10-Q 1 nspw0630201310-q.htm 10-Q NSPW 06.30.2013 10-Q


 
 
 
 
 
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 June 30, 2013
or
¨
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  ¨ 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  ¨ 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 ¨
 
Accelerated filer ¨
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer x
 
Smaller reporting company ¨
(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). ¨ 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 Aug. 5, 2013
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    
Item 2   
Item 4   
 
 
 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1    
Item 1A
Item 4    
Item 5    
Item 6    
 
 
 
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).



2


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 — ­FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
$
185,374

 
$
179,105

 
$
376,185

 
$
361,106

Natural gas
24,555

 
14,830

 
74,912

 
56,322

Other
246

 
238

 
493

 
544

Total operating revenues
210,175

 
194,173

 
451,590

 
417,972

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Electric fuel and purchased power, non-affiliates
1,862

 
4,467

 
6,032

 
7,914

Purchased power, affiliates
100,043

 
98,813

 
198,985

 
197,980

Cost of natural gas sold and transported
14,302

 
7,123

 
45,287

 
34,002

Operating and maintenance expenses
42,992

 
42,492

 
84,668

 
80,992

Conservation program expenses
3,118

 
3,620

 
6,110

 
7,122

Depreciation and amortization
19,051

 
17,093

 
37,906

 
34,102

Taxes (other than income taxes)
6,341

 
6,217

 
12,735

 
12,598

Total operating expenses
187,709

 
179,825

 
391,723

 
374,710

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
22,466

 
14,348

 
59,867

 
43,262

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense), net
155

 
(40
)
 
270

 
460

Allowance for funds used during construction — equity
780

 
765

 
1,726

 
1,764

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest charges and financing costs
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest charges — includes other financing costs of
$380, $384, $761 and $810, respectively
6,814

 
6,044

 
13,669

 
12,059

Allowance for funds used during construction — debt
(400
)
 
(139
)
 
(809
)
 
(225
)
Total interest charges and financing costs
6,414

 
5,905

 
12,860

 
11,834

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
16,987

 
9,168

 
49,003

 
33,652

Income taxes
6,443

 
3,426

 
18,774

 
13,032

Net income
$
10,544

 
$
5,742

 
$
30,229

 
$
20,620


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


3



NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
10,544

 
$
5,742

 
$
30,229

 
$
20,620

Other comprehensive income
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Reclassification of losses to net income, net of tax of $14, $12, $26 and $25, respectively
18

 
19

 
37

 
38

Other comprehensive income
18

 
19

 
37

 
38

Comprehensive income
$
10,562

 
$
5,761

 
$
30,266

 
$
20,658


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


4


NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands)
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2013
 
2012
Operating activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
30,229

 
$
20,620

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
38,476

 
34,680

Deferred income taxes
15,407

 
14,638

Amortization of investment tax credits
(332
)
 
(312
)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
(1,726
)
 
(1,764
)
Net derivative (gains) losses
(344
)
 
63

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
1,134

 
(9,458
)
Accrued unbilled revenues
9,928

 
9,625

Inventories
1,913

 
7,696

Other current assets
3,442

 
(712
)
Accounts payable
(5,435
)
 
1,860

Net regulatory assets and liabilities
(806
)
 
4,479

Other current liabilities
1,670

 
588

Pension and other employee benefit obligations
(10,234
)
 
(11,730
)
Change in other noncurrent assets
329

 
(228
)
Change in other noncurrent liabilities
630

 
582

Net cash provided by operating activities
84,281

 
70,627

 
 
 
 
Investing activities
 

 
 

Utility capital/construction expenditures
(81,603
)
 
(72,230
)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
1,726

 
1,764

Other, net
(230
)
 
1,105

Net cash used in investing activities
(80,107
)
 
(69,361
)
 
 
 
 
Financing activities
 

 
 

(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net
(37,000
)
 
13,000

(Repayments of) proceeds from notes payable to affiliate
(80
)
 
50

Repayments of long-term debt
(92
)
 
(32
)
Capital contributions from parent
45,093

 
2,162

Dividends paid to parent
(15,186
)
 
(16,225
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(7,265
)
 
(1,045
)
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(3,091
)
 
221

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
4,459

 
1,571

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,368

 
$
1,792

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 

 
 

Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)
$
(12,122
)
 
