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Operations and Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Operations and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Financial Statement Preparation. References in this report to “we,” “us,” and “our” are to ALLETE and its subsidiaries, collectively. We prepare our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These principles require management to make informed judgments, best estimates, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent Events. The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the time of the financial statements issuance. Principles of Consolidation. Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of ALLETE, all of our majority‑owned subsidiary companies and variable interest entities of which ALLETE is the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Variable Interest Entities. The accounting guidance for “Variable Interest Entities” (VIE) is a consolidation model that considers if a company has a variable interest in a VIE. A VIE is a legal entity that possesses any of the following conditions: the entity’s equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, equity owners are unable to direct the activities that most significantly impact the legal entity’s economic performance (or they possess disproportionate voting rights in relation to the economic interest in the legal entity), or the equity owners lack the obligation to absorb the legal entity’s expected losses or the right to receive the legal entity’s expected residual returns. Entities are required to consolidate a VIE when it is determined that they have a controlling financial interest in a VIE and therefore, are the primary beneficiary of that VIE, as defined by the accounting guidance for “Variable Interest Entities.” In determining whether ALLETE is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, management considers whether ALLETE has the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and is obligated to absorb losses or receive the expected residual returns that are significant to the VIE. The accounting guidance for VIEs applies to certain ALLETE Clean Energy wind energy facilities and our investment in Nobles 2. (See Tax Equity Financing.) Business Segments. We present three reportable segments: Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy and U.S. Water Services. Our segments were determined in accordance with the guidance on segment reporting. We measure performance of our operations through budgeting and monitoring of contributions to consolidated net income by each business segment. Regulated Operations includes our regulated utilities, Minnesota Power and SWL&P, as well as our investment in ATC, a Wisconsin-based regulated utility that owns and maintains electric transmission assets in portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois. Minnesota Power provides regulated utility electric service in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 150,000 retail customers. Minnesota Power also has 15 non-affiliated municipal customers in Minnesota. SWL&P is a Wisconsin utility and a wholesale customer of Minnesota Power. SWL&P provides regulated utility electric, natural gas and water service in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers and 10,000 water customers. Our regulated utility operations include retail and wholesale activities under the jurisdiction of state and federal regulatory authorities. ALLETE Clean Energy focuses on developing, acquiring, and operating clean and renewable energy projects. ALLETE Clean Energy currently owns and operates, in seven states, more than 1,300 MW of nameplate capacity wind energy generation that is contracted under PSAs of various durations. In addition, ALLETE Clean Energy currently has approximately 200 MW of wind energy facilities under contract for sale to others. ALLETE Clean Energy also engages in the development of wind energy facilities to operate under long-term PSAs or for sale to others upon completion. U.S. Water Services provided integrated water management for industry by combining chemical, equipment, engineering and service for customized solutions to reduce water and energy usage, and improve efficiency. In March 2019, the Company sold U.S. Water Services to a subsidiary of Kurita Water Industries Ltd. pursuant to a stock purchase agreement for approximately $270 million in cash, net of transaction costs and cash retained. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Corporate and Other is comprised of BNI Energy, our investment in Nobles 2, South Shore Energy, ALLETE Properties, other business development and corporate expenditures, unallocated interest expense, a small amount of non-rate base generation, approximately 4,000 acres of land in Minnesota, and earnings on cash and investments. BNI Energy mines and sells lignite coal to two North Dakota mine-mouth generating units, one of which is Square Butte. In 2021, Square Butte supplied 50 percent (227.5 MW) of its output to Minnesota Power under long-term contracts. (See Note 8. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.) Our investment in Nobles 2 represents a 49 percent equity interest in Nobles 2, the entity that owns and operates a 250 MW wind energy facility in southwestern Minnesota pursuant to a 20-year PPA with Minnesota Power. South Shore Energy, ALLETE’s non-rate regulated, Wisconsin subsidiary, is developing NTEC, an approximately 600 MW proposed combined-cycle natural gas-fired generating facility to be built in Superior, Wisconsin, which will be jointly owned by Dairyland Power Cooperative, Basin and South Shore Energy. Minnesota Power is expected to purchase approximately 20 percent of the facility's output starting in 2025 pursuant to a capacity dedication agreement. Construction of NTEC is subject to obtaining additional permits from local, state and federal authorities. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $700 million, of which South Shore Energy’s portion is expected to be approximately $150 million. South Shore Energy’s portion of NTEC project costs incurred through December 31, 2021, is approximately $5 million. On October 1, 2021, South Shore Energy sold a portion of its undivided ownership interest in NTEC for approximately $20 million representing reimbursement of current costs plus a fee for prior development costs and risks incurred. Following the transaction, South Shore Energy now owns a 20 percent undivided ownership interest in NTEC, Basin owns a 30 percent undivided ownership interest in NTEC and Dairyland Power Cooperative continues to own a 50 percent undivided ownership interest in NTEC. The closing of the transaction resulted in the recognition of an approximately $8.5 million after-tax gain recorded in Corporate and Other in the fourth quarter of 2021, related to prior development costs and risks incurred. ALLETE Properties represents our legacy Florida real estate investment. Our strategy incorporates the possibility of a bulk sale of the entire ALLETE Properties portfolio. Proceeds from a bulk sale would be strategically deployed to support growth at our Regulated Operations and ALLETE Clean Energy. ALLETE Properties continues to pursue sales of individual parcels over time and will continue to maintain key entitlements and infrastructure. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash. We consider all investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, restricted cash amounts included in Prepayments and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet include collateral deposits required under an ALLETE Clean Energy loan agreement. The December 31, 2019 amount also includes deposits required under tax equity financing agreements. The restricted cash amounts included in Other Non-Current Assets represent collateral deposits required under an ALLETE Clean Energy loan agreement and PSAs. The December 31, 2020 and 2019 amounts also include deposits required under tax equity financing agreements. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheet that aggregate to the amounts presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash |  |  |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2021 |  | 2020 |  | 2019
Millions |  |  |  |  |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $45.1 |  |  | $44.3 |  |  | $69.3 |
Restricted Cash included in Prepayments and Other | 0.3 |  |  | 0.8 |  |  | 2.8 |
Restricted Cash included in Other Non-Current Assets | 2.3 |  |  | 20.1 |  |  | 20.4 |
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows | $47.7 |  |  | $65.2 |  |  | $92.5 |
NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Supplemental Statement of Cash Flow Information.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows |  |  |  |
Year Ended December 31 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Millions |  |  |  |
Cash Paid During the Period for Interest – Net of Amounts Capitalized | $66.8 |  | $62.0 |  | $63.5 |  |
Recognition of Right-of-use Assets and Lease Liabilities (a) | — |  | — |  | 28.7 |  |
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable for Capital Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment | $(14.0) | $(67.0) | $33.9 |  |
Reclassification of Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest to Current Liabilities (b) | $30.6 |  | — |  | — |  |
Capitalized Asset Retirement Costs | $16.9 |  | $4.1 |  | $20.7 |  |
AFUDC–Equity | $2.6 |  | $1.9 |  | $2.3 |  |
(a)Amount of the right-of-use asset and lease liability recognized with the adoption of an accounting standards update for leases. (b)Amount reclassified to Current Liabilities resulting from the exercise of an option to buy out a non-controlling interest. Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is based on our evaluation of the receivable portfolio under current conditions, overall portfolio quality, review of specific situations and such other factors that, in our judgment, deserve recognition in estimating losses.
