CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Long-Term Debt
Unamortized discount	$ (2,457)		$ (1,748)
Total long-term debt, including current maturities	468,563		369,369
Less: current maturities	1,246		1,286
Total long-term debt	467,317		368,083
Common Stockholders' Equity
Common stock - 1,000,000 authorized shares of $100 par value;933,000 shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	93,300		93,300
Additional paid in capital	189,867		187,071
Retained earnings	234,376		241,296
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(437)		(514)
Total common stockholder's equity	517,106		521,153
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
First Mortgage Bonds [Member] | Series Due Oct. 1, 2042 [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt, gross	100,000		0
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	591		625
Other [Member]
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,829		$ 1,892

[1] Resource recovery financing