$
(11,302
)
Cash received (paid) for income taxes, net
39

 
(706
)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing transactions:
 

 
 

Property, plant and equipment additions in accounts payable
$
9,134

 
$
5,748


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5


NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,368

 
$
4,459

Accounts receivable, net
49,584

 
50,706

Accrued unbilled revenues
39,210

 
49,138

Inventories
17,773

 
19,685

Regulatory assets
15,197

 
12,048

Prepaid taxes
22,490

 
24,688

Deferred income taxes
2,445

 

Prepayments and other
2,251

 
4,394

Total current assets
150,318

 
165,118

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
1,343,713

 
1,298,236

 
 
 
 
Other assets
 

 
 

Regulatory assets
236,085

 
240,459

Other investments
3,461

 
3,232

Other
3,662

 
4,040

Total other assets
243,208

 
247,731

Total assets
$
1,737,239

 
$
1,711,085

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities
 

 
 

Current portion of long-term debt
$
103

 
$
1,246

Short-term debt
2,000

 
39,000

Notes payable to affiliates
470

 
550

Accounts payable
26,838

 
30,723

Accounts payable to affiliates
29,461

 
31,556

Dividends payable to parent
7,757

 
7,667

Regulatory liabilities
7,718

 
6,086

Environmental liabilities
17,561

 
23,427

Accrued interest
7,470

 
7,304

Other
11,577

 
11,794

Total current liabilities
110,955

 
159,353

 
 
 
 
Deferred credits and other liabilities
 

 
 

Deferred income taxes
280,604

 
261,800

Deferred investment tax credits
9,294

 
8,911

Regulatory liabilities
125,016

 
123,746

Environmental liabilities
87,170

 
84,655

Customer advances
16,449

 
15,631

Pension and employee benefit obligations
53,394

 
63,643

Other
8,672

 
8,923

Total deferred credits and other liabilities
580,599

 
567,309

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies


 


Capitalization
 

 
 

Long-term debt
468,494

 
467,317

Common stock — 1,000,000 shares authorized of $100 par value; 933,000 shares outstanding at June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012, respectively
93,300

 
93,300

Additional paid in capital
234,961

 
189,867

Retained earnings
249,330

 
234,376

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(400
)
 
(437
)
Total common stockholder’s equity
577,191

 
517,106

Total liabilities and equity
$
1,737,239

 
$
1,711,085


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


6


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 June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012; the results of its operations, including the components of net income and comprehensive income, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012; and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.  All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature, except as otherwise disclosed.  Management has also evaluated the impact of events occurring after June 30, 2013 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, 2012 balance sheet information has been derived from the audited 2012 consolidated financial statements included in the NSP-Wisconsin Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2012.  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, 2012, filed with the SEC on Feb. 25, 2013.  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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2012, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of accounting policies and are incorporated herein by reference.

The electric production and transmission system of NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin (NSP System) is operated on an integrated basis and managed by NSP-Minnesota. The electric production and transmission costs of the NSP System are shared by NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin. A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Interchange Agreement between the two companies provides for the sharing of all generation and transmission costs of the NSP System. Such costs include current and potential obligations of NSP-Minnesota related to its nuclear generating facilities.

2.
Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

Balance Sheet Offsetting — In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Balance Sheet (Topic 210) — Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Accounting Standards Update (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.  In January 2013, the FASB issued Balance Sheet (Topic 210) – Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASU No. 2013-01) to clarify the specific instruments that should be considered in these disclosures.  These disclosure requirements do not affect the presentation of amounts in the consolidated balance sheets, and were effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods.  NSP-Wisconsin implemented the disclosure guidance effective Jan. 1, 2013, and the implementation did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.  See Note 8 for the required disclosures.

Comprehensive Income Disclosures — In February 2013, the FASB issued Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)  — Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU No. 2013-02), which requires detailed disclosures regarding changes in components of accumulated other comprehensive income and amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income.  These disclosure requirements do not change how net income or comprehensive income are presented in the consolidated financial statements.  These disclosure requirements were effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after Dec. 15, 2012, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods.  NSP-Wisconsin implemented the disclosure guidance effective Jan. 1, 2013, and the implementation did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.  See Note 12 for the required disclosures.

