -     $ 2,514  
 
 
Fair Value of Long-Term Debt

As of Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, other financial instruments for which the carrying amount did not equal fair value were as follows:

   
Sept. 30, 2012
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
   
Carrying
         
Carrying
       
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
Long-term debt, including current portion
  $ 369,403     $ 483,430     $ 369,369     $ 474,356  

The fair value of NSP-Wisconsin’s long-term debt is estimated based on recent trades and observable spreads from benchmark interest rates for similar securities.  The fair value estimates are based on information available to management as of Sept. 30, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2011, and given the observability of the inputs to these estimates, the fair values presented for long-term debt have been assigned a Level 2.  These fair value estimates have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since those dates and current estimates of fair values may differ significantly.

9.
Other (Expense) Income, net

Other (expense) income, net consisted of the following:
 
   
Three Months Ended Sept. 30
   
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Interest income
  $ 18     $ 88     $ 650     $ 254  
Other nonoperating income
    18       45       57       56  
Insurance policy (expense) income
    (121 )     3       (332 )     (155 )
Other nonoperating expense
    -       (3 )     -       (8 )
Other (expense) income, net
  $ (85 )   $ 133     $ 375     $ 147  

10.
Segment Information

Operating results from the regulated electric utility and regulated natural gas utility are each separately and regularly reviewed by NSP-Wisconsin’s chief operating decision maker.  NSP-Wisconsin evaluates performance based on profit or loss generated from the product or service provided.  These segments are managed separately because the revenue streams are dependent upon regulated rate recovery, which is separately determined for each reportable segment.

NSP-Wisconsin has the following reportable segments: regulated electric utility, regulated natural gas utility and all other.

 
·
NSP-Wisconsin’s regulated electric utility segment generates electricity which is transmitted and distributed in Wisconsin and Michigan.  In addition, this segment includes sales for resale and provides wholesale transmission service to various entities primarily in Wisconsin.
 
·
NSP-Wisconsin’s regulated natural gas utility segment purchases, transports, stores and distributes natural gas in portions of Wisconsin and Michigan.
 
·
Revenues from operating segments not included above are below the necessary quantitative thresholds and are therefore included in the all other category.  Those primarily include investments in rental housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credits.

Asset and capital expenditure information is not provided for NSP-Wisconsin’s reportable segments because as an integrated electric and natural gas utility, NSP-Wisconsin operates significant assets that are not dedicated to a specific business segment, and reporting assets and capital expenditures by business segment would require arbitrary and potentially misleading allocations which may not necessarily reflect the assets that would be required for the operation of the business segments on a stand-alone basis.

To report income from continuing operations for regulated electric and regulated natural gas utility segments, the majority of costs are directly assigned to each segment.  However, some costs, such as common depreciation, common operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses and interest expense are allocated based on cost causation allocators.  A general allocator is used for certain general and administrative expenses, including office supplies, rent, property insurance and general advertising.
 
 
   
Regulated
   
Regulated
   
All
   
Reconciling
   
Consolidated
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Electric
   
Natural Gas
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2012
                             
Operating revenues from external customers
  $ 214,426     $ 11,742     $ 307     $ -     $ 226,475  
Intersegment revenues
    82       321       -       (403 )     -  
Total revenues
  $ 214,508     $ 12,063     $ 307     $ (403 )   $ 226,475  
Net income (loss)
  $ 21,743     $ (1,461 )   $ 1,918     $ -     $ 22,200  
 
 
   
Regulated
   
Regulated
   
All
   
Reconciling
   
Consolidated
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Electric
   
Natural Gas
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Three Months Ended Sept. 30, 2011
                             
Operating revenues from external customers
  $ 210,810     $ 13,312     $ 346     $ -     $ 224,468  
Intersegment revenues
    83       212       -       (295 )     -  
Total revenues
  $ 210,893     $ 13,524     $ 346     $ (295 )   $ 224,468  
Net income (loss)
  $ 21,178     $ (1,835 )   $ 630     $ -     $ 19,973  
 
