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Regulatory Matters | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Regulatory Matters [Abstract] |
Regulatory Matters [Text Block] | Regulatory Matters Electric Rates. Entities within our Regulated Operations segment file for periodic rate revisions with the MPUC, the FERC or the PSCW. 2010 Rate Case. On November 2, 2010, Minnesota Power received a written order from the MPUC approving a retail rate increase of $53.5 million, a 10.38 percent return on common equity and a 54.29 percent equity ratio, subject to reconsideration. On May 24, 2011, the MPUC issued an order authorizing Minnesota Power to implement final rates of $53.5 million, effective June 1, 2011. The May 24, 2011 order authorized Minnesota Power to collect a $3.2 million differential between interim rates and final rates for the period from November 2, 2010 through May 31, 2011, all of which was recorded in 2011. Under the terms of a stipulation and settlement agreement approved by the MPUC as part of this rate case, Minnesota Power agreed to forgo collection of $20.5 million in revenue receivable that it was entitled to under a prior rider for the Boswell Unit 3 environmental retrofit. The agreement required the Company to capitalize, as part of rate base, the $20.5 million to property, plant and equipment representing AFUDC. In conjunction with the settlement agreement, and upon receipt of the final rate order in February 2011, the Company reversed a $6.2 million deferred tax liability related to the revenue receivable Minnesota Power agreed to forgo. The $20.5 million revenue receivable was previously included in regulatory assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. On February 22, 2011, Minnesota Power appealed the MPUC’s interim rate decision in the Company’s 2010 rate case with the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The Company appealed the MPUC’s finding of exigent circumstances in the interim rate decision with the primary arguments that the MPUC exceeded its statutory authority, made its decision without the support of a body of record evidence and that the decision violated public policy. The Company desires to resolve whether the MPUC’s finding of exigent circumstances was lawful for application in future rate cases. In December 2011, the Minnesota Court of Appeals concluded that the MPUC did not err in finding exigent circumstances and properly exercised its discretion in setting interim rates. On January 4, 2012, the Company filed a petition for review at the Minnesota Supreme Court, but cannot predict the outcome at this time.
Note 5. | Regulatory Matters (Continued)
FERC-Approved Wholesale Rates. Minnesota Power’s non-affiliated municipal customers consist of 16 municipalities in Minnesota and 1 private utility in Wisconsin. SWL&P, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ALLETE, is also a private utility in Wisconsin and a customer of Minnesota Power. In 2008, Minnesota Power entered into formula-based rate contracts with these customers. In February 2011, Minnesota Power entered into a new formula-based contract with the City of Nashwauk, effective May 1, 2012, through April 30, 2022. In June 2011, Minnesota Power entered into restated contracts, effective July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2019, with the remaining 15 Minnesota municipal customers, and effective August 1, 2011, through June 30, 2019, with SWL&P. The rates included in these contracts are calculated using a cost-based formula methodology that is set each July using estimated costs and a rate of return that is equal to our authorized rate of return for Minnesota retail customers (10.38 percent). The formula-based rate methodology also provides for a monthly and yearly true-up calculation for actual costs incurred. Both the new and restated contract terms include a termination clause requiring a three-year notice to terminate. Under the City of Nashwauk contract, no termination notice may be given prior to April 30, 2019. Under the restated contracts, no termination notices may be given prior to June 30, 2016. A two-year cancellation notice is required for the one private non-affiliated utility in Wisconsin, and on December 31, 2011, this customer submitted a cancellation notice with termination effective on December 31, 2013. We are currently in negotiations to extend the contract with this customer. 2010 Wisconsin Rate Increase. SWL&P’s 2011 retail rates are based on a 2010 PSCW retail rate order, effective January 1, 2011, that allows for a 10.9 percent return on common equity. The new rates reflect a 2.4 percent average increase in retail utility rates for SWL&P customers (a 12.8 percent increase in water rates, a 2.5 percent increase in natural gas rates and a 0.7 percent increase in electric rates). On an annualized basis, the rate increase will generate approximately $2.0 million in additional revenue. ALLETE Clean Energy. On August 26, 2011, the Company filed with the MPUC for approval of certain affiliated interest agreements between ALLETE and ALLETE Clean Energy. These agreements relate to various relationships with ALLETE, including the accounting for certain shared services, as well as the transfer of transmission and wind development rights in North Dakota to ALLETE Clean Energy. These transmission and wind development rights are separate and distinct from those needed by Minnesota Power to meet Minnesota’s renewable energy standard requirements. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). In March 2010, PPACA was signed into law. One of the provisions changed the tax treatment for retiree prescription drug expenses by eliminating the tax deduction for expenses that are reimbursed under Medicare Part D, beginning January 1, 2013. Based on this provision, we are subject to additional taxes in the future and were required to reverse previously recorded tax benefits in 2010. Consequently, the reversal of previously recorded tax benefits resulted in a non-recurring charge to net income of $4.0 million in 2010. In October 2010, we submitted a filing with the MPUC requesting deferral of the retail portion of the tax charge taken in 2010 resulting from PPACA. On May 24, 2011, the MPUC approved our request for deferral until the next rate case and as a result we recorded an income tax benefit of $2.9 million and a related regulatory asset of $5.0 million. (See Note 14. Income Tax Expense.) Pension. On December 22, 2011, the Company filed a petition with the MPUC requesting a mechanism to recover the cost of capital associated with the prepaid pension asset (or liability) created by the required contributions under the pension plan in excess of (or less than) annual pension expense. The Company further requested a mechanism to defer pension expenses in excess of (or less than) those currently being recovered in base rates. If our petition is successful the impact would be deferred in a regulatory asset (or liability) for recovery (or refund) in the Company’s next general rate case. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities. Our regulated utility operations are subject to the accounting standards on Regulated Operations. We capitalize, as regulatory assets, incurred costs which are probable of recovery in future utility rates. Regulatory liabilities represent amounts expected to be refunded or credited to customers in rates. No regulatory assets or liabilities are currently earning a return.
Note 5. | Regulatory Matters (Continued)
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2011 |  | 2010
Millions |  |  |
Current Regulatory Assets (a) |  |  |
Deferred Fuel |  | $17.5 |  |  |  | $20.6 |
Total Current Regulatory Assets | 17.5 |  |  | 20.6 |
Non-Current Regulatory Assets |  |  |
Future Benefit Obligations Under |  |  |
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans | 292.8 |  |  | 257.9 |
Boswell Unit 3 Environmental Rider | — |  |  | 20.5 |
Income Taxes | 28.6 |  |  | 17.3 |
Asset Retirement Obligation | 9.8 |  |  | 7.8 |
PPACA Income Tax Deferral | 5.0 |  |  | — |
Conservation Improvement Program | 4.6 |  |  | 0.7 |
Other | 5.1 |  |  | 6.0 |
Total Non-Current Regulatory Assets | 345.9 |  |  | 310.2 |
Total Regulatory Assets |  | $363.4 |  |  |  | $330.8 |
Non-Current Regulatory Liabilities |  |  |
Income Taxes |  | $21.9 |  |  |  | $23.4 |
Plant Removal Obligations | 15.0 |  |  | 16.9 |
Other | 6.6 |  |  | 3.3 |
Total Non-Current Regulatory Liabilities |  | $43.5 |  |  |  | $43.6 |
(a) | Current regulatory assets are included in prepayments and other on the consolidated balance sheet.

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