7


3.
Selected Balance Sheet Data
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts receivable, net
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
$
53,700

 
$
55,039

Less allowance for bad debts
 
(4,116
)
 
(4,333
)
 
 
$
49,584

 
$
50,706

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
Inventories
 
 
 
 

Materials and supplies
 
$
6,541

 
$
6,172

Fuel
 
7,268

 
6,664

Natural gas
 
3,964

 
6,849

 
 
$
17,773

 
$
19,685

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
 
 
 

Electric plant
 
$
1,848,303

 
$
1,795,239

Natural gas plant
 
227,790

 
224,625

Common and other property
 
112,043

 
111,319

Construction work in progress
 
77,144

 
62,629

Total property, plant and equipment
 
2,265,280

 
2,193,812

Less accumulated depreciation
 
(921,567
)
 
(895,576
)
 
 
$
1,343,713

 
$
1,298,236


4.
Income Taxes

Except to the extent noted below, the circumstances set forth in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included in NSP-Wisconsin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2012 appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of other income tax matters, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Federal Audit NSP-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 June 2015.  In the third quarter of 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of tax years 2010 and 2011.  As of June 30, 2013, the IRS had not proposed any material adjustments to tax years 2010 and 2011.

State Audits NSP-Wisconsin is a member of the Xcel Energy affiliated group that files consolidated state income tax returns. As of June 30, 2013, NSP-Wisconsin’s earliest open tax year that is subject to examination by state taxing authorities under applicable statutes of limitations is 2008.  In the first quarter of 2013, the state of Wisconsin commenced an examination of tax years 2009 through 2011.  As of June 30, 2013, no material adjustments had been proposed for these years.  There are currently no other 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.


8


A reconciliation of the amount of unrecognized tax benefit is as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
Unrecognized tax benefit — Permanent tax positions
 
$
0.1

 
$
0.1

Unrecognized tax benefit — Temporary tax positions
 
1.3

 
1.2

Total unrecognized tax benefit
 
$
1.4

 
$
1.3


The unrecognized tax benefit amounts were reduced by the tax benefits associated with net operating loss (NOL) and tax credit carryforwards.  The amounts of tax benefits associated with NOL and tax credit carryforwards are as follows:
(Millions of Dollars)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
NOL and tax credit carryforwards
 
$
(0.9
)
 
$
(0.9
)

It is reasonably possible that NSP-Wisconsin’s amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next 12 months as the IRS and state audits progress.  As the IRS examination moves closer to completion, it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefit could decrease up to approximately $1 million.

The payable for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is partially offset by the interest benefit associated with NOL and tax credit carryforwards.  The payables for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits at June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012 were not material.  No amounts were accrued for penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2013 or Dec. 31, 2012.

5.
Rate Matters

Except to the extent noted below, the circumstances set forth in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in NSP-Wisconsin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2012 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)

Base Rate

NSP-Wisconsin – Wisconsin 2014 Electric and Gas Rate Case  On May 31, 2013, NSP-Wisconsin filed a request with the PSCW to increase rates for electric and natural gas service effective Jan. 1, 2014. NSP-Wisconsin requested an overall increase in annual electric rates of $40.0 million, or 6.5 percent, and an increase in natural gas rates of $4.7 million, or 3.8 percent.

The rate filing is based on a 2014 forecast test year, a return on equity (ROE) of 10.4 percent, an equity ratio of 52.5 percent, and a forecasted average net investment rate base of approximately $895.3 million for the electric utility and $89.8 million for the natural gas utility.
 
Next steps in the procedural schedule are expected to be as follows:

Staff and Intervenor Direct Testimony – Oct. 4, 2013
Rebuttal Testimony – Oct. 18, 2013
Surrebuttal testimony – Oct. 28, 2013
Hearing – Oct. 30, 2013
Initial Brief – Nov. 13, 2013
Reply Brief – Nov. 20, 2013

A PSCW decision is anticipated in December 2013, with final rates going into effect in January 2014.

6.
Commitments and Contingencies

Except as noted below and in Note 5, the circumstances set forth in Notes 10 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements in NSP-Wisconsin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2012 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.