 
   
Regulated
   
Regulated
   
All
   
Reconciling
   
Consolidated
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Electric
   
Natural Gas
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2012
                             
Operating revenues from external customers
  $ 575,532     $ 68,064     $ 851     $ -     $ 644,447  
Intersegment revenues
    278       585       -       (863 )     -  
Total revenues
  $ 575,810     $ 68,649     $ 851     $ (863 )   $ 644,447  
Net income
  $ 39,118     $ 992     $ 2,710     $ -     $ 42,820  
 
 
   
Regulated
   
Regulated
   
All
   
Reconciling
   
Consolidated
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Electric
   
Natural Gas
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, 2011
                             
Operating revenues from external customers
  $ 573,870     $ 86,675     $ 881     $ -     $ 661,426  
Intersegment revenues
    299       1,050       -       (1,349 )     -  
Total revenues
  $ 574,169     $ 87,725     $ 881     $ (1,349 )   $ 661,426  
Net income
  $ 40,698     $ 1,757     $ 639     $ -     $ 43,094  
 
11.
Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 
Three Months Ended Sept. 30
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
             
Postretirement Health
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
  Pension Benefits  
Care Benefits
 
Service cost
  $ 1,142     $ 1,067     $ 5     $ 4  
Interest cost
    1,918       2,007       268       287  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2,622 )     (2,871 )     (13 )     (19 )
Amortization of transition obligation
    -       -       42       42  
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
    442       473       (4 )     (4 )
Amortization of net loss
    1,460       1,019       123       93  
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting
  $ 2,340     $ 1,695     $ 421     $ 403  
 
 
Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
             
Postretirement Health
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
  Pension Benefits  
Care Benefits
 
Service cost
  $ 3,426     $ 3,203     $ 15     $ 13  
Interest cost
    5,753       6,023       806       859  
Expected return on plan assets
    (7,867 )     (8,613 )     (38 )     (56 )
Amortization of transition obligation
    -       -       128       128  
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
    1,328       1,421       (11 )     (11 )
Amortization of net loss
    4,382       3,053       365       275  
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting
  $ 7,022     $ 5,087     $ 1,265     $ 1,208  

In January 2012, contributions of $190.5 million were made across four of Xcel Energy’s pension plans, of which $12.3 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.  Xcel Energy does not expect additional pension contributions during 2012.

In June 2012, to manage volatility in equity pricing within the pension master trust, Xcel Energy entered into equity collar contracts with a net-zero cost at initiation on a portion of the equity securities.  The equity collar strategy is designed to reduce potential equity losses while limiting gains, resulting in lower equity volatility for the pension plans.  At Sept. 30, 2012, the mark-to-market value of these arrangements was not material to the value of the pension trust assets or NSP-Wisconsin’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.  These arrangements will expire in December 2012.

Item 2
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Discussion of financial condition and liquidity for NSP-Wisconsin is omitted per conditions set forth in general instructions H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q for wholly owned subsidiaries.  It is replaced with management’s narrative analysis of the results of operations set forth in general instructions H (2) (a) of Form 10-Q for wholly owned subsidiaries (reduced disclosure format).

