Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Public Utilities, Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block]

10. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

The following table sets forth the major classifications of our property, plant, and equipment and accumulated depreciation at December 31:

In thousands	2016		2015
Utility plant in service	$	2,843,243	$	2,745,485
Utility construction work in progress	62,264		39,288
Less: Accumulated depreciation	903,096		867,377
Utility plant, net	2,002,411		1,917,396
Non-utility plant in service	299,378		296,839
Non-utility construction work in progress	3,931		7,768
Less: Accumulated depreciation	44,820		39,340
Non-utility plant, net	258,489		265,267
Total property, plant, and equipment	$	2,260,900	$	2,182,663
Capital expenditures in accrued liabilities	$	9,547	$	8,985

The weighted average depreciation rate for utility assets was 2.8% for utility assets during 2016, 2015, and 2014. The weighted average depreciation rate for non-utility assets was 2.0% in 2016 and 2.2% in 2015 and 2014.

Accumulated depreciation does not include the accumulated provision for asset removal costs of $341.1 million and $327.0 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These accrued asset removal costs are reflected on the balance sheet as regulatory liabilities. See Note 2. During 2016 and 2015 we did not acquire any equipment under capital leases.