9


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)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
Guarantee issued and outstanding
 
$
1.0

 
$
1.0

Current exposure under the guarantee
 
0.4

 
0.4


Environmental Contingencies

Ashland Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) Site — NSP-Wisconsin has been named a potentially responsible party (PRP) for contamination at a site in Ashland, Wis.  The Ashland/Northern States Power Lakefront Superfund Site (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 2010, which describes the preferred remedy the EPA has selected for the cleanup of the Ashland site.  In 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 at the Ashland site.  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 has conveyed approximately 1,390 acres of land to the State of Wisconsin and tribal trustees.  Fieldwork to address the Phase I Project Area at the Ashland site began at the end of 2012 and continues in 2013.

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 includes estimates that the cost of the preferred remediation related to the Sediments is between $63 million and $77 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.  Trial for this matter has been scheduled for June 2014. Negotiations between the EPA, NSP-Wisconsin and several of the other PRPs regarding the PRPs’ fair share of the cleanup costs for the Ashland site are also ongoing.


10


At June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012, NSP-Wisconsin had recorded a liability of $101.3 million and $103.7 million, respectively, for the Ashland site based upon potential remediation and design costs together with estimated outside legal and consultant costs; of which $14.3 million and $20.1 million, respectively, was considered a current liability.  The reduction in recorded liability at June 30, 2013 reflects that cleanup has now commenced and costs are being incurred with respect to the Phase I Project Area.  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.  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 the cleanup approach implemented for the Sediments, which party implements the cleanup, the timing of when the cleanup is implemented, potential contributions 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 the estimated site remediation costs, as a regulatory asset, 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, utilities have recovered remediation costs for MGPs in natural gas rates, amortized over a four-to six-year period.  The PSCW historically 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 the cleanup at the Ashland site.  In December 2012, the PSCW granted an exception to its existing policy at the request of NSP-Wisconsin.  The elements of this exception include: 1) approval to begin recovery of estimated Phase 1 Project costs beginning on Jan. 1, 2013; 2) approval to amortize these estimated costs over a ten-year period; and 3) approval to apply a three percent carrying cost to the unamortized regulatory asset.  Implementation of this exception will help mitigate the rate impact to natural gas customers and the risk to NSP-Wisconsin from a longer amortization period.

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 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. On June 25, 2013, President Obama issued a memorandum directing the EPA to re-propose GHG emission standards for new power plants and develop GHG emission standards for existing power plants. It is not possible to evaluate the impact of these regulations until the upcoming proposals and final requirements are known.

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) In 2011, the EPA issued the CSAPR to address long range transport of particulate matter (PM) and ozone by requiring reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) from utilities 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 stated that the EPA must continue administering the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) pending adoption of a valid replacement.  Although the D.C. Circuit had denied all requests for rehearing, in June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court elected to review the D.C. Circuit’s 2012 decision to vacate the CSAPR. The Court has ordered the parties to file briefs in the appeal this fall and will likely issue a decision by June 2014.

As the EPA continues administering the CAIR while the CSAPR or a replacement rule is pending, NSP-Wisconsin expects to comply with the CAIR as described below.

CAIR — In 2005, the EPA issued the CAIR to further regulate SO2 and NOx emissions.  Under the CAIR’s cap and trade structure, companies can comply through capital investments in emission controls or purchase of emission allowances from other utilities making reductions on their systems.  NSP-Wisconsin purchased allowances in 2012 and plans to continue to purchase allowances in 2013 to comply with the CAIR.  At June 30, 2013, the estimated annual CAIR NOx allowance cost for NSP-Wisconsin did not have a material impact on the results of operations, financial position or cash flows.


11


Federal Clean Water Act - Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) — In June 2013, the EPA published a proposed ELG rule for power plants that use coal, natural gas, oil or nuclear materials as fuel and discharge treated effluent to surface waters as well as utility-owned landfills that receive coal combustion residuals (CCR). Refuse derived fuel, biomass and other alternatively fueled power plants are not addressed by the proposed revisions. The proposed rule identifies four potential regulatory options and invites comments on those regulatory approaches. The options differ in the number of waste streams covered, size of the units controlled and stringency of controls. The EPA is also seeking comment on the interaction between the ELG proposal and its proposed CCR rule, which is another proposed rule that would also regulate surface impoundments that store coal combustion byproducts (coal ash) and whether to regulate coal ash as hazardous or nonhazardous waste. A final rule is anticipated in 2014. Under the current proposed rule, facilities would need to comply as soon as possible after July 1, 2017 but no later than July 1, 2022. The impact of this rule on NSP-Wisconsin is uncertain at this time.