Financial Review

The following discussion and analysis by management focuses on those factors that had a material effect on NSP-Wisconsin’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows during the periods presented, or are expected to have a material impact in the future.  It should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes to the consolidated financial statements.  Due to the seasonality of NSP-Wisconsin’s electric and natural gas sales, such interim results are not necessarily an appropriate base from which to project annual results.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical statements contained in this report, the matters discussed in the following discussion and analysis are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Such forward-looking statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “should” and similar expressions.  Actual results may vary materially.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including inflation rates, monetary fluctuations and their impact on capital expenditures and the ability of NSP-Wisconsin and its subsidiaries to obtain financing on favorable terms; business conditions in the energy industry, including the risk of a slow down in the U.S. economy or delay in growth recovery; trade, fiscal, taxation and environmental policies in areas where NSP-Wisconsin has a financial interest; customer business conditions; actions of credit rating agencies; competitive factors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by NSP-Wisconsin and its subsidiaries; unusual weather; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rates or have an impact on asset operation or ownership or impose environmental compliance conditions; structures that affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas markets; costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; actions by regulatory bodies impacting NSP-Minnesota’s nuclear operations, including those affecting costs, operations or the approval of requests pending before the NRC; financial or regulatory accounting policies imposed by  regulatory bodies; availability or cost of capital; employee workforce factors; the items described under Factors Affecting Results of Operations; and the other risk factors listed from time to time by NSP-Wisconsin in reports filed with the SEC, including “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of NSP-Wisconsin’s Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, and Item 1A and Exhibit 99.01 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2012.
 
 
Results of Operations

NSP-Wisconsin’s net income was $42.8 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012, compared with $43.1 million for the same period in 2011.  Net income was positively impacted by rate increases, effective in January 2012, and the impact of warmer summer weather, offset by warmer winter weather.

Electric Revenues and Margin

Electric production expenses tend to vary with the quantity of electricity sold and changes in the unit costs of fuel and purchased power.  The electric fuel and purchased power cost recovery mechanism of the Wisconsin jurisdiction may not allow for complete recovery of all expenses and, therefore, changes in fuel or purchased power costs can impact earnings.  The following table details the electric revenues and margin:
    Nine Months Ended Sept. 30  
(Millions of Dollars)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Electric revenues
  $ 576     $ 574  
Electric fuel and purchased power
    (317 )     (316 )
Electric margin
  $ 259     $ 258  
 
The following tables summarize the components of the changes in electric revenues and margin for the nine months ended Sept. 30:

Electric Revenues

(Millions of Dollars)
 
2012 vs. 2011
 
Retail rate increases
  $ 9  
Demand revenue
    4  
Fuel and purchased power cost recovery
    3  
Retail sales increase (excluding weather impact)
    2  
Sales mix
    (8 )
Firm wholesale
    (5 )
Estimated impact of weather
    (4 )
Other, net
    1  
Total increase in electric revenues
  $ 2  

Electric Margin

(Millions of Dollars)
 
2012 vs. 2011
 
Retail rate increases
  $ 9  
Demand revenue
    4  
Retail sales increase (excluding weather impact)
    2  
Sales mix
    (8 )
Estimated impact of weather
    (4 )
Firm wholesale
    (3 )
Other, net
    1  
Total increase in electric margin
  $ 1  

Natural Gas Revenues and Margin

The cost of natural gas tends to vary with changing sales requirements and unit cost of natural gas purchases.  However, due to purchased natural gas cost recovery mechanisms for retail customers, fluctuations in the cost of natural gas have little effect on natural gas margin.  The following table details the natural gas revenues and margin:

    Nine Months Ended Sept. 30  
(Millions of Dollars)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Natural gas revenues
  $ 68     $ 87  
Cost of natural gas sold and transported
    (40 )     (57 )
Natural gas margin
  $ 28     $ 30  
 
 
The following tables summarize the components of the changes in natural gas revenues and margin for the nine months ended Sept. 30:

Natural Gas Revenues

(Millions of Dollars)
 
2012 vs. 2011
 
Purchased natural gas adjustment clause recovery
  $ (17 )
Estimated impact of weather
    (4 )
Retail rate increase
    2  
Total decrease in natural gas revenues
  $ (19 )
 
Natural Gas Margin

(Millions of Dollars)
 
2012 vs. 2011
 
Estimated impact of weather
  $ (4 )
Retail rate increase
    2  
Total decrease in natural gas margin
  $ (2 )
 
Non-Fuel Operating Expenses and Other Items

Income Taxes — Income tax expense decreased by $2.7 million for the first nine months of 2012, compared with the same period in 2011.  The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to tax expense from prior year adjustments in 2011 and lower pretax earnings in 2012.  The effective tax rate was 37.9 percent for the first nine months of 2012, compared with 40.1 percent for the same period in 2011.  The higher effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2011 was primarily due to tax expense from the prior year adjustments.  Without this tax expense, the effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2011 would have been 38.4 percent.

