PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Wisconsin Segment Plant to be Retired

We have evaluated future plans for our older and less efficient fossil fuel generating units and have either retired or announced the retirement of the plants identified below. In addition, a severance liability was recorded in other current liabilities on our balance sheets within the Wisconsin segment related to these plant retirements.



(in millions)
Severance liability at December 31, 2017	$	29.4
Severance payments	(8.7		)
Other	(3.0		)
Total severance liability at June 30, 2018	$	17.7

Pleasant Prairie Power Plant

The Pleasant Prairie power plant was retired effective April 10, 2018. The carrying value of this plant was $667.7 million at June 30, 2018. This amount included the net book value of $774.2 million, which was reclassified as a regulatory asset on our balance sheet in the second quarter as a result of the retirement of the plant. In addition, a $106.5 million cost of removal reserve related to the Pleasant Prairie power plant was recorded as a regulatory liability at June 30, 2018. WE continues to amortize this regulatory asset on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW before this plant was retired. Amortization is included in depreciation and amortization in the income statement. The physical dismantlement of the plant will not occur immediately. It may take several years to finalize long-term plans for the site. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information.

Presque Isle Power Plant

In October 2017, the MPSC approved UMERC’s application to construct and operate approximately 180 MW of natural gas-fired generation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The new units are expected to begin commercial operation during the second quarter of 2019. Upon receiving the MPSC's approval, retirement of the PIPP generating units became probable. In connection with MISO's April 2018 approval of the retirement of the plant, the PIPP units will be retired on or before May 31, 2019. The carrying value of the PIPP units was $189.7 million at June 30, 2018. This amount included the net book value of $199.8 million, which was classified as plant to be retired within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheet. In addition, a $10.1 million cost of removal reserve related to the PIPP units was recorded as a regulatory liability at June 30, 2018. These units are included in rate base, and WE continues to depreciate them on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

Pulliam Power Plant

In connection with the MISO ruling received in June 2018, WPS will retire Pulliam Units 7 and 8 on or before October 31, 2018. Retirement of the Pulliam generating units remained probable at June 30, 2018. The carrying value of the Pulliam units was $42.3 million at June 30, 2018. This amount included the net book value of $62.1 million, which was classified as plant to be retired within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheet. In addition, a $19.8 million cost of removal reserve related to the Pulliam units was recorded as a regulatory liability at June 30, 2018. These units are included in rate base, and WPS continues to depreciate them on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information.

Edgewater Unit 4

As a result of the continued implementation of the Consent Decree related to the jointly owned Columbia and Edgewater plants, retirement of the Edgewater 4 generating unit remained probable at June 30, 2018. The plant must be retired by September 30, 2018. The carrying value of the Edgewater 4 generating unit was $12.3 million at June 30, 2018. This amount included the net book value of WPS's ownership share of this generating unit of $14.2 million, which was classified as plant to be retired within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheet. In addition, a $1.9 million cost of removal reserve related to the Edgewater 4 generating unit was recorded as a regulatory liability at June 30, 2018. This unit is included in rate base, and WPS continues to depreciate it on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information regarding the Consent Decree.