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 is 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 when (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.  Unless otherwise required by GAAP, legal fees are expensed as incurred.

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 and 23 other utility, oil, gas and coal companies.  Plaintiffs claim that defendants’ emission of CO2 and other greenhouse gases contribute to global warming, which is harming their village.  Xcel Energy 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 and subsequently rejected plaintiffs’ request for rehearing.  In May 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court denied plaintiffs’ request for review, which brings this litigation to a close.  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., SPS, PSCo, NSP-Wisconsin and NSP-Minnesota.  The amount of damages claimed by plaintiffs is unknown.  The defendants 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.  In May 2013, the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal of this lawsuit. It is uncertain whether plaintiffs will seek further review of this decision. Although Xcel Energy believes the likelihood of loss is remote based upon 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.


12


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.  Commercial paper outstanding for NSP-Wisconsin was as follows:
(Amounts in Millions, Except Interest Rates)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31, 2012
Borrowing limit
 
$
150

 
$
150

Amount outstanding at period end
 
2

 
39

Average amount outstanding
 
11

 
61

Maximum amount outstanding
 
27

 
116

Weighted average interest rate, computed on a daily basis
 
0.27
%
 
0.39
%
Weighted average interest rate at period end
 
0.22

 
0.40


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 June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012, 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 June 30, 2013, NSP-Wisconsin had the following committed credit facility available (in millions of dollars):
Credit Facility (a)
 
Drawn (b)
 
Available
$
150.0

 
$
2.0

 
$
148.0


(a) 
Credit facility expires in July 2017.
(b) 
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 June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012.

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)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
Notes payable to affiliates
 
$
0.5

 
$
0.6

Weighted average interest rate
 
0.27
%
 
0.33
%

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.


13


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.

Derivative Instruments Fair Value Measurements

NSP-Wisconsin enters into derivative instruments, including forward contracts, futures, swaps and options, to manage 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 June 30, 2013, 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 June 30, 2013 and 2012, and $0.1 million of net losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

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.

The following table details the gross notional amounts of commodity forwards and options at June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012:

(Amounts in Thousands) (a)(b)
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
Million British thermal units (MMBtu) of natural gas
 
377

 
53


(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.

Consideration of Credit Risk and Concentrations  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.


14


NSP-Wisconsin employs additional credit risk control mechanisms when appropriate, such as letters of credit, parental guarantees, standardized master netting agreements and termination provisions that allow for offsetting of positive and negative exposures.  Credit exposure is monitored and, when necessary, the activity with a specific counterparty is limited until credit enhancement is provided.

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 June 30
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2013
 
2012
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at April 1
 
$
(418
)
 
$
(495
)
After-tax net realized losses on derivative transactions reclassified into earnings
 
18

 
19

Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at June 30
 
$
(400
)
 
$
(476
)

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2013
 
2012
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at Jan. 1
 
$
(437
)
 
$
(514
)
After-tax net realized losses on derivative transactions reclassified into earnings
 
37

 
38

Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges at June 30
 
$
(400
)
 
$
(476
)

During the three months ended June 30, 2013, changes in the fair value of natural gas commodity derivatives resulted in net losses of $0.2 million, recognized as regulatory assets and liabilities.  For the three months ended June 30, 2012, changes in the fair value of natural gas commodity derivatives resulted in immaterial net gains recognized as regulatory assets and liabilities.  During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, changes in the fair value of natural gas commodity derivatives resulted in net losses of $0.2 million and $0.4 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 were recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2012, 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.  Such losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, and the three months ended June 30, 2012, were immaterial.

NSP-Wisconsin had no derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements — The following table presents for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, NSP-Wisconsin’s derivative assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012:
 
 
June 30, 2013
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Fair Value
Total
 
Counterparty
Netting (a)
 
Total (b)
Current derivative assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Natural gas commodity
 
$

 
$
191

 
$

 
$
191

 
$

 
$
191



15


 
 
Dec. 31, 2012
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Fair Value
Total
 
Counterparty
Netting (a)
 
Total (c)
Current derivative liabilities
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Natural gas commodity
 
$

 
$
11

 
$

 
$
11

 
$

 
$
11

 

(a) 
NSP-Wisconsin nets derivative instruments and related collateral in its consolidated balance sheet when supported by a legally enforceable master netting agreement, and all derivative instruments and related collateral amounts were subject to master netting agreements at June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012.  The counterparty netting amounts presented exclude settlement receivables and payables and non-derivative amounts that may be subject to the same master netting agreements.
(b) 
Included in other current assets balance of $2.3 million at June 30, 2013 in the consolidated balance sheets.
(c) 
Included in other current liabilities balance of $11.8 million at Dec. 31, 2012 in the consolidated balance sheets.