Factors Affecting Results of Operations

Public Utility Regulation

CapX2020 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) — The PSCW issued a CPCN for the Wisconsin portion of the CapX2020 Hampton, Minn. to La Crosse, Wis. 345 kilovolt (KV) project on May 30, 2012.  The Wisconsin portion consists of approximately 50 miles of new transmission line.  The PSCW also approved a route and the cost is estimated at $211 million.  Construction on the Wisconsin portion of the line is anticipated to begin in 2013 and the line is expected to go into service in 2015.

In June 2012, approximately 20 petitions for rehearing were filed with the PSCW by intervenors and interested parties.  The petitions were denied by the PSCW on July 17, 2012.  In August 2012, two intervenors filed a joint petition for judicial review of the PSCW’s order in Dane County Circuit Court, and the PSCW filed a motion to strike the petition.  NSP-Wisconsin, Dairyland Power Cooperative and WPPI Energy filed a notice of appearance and statement of position in the Dane County Circuit Court, but waived their right to brief the issues in the PSCW’s motion.  The PSCW’s motion is currently pending.  The timing of a final court ruling is uncertain.

Summary of Recent Federal Regulatory Developments

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has jurisdiction over rates for electric transmission service in interstate commerce and electricity sold at wholesale, hydro facility licensing, natural gas transportation, accounting practices and certain other activities of NSP-Wisconsin, including enforcement of North American Electric Reliability Corporation mandatory electric reliability standards. State and local agencies have jurisdiction over many of NSP-Wisconsin’s activities, including regulation of retail rates and environmental matters. See additional discussion in the summary of recent federal regulatory developments and public utility regulation sections of the NSP-Wisconsin Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011.  In addition to the matters discussed below, see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of other regulatory matters.

FERC Order 1000, Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation (Order 1000) —The FERC issued Orders 1000, 1000-A, and 1000-B adopting new requirements for transmission planning, cost allocation, and development to be effective prospectively.  The impacts of the new requirements relating to future transmission development and ownership in Wisconsin are uncertain.  The requirements for transmission planning and cost allocation were addressed by revisions to the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO) Tariff for NSP-Wisconsin as discussed below in MISO Transmission Pricing.
 
 
La Crosse, Wis. to Madison, Wis. Transmission Line Complaint — In February 2012, Xcel Energy Services Inc. and NSP-Wisconsin filed a complaint with the FERC concerning ownership of the proposed La Crosse, Wis. to Madison, Wis. 345 KV transmission line.  The complaint stated that MISO had determined that the line is to be owned by NSP-Wisconsin and American Transmission Company LLC (ATC) under the terms of the MISO Transmission Owners Agreement (TOA) and Tariff.  However, ATC asserted a different interpretation of the TOA and Tariff provisions that would effectively deny NSP-Wisconsin the ability to invest $175 million in the proposed multi-value project (MVP).  In July 2012, the FERC granted Xcel Energy Services Inc.’s and NSP-Wisconsin’s complaint, ruling that the responsibilities to construct the La Crosse, Wis. to Madison, Wis. transmission line belong equally to both parties, NSP-Wisconsin and ATC.  In August 2012, ATC requested rehearing and that the FERC grant a stay of the ruling.  On Sept. 17, 2012, the FERC granted rehearing for purposes of further consideration but did not grant a stay.  Thus, the July ruling remains in effect pending the FERC’s further ruling on rehearing.