Fair Value of Long-Term Debt

As of June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012, other financial instruments for which the carrying amount did not equal fair value were as follows:
 
 
June 30, 2013
 
Dec. 31, 2012
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion
 
$
468,597

 
$
531,979

 
$
468,563

 
$
576,353


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 June 30, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2012, and given the observability of the inputs to these estimates, the fair values presented for long-term debt have been assigned a Level 2.  

9.
Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net consisted of the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Interest income (expense)
 
$
197

 
$
(25
)
 
$
396

 
$
632

Other nonoperating income
 
29

 
46

 
70

 
39

Insurance policy expense
 
(69
)
 
(61
)
 
(191
)
 
(211
)
Other nonoperating expense
 
(2
)
 

 
(5
)
 

Other income (expense), net
 
$
155

 
$
(40
)
 
$
270

 
$
460


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 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.

16


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.

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Regulated
Electric
 
Regulated
Natural Gas
 
All
Other
 
Reconciling
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
 
$
185,374

 
$
24,555

 
$
246

 
$

 
$
210,175

Intersegment revenues
 
83

 
278

 

 
(361
)
 

Total revenues
 
$
185,457

 
$
24,833

 
$
246

 
$
(361
)
 
$
210,175

Net income
 
$
10,068

 
$
201

 
$
275

 
$

 
$
10,544

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Regulated
Electric
 
Regulated
Natural Gas
 
All
Other
 
Reconciling
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
 
$
179,105

 
$
14,830

 
$
238

 
$

 
$
194,173

Intersegment revenues
 
109

 
61

 

 
(170
)
 

Total revenues
 
$
179,214

 
$
14,891

 
$
238

 
$
(170
)
 
$
194,173

Net income (loss)
 
$
6,127

 
$
(947
)
 
$
562

 
$

 
$
5,742

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Regulated
Electric
 
Regulated
Natural Gas
 
All
Other
 
Reconciling
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Total
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
 
$
376,185

 
$
74,912

 
$
493

 
$

 
$
451,590

Intersegment revenues
 
161

 
586

 

 
(747
)
 

Total revenues
 
$
376,346

 
$
75,498

 
$
493

 
$
(747
)
 
$
451,590

Net income
 
$
23,671

 
$
5,825

 
$
733

 
$

 
$
30,229

(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Regulated
Electric
 
Regulated
Natural Gas
 
All
Other
 
Reconciling
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Total
Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
 
$
361,106

 
$
56,322

 
$
544

 
$

 
$
417,972

Intersegment revenues
 
196

 
264

 

 
(460
)
 

Total revenues
 
$
361,302

 
$
56,586

 
$
544

 
$
(460
)
 
$
417,972

Net income
 
$
17,375

 
$
2,453

 
$
792

 
$

 
$
20,620



17


11.
Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Health
Care Benefits
Service cost
 
$
1,420

 
$
1,150

 
$
6

 
$
5

Interest cost
 
1,731

 
1,925

 
190

 
274

Expected return on plan assets
 
(2,498
)
 
(2,634
)
 
(10
)
 
(12
)
Amortization of transition obligation
 

 

 

 
43

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
 
104

 
443

 
(88
)
 
(3
)
Amortization of net loss
 
1,981

 
1,487

 
241

 
128

Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting
 
$
2,738

 
$
2,371

 
$
339

 
$
435

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Health
Care Benefits
Service cost
 
$
2,841

 
$
2,284

 
$
12

 
$
10

Interest cost
 
3,462

 
3,835

 
380

 
538

Expected return on plan assets
 
(4,997
)
 
(5,245
)
 
(21
)
 
(25
)
Amortization of transition obligation
 

 

 

 
86

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
 
208

 
886

 
(176
)
 
(7
)
Amortization of net loss
 
3,962

 
2,922

 
482

 
242

Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting
 
$
5,476

 
$
4,682

 
$
677

 
$
844


In January 2013, contributions of $191.5 million were made across four of Xcel Energy’s pension plans, of which $11.3 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.  Xcel Energy does not expect additional pension contributions during 2013.

12.
Other Comprehensive Income

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 were as follows:
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Gains and
Losses on Cash
Flow Hedges
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at April 1
 
$
(418
)
Losses reclassified from net accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
18

Net current period other comprehensive income
 
18

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 30
 
$
(400
)
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Gains and
Losses on Cash
Flow Hedges
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at Jan. 1
 
$
(437
)
Losses reclassified from net accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
37

Net current period other comprehensive income
 
37

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 30
 
$
(400
)


18


Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 were as follows:
 
 
Amounts Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
 
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
 
Losses on cash flow hedges:
 
 

 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
 
$
32

(a) 
$
63

(a) 
Total, pre-tax
 
32

 
63

 
Tax benefit
 
(14
)
 
(26
)

Total amounts reclassified, net of tax
 
$
18

 
$
37

 

(a) 
Included in interest charges.

Item 2MANAGEMENT’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 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (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, 2012, and Item 1A and Exhibit 99.01 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.


19


Results of Operations

NSP-Wisconsin’s net income was $30.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared with $20.6 million for the same period in 2012.  Higher earnings from electric and gas rates, effective January 2013, and the effect of cooler weather were partially offset by higher depreciation and O&M expenses.

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:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(Millions of Dollars)
 
2013
 
2012
Electric revenues
 
$
376

 
$
361

Electric fuel and purchased power
 
(205
)
 
(206
)
Electric margin
 
$
171

 
$
155


The following tables summarize the components of the changes in electric revenues and electric margin for the six months ended June 30:

Electric Revenues
(Millions of Dollars)
 
2013 vs. 2012
Retail rate increase (Wisconsin)
 
$
16

Interchange billings with Minnesota
 
8

Estimated impact of weather
 
4

Fuel and purchased power cost recovery
 
3

Firm wholesale
 
(15
)
Other, net
 
(1
)
Total increase in electric revenues
 
$
15


Electric Margin
(Millions of Dollars)
 
2013 vs. 2012
Retail rate increase (Wisconsin)
 
$
16

Interchange billings with Minnesota
 
9

Estimated impact of weather
 
4

Firm wholesale
 
(10
)
Timing of fuel recovery
 
(5
)
Other, net
 
2

Total increase in electric margin
 
$
16



20


Natural Gas Revenues and Margin

The cost of natural gas tends to vary with changing sales requirements and the cost of natural gas purchases.  However, due to the design of purchased natural gas cost recovery mechanisms to recover current expenses for sales to 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:
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(Millions of Dollars)
 
2013
 
2012
Natural gas revenues
 
$
75

 
$
56

Cost of natural gas sold and transported
 
(45
)
 
(34
)
Natural gas margin
 
$
30

 
$
22


The following tables summarize the components of the changes in natural gas revenues and natural gas margin for the six months ended June 30:

Natural Gas Revenues
(Millions of Dollars)
 
2013 vs. 2012
Purchased natural gas adjustment clause recovery
 
$
11

Estimated impact of weather
 
4

Retail rate increase (Wisconsin)
 
1

Other, net
 
3

Total increase in natural gas revenues
 
$
19


Natural Gas Margin
(Millions of Dollars)
 
2013 vs. 2012
Estimated impact of weather
 
$
4

Retail rate increase (Wisconsin)
 
1

Other, net
 
3

Total increase in natural gas margin
 
$
8


Non-Fuel Operating Expenses and Other Items

O&M Expenses — O&M expenses increased $3.7 million, or 4.5 percent, for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared with the same period in 2012.  The following table summarizes the changes in O&M expenses:

(Millions of Dollars)
 
2013 vs. 2012
Employee benefits
 
$
1

Bad debt expense
 
1

Other electric and gas distribution expenses
 
1

Other, net
 
1

Total increase in O&M expenses
 
$
4


Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation and amortization increased $3.8 million, or 11.2 percent, for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared with the same periods in 2012. The increases are primarily attributable to normal system expansion.

Income Taxes — Income tax expense increased $5.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared with the same period in 2012.  The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to higher pretax earnings in 2013. The ETR was 38.3 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared with 38.7 percent for the same period in 2012.  