ATC Complaint vs. Xcel Energy Services Inc. re Hampton, Minn. – La Crosse, Wis. Transmission Line — In October 2012, ATC filed a complaint against MISO, Xcel Energy Services Inc., NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin, alleging that, under the legal principles set forth in the July 2012 FERC ruling in the La Crosse, Wis. to Madison, Wis. Transmission line complaint against ATC, that the FERC should determine that MISO should have designated the Hampton, Minn. to La Crosse, Wis. CapX2020 345 KV line and the La Crosse, Wis. to Madison, Wis. 345 KV line as a single facility under the MISO TOA and Tariff, and ATC thus should have been designated as the owner of the La Crosse, Wis. to Madison, Wis. line portion of the purported single facility.  Xcel Energy believes the ATC complaint is without merit, and filed an answer seeking dismissal of the ATC complaint on Oct. 22, 2012.

MISO Transmission Pricing — The MISO Tariff presently provides for different allocation methods for the costs of new transmission investments: some lower voltage projects are fully allocated to loads near the project vicinity, and other reliability projects are allocated 20 percent regionally and 80 percent to local loads.   If a project qualifies as an MVP, the costs would be fully allocated to all loads in the MISO region.  MVP eligibility is generally obtained for higher voltage (345 KV and higher) projects expected to provide multiple purposes, such as improved reliability, reduced congestion, transmission for renewable energy, and load serving.  Certain parties have appealed the FERC MVP tariff orders to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

In its Order 1000 compliance filing in October 2012, MISO proposed that all future reliability projects be fully allocated to the zone(s) in which the project is located (rather than allocating costs more broadly).  MVP projects would continue to be eligible for regional cost allocation.   The NSP System has certain new transmission facilities for which other customers in MISO contribute to cost recovery.  The NSP System is the integrated electric production and transmission system of NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin, managed by NSP-Minnesota.  Likewise, the NSP System also pays a share of the costs of projects constructed by other transmission owning entities.  The transmission revenues received by the NSP System from MISO, and the transmission charges paid to MISO, associated with projects subject to regional cost allocation could be significant in future periods.

Item 4 —
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

NSP-Wisconsin maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. In addition, the disclosure controls and procedures ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO), allowing timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  As of Sept. 30, 2012, based on an evaluation carried out under the supervision and with the participation of NSP-Wisconsin’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and the procedures, the CEO and CFO have concluded that NSP-Wisconsin’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No change in NSP-Wisconsin’s internal control over financial reporting has occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, NSP-Wisconsin’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II —
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 —
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, various lawsuits and claims have arisen against NSP-Wisconsin.  NSP-Wisconsin has recorded an estimate of the probable cost of settlement or other disposition for such matters.
 
 
Additional Information

See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of legal claims and environmental proceedings.  See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of proceedings involving utility rates and other regulatory matters.

Item 1A —
RISK FACTORS

NSP-Wisconsin’s risk factors are documented in Item 1A of Part I of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

Item 5
OTHER INFORMATION

None.

Item 6 —
EXHIBITS

*
Indicates incorporation by reference
Furnished, herewith, not filed.  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

3.01*
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of NSP-Wisconsin (Exhibit 3.01 to Form S-4 (file no. 333-112033) dated Jan. 21, 2004).
3.02*
By-Laws of NSP-Wisconsin as amended June 3, 2008 (Exhibit 3.02 to Form 10-Q (file no. 001-03140) dated Aug. 4, 2008).
10.01*
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2012 among NSP-Wisconsin, as Borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., and Barclays Bank Plc, as Syndication Agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.05 to Xcel Energy Inc.’s Form 8-K, dated July 27, 2012 (file no. 001-03034)).
Principal Executive Officer’s certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Principal Financial Officer’s certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Statement pursuant to Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
101
The following materials from NSP-Wisconsin’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2012 are formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):  (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and (vi) document and entity information.
 
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Northern States Power Company (a Wisconsin corporation)
 
Oct. 29, 2012    
By:
/s/ JEFFREY S. SAVAGE
 
Jeffrey S. Savage
 
Vice President and Controller
   
 
/s/ TERESA S. MADDEN
 
Teresa S. Madden
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
 
 
23