21


Public Utility Regulation

2013 Electric Fuel Cost Recovery — NSP-Wisconsin’s electric fuel costs for the six months ended June 30, 2013 were higher than authorized in rates, and outside the two percent annual tolerance band established in the Wisconsin fuel cost recovery rules primarily due to extended outages at two baseload generation plants and higher than forecast prices in the MISO market. Under the fuel cost recovery rules, NSP-Wisconsin is at risk for the amount of under-recovery up to two percent of authorized annual fuel costs, up to $3.6 million. However, NSP-Wisconsin may defer the amount of under-recovery in excess of the two percent annual tolerance band for future rate recovery. Accordingly, NSP-Wisconsin recorded a deferral of approximately $1.8 million in June 2013. An application to recover the deferred amount cannot be made until 2013 annual actual fuel costs are known, and the amount of the deferral could increase or decrease based on actual fuel costs incurred for the remainder of the year. Rate recovery of the deferred amount is contingent on review and approval by the PSCW after opportunity for a hearing, and is subject to an earnings test based on NSP-Wisconsin’s most recently authorized ROE of 10.4 percent.

Summary of Recent Federal Regulatory Developments

The 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, 2012.

Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO) Transmission Pricing — The MISO Tariff presently provides for different allocation methods for the costs of new transmission investments depending on whether the project is primarily local or regional in nature.  If a project qualifies as a multi-value project (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 considered part of a portfolio of projects expected to serve multiple purposes, such as improved reliability, reduced congestion, transmission for renewable energy, and load serving.  Certain parties appealed the FERC MVP tariff orders to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.  On June 7, 2013, the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld the FERC MVP tariff orders allocating MVP project costs regionally, but remanded the FERC decision to not apply the regional charge to transmission service transactions crossing into the PJM Interconnection, LLC Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). The NSP System has certain new transmission facilities for which other customers in MISO contribute to cost recovery.  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.

FERC Order 1000, Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation (Order 1000) — The FERC issued Order 1000 adopting new requirements for transmission planning, cost allocation and development to be effective prospectively.  In Order 1000, the FERC required utilities to develop tariffs that provide for joint transmission planning and cost allocation for all FERC-jurisdictional utilities within a region.  In addition, Order 1000 required that regions coordinate to develop interregional plans for transmission planning and cost allocation.  A key provision of Order 1000 is a requirement that FERC-jurisdictional wholesale transmission tariffs exclude provisions that would grant the incumbent transmission owner a federal Right of First Refusal (ROFR) to build certain types of transmission projects in its service area. Various parties have appealed Order 1000 final rules to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. NSP-Wisconsin is participating in the appeals in coordination with other MISO transmission owners and utilities who oppose certain aspects of the rules, including the ROFR prohibition. Initial briefs by parties challenging the final rules were filed May 28, 2013. The FERC is expected to submit its responsive brief in September 2013. Oral arguments have not yet been scheduled. The Court is unlikely to rule before 2014.

The removal of a federal ROFR will eliminate rights that NSP-Wisconsin currently has under the MISO tariff to build transmission within its footprint.  The FERC required that opportunity to build such projects would extend to competitive transmission developers.  Further, Wisconsin has not developed legislation that preserves ROFR rights for Wisconsin utilities at the state level. Compliance with Order 1000 for NSP-Wisconsin will occur through changes to the MISO tariff. MISO made its initial compliance filings to incorporate new provisions into its tariff regarding regional planning and cost allocation. The FERC has ruled on the compliance filing for MISO, directing further changes to fully address the requirements of Order 1000. NSP-Wisconsin has requested rehearing of a number of issues in this order, the rehearing request is pending the FERC’s action. In addition, MISO has received an extension of the deadline for filing its interregional planning and cost allocation agreement with the Midcontinent Area Power Pool (MAPP) which will likely delay that filing until late third quarter of 2013. Filings to address MISO interregional planning and cost allocation requirements with other regions were made on July 10, 2013.


22


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 June 30, 2013, 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 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of legal claims and environmental proceedings.

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, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

Item 5OTHER INFORMATION

None.


23


Item 6 — EXHIBITS
*
Indicates incorporation by reference
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).
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 June 30, 2013 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.

24


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)
 
 
 
Aug. 5, 2013
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

25