Accounts Receivable |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2021 |  | 2020
Millions |  |  |
Trade Accounts Receivable |  |  |
Billed | $100.8 |  |  | $93.5 |
Unbilled | 24.7 |  |  | 20.9 |
Less: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | 1.8 |  |  | 2.5 |
Total Accounts Receivable | $123.7 |  |  | $111.9 |
Concentration of Credit Risk. We are subject to concentration of credit risk primarily as a result of accounts receivable. Minnesota Power sells electricity to eight Large Power Customers. Receivables from these customers totaled $7.8 million as of December 31, 2021 ($10.3 million as of December 31, 2020). Minnesota Power does not obtain collateral to support utility receivables, but monitors the credit standing of major customers. In addition, Minnesota Power, as permitted by the MPUC, requires its taconite-producing Large Power Customers to pay weekly for electric usage based on monthly energy usage estimates, which allows us to closely manage collection of amounts due. Minnesota Power’s taconite customers, which are currently owned by two entities at the end of 2021, accounted for approximately 32 percent of Regulated Operations operating revenue and approximately 28 percent of consolidated operating revenue in 2021 (29 percent of Regulated Operations operating revenue and 25 percent of consolidated operating revenue in 2020). In 2019, a single entity accounted for approximately 14 percent of Regulated Operations operating revenue and 12 percent of consolidated operating revenue. Long-Term Finance Receivables. Long-term finance receivables relating to our real estate operations are collateralized by property sold, accrue interest at market-based rates and are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We assess delinquent finance receivables by comparing the balance of such receivables to the estimated fair value of the collateralized property. If the fair value of the property is less than the finance receivable, we record a reserve for the difference. We estimate fair value based on recent property tax assessed values or current appraisals. Available-for-Sale Securities. Available-for-sale debt and equity securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity securities are recognized in earnings. We use the specific identification method as the basis for determining the cost of securities sold. Inventories – Net. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories in our Regulated Operations segment are carried at an average cost or first-in, first-out basis. Inventories in our ALLETE Clean Energy segment and Corporate and Other businesses are carried at an average cost, first-in, first-out or specific identification basis. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Inventories – Net |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2021 |  | 2020
Millions |  |  |
Fuel (a) | $18.7 |  |  | $23.1 |
Materials and Supplies | 56.1 |  |  | 51.1 |
Construction of Wind Energy Facilities (b) | 22.9 |  |  | — |
Total Inventories – Net | $97.7 |  |  | $74.2 |
(a) Fuel consists primarily of coal inventory at Minnesota Power. (b) Project costs related to ALLETE Clean Energy’s Northern Wind and Red Barn wind projects which are expected be sold in late 2022 and 2023, respectively. (See Other Current Liabilities.) Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are recorded at original cost and are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions, significant replacements, improvements and major plant overhauls are capitalized; maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Gains or losses on property, plant and equipment for Corporate and Other operations are recognized when they are retired or otherwise disposed. When property, plant and equipment in our Regulated Operations and ALLETE Clean Energy segments are retired or otherwise disposed, no gain or loss is recognized in accordance with the accounting standards for component depreciation except for certain circumstances where the retirement is unforeseen or unexpected. Our Regulated Operations capitalize AFUDC, which includes both an interest and equity component. AFUDC represents the cost of both debt and equity funds used to finance utility plant additions during construction periods. AFUDC amounts capitalized are included in rate base and are recovered from customers as the related property is depreciated. Upon MPUC approval of cost recovery, the recognition of AFUDC ceases. (See Note 2. Property, Plant and Equipment.) We believe that long-standing ratemaking practices approved by applicable state and federal regulatory commissions allow for the recovery of the remaining book value of retired plant assets. Minnesota Power’s 2015 IRP contained steps in Minnesota Power’s EnergyForward plan including the economic idling of Taconite Harbor Units 1 and 2 in 2016, and the ceasing of coal-fired operations at Taconite Harbor in 2020. As of December 31, 2021, Taconite Harbor had a net book value of approximately $45 million. The MPUC order for the 2015 IRP also directed Minnesota Power to retire Boswell Units 1 and 2, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2018. As part of the 2016 general retail rate case, the MPUC allowed recovery of the remaining book value of Boswell Units 1 and 2 through 2022. In its latest IRP filing, Minnesota Power proposed retiring Boswell Unit 3 by 2030 and transforming Boswell Unit 4 to be coal-free by 2035. Boswell Unit 3 and Unit 4 have a net book value of approximately $245 million and $435 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021. (See Note 4. Regulatory Matters.) We do not expect to record any impairment charge as a result of these operating changes at Taconite Harbor and Boswell. In addition, we expect to be able to continue depreciating these assets for at least their established remaining useful lives; however, we are unable to predict the impact of regulatory outcomes resulting in changes to their established remaining useful lives. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We review our long-lived assets for indicators of impairment in accordance with the accounting standards for property, plant and equipment on a quarterly basis. This includes our property, plant and equipment (see Property, Plant and Equipment) and land inventory. Land inventory is accounted for as held for use and is recorded at cost, unless the carrying value is determined not to be recoverable in accordance with the accounting standards for property, plant and equipment, in which case the land inventory is written down to estimated fair value. In accordance with the accounting standards for property, plant and equipment, if indicators of impairment exist, we test our long‑lived assets for recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. Cash flows are assessed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. The undiscounted future net cash flows are impacted by trends and factors known to us at the time they are calculated and our expectations related to: management’s best estimate of future use; sales prices; holding period and timing of sales; method of disposition; and future expenditures necessary to maintain the operations. We continue to monitor changes in the broader energy markets along with wind resource expectations that could indicate impairment at ALLETE Clean Energy wind energy facilities upon contract expirations. A continued decline in energy prices or lower wind resource expectations could result in a future impairment. In 2021, 2020, and 2019, there were no indicators of impairment for our property, plant, and equipment or land inventory. As a result, no impairment was recorded in 2021, 2020 or 2019. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Derivatives. ALLETE is exposed to certain risks relating to its business operations that can be managed through the use of derivative instruments. ALLETE may enter into derivative instruments to manage those risks including interest rate risk related to certain variable-rate borrowings and commodity price risk related to sales to retail and municipal customers as well as other power suppliers. We have determined that either these agreements are not derivatives, or, if they are derivatives, the agreements qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception to derivative accounting guidance; therefore, derivative accounting is not required. Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. We apply the fair value recognition guidance for share-based payments. Under this guidance, we recognize stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payments granted, net of an estimated forfeiture rate. (See Note 12. Employee Stock and Incentive Plans.)
Other Non-Current Assets |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2021 |  | 2020
Millions |  |  |
Contract Assets (a) | $23.3 |  |  | $25.5 |
Operating Lease Right-of-use Assets | 16.4 |  |  | 22.4 |
ALLETE Properties | 19.4 |  |  | 18.2 |
Restricted Cash | 2.3 |  |  | 20.1 |
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | 64.8 |  |  | 34.2 |
Other | 87.5 |  |  | 86.4 |
Total Other Non-Current Assets | $213.7 |  |  | $206.8 |
(a) Contract Assets include payments made to customers as an incentive to execute or extend service agreements. The contract payments are being amortized over the term of the respective agreements as a reduction to revenue.
Other Current Liabilities |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2021 |  | 2020
Millions |  |  |
Customer Deposits (a) | $27.2 |  |  | $7.4 |
PSAs | 12.6 |  |  | 12.5 |
Manufactured Gas Plant (b) | 12.8 |  |  | — |
Fuel Adjustment Clause | 5.0 |  |  | 3.7 |
Operating Lease Liabilities | 4.8 |  |  | 5.9 |
Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest (c) | 30.6 |  |  | — |
Other | 40.0 |  |  | 37.2 |
Total Other Current Liabilities | $133.0 |  |  | $66.7 |
(a) Primarily related to deposits received by ALLETE Clean Energy for the Northern Wind and Red Barn wind projects which are expected be sold in late 2022 and 2023 respectively. (See Inventories – Net.) (b) The manufactured gas plant represents the current liability for remediation of a former manufactured gas plant site located in Superior, Wisconsin, and formerly operated by SWL&P. (See Note 8. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.) (c) Amount reclassified from Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries resulting from the exercise of an option to buy out a non-controlling interest, which was paid in the first quarter of 2022.
Other Non-Current Liabilities |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2021 |  | 2020
Millions |  |  |
Asset Retirement Obligation | $184.5 |  |  | $166.6 |
PSAs | 39.5 |  |  | 52.1 |
Operating Lease Liabilities | 11.6 |  |  | 16.5 |
Other | 45.2 |  |  | 50.1 |
Total Other Non-Current Liabilities | $280.8 |  |  | $285.3 |
NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Leases. We determine if a contract is, or contains, a lease at inception and recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. Our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases are included in Other Non-Current Assets, Other Current Liabilities and Other Non-Current Liabilities, respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We currently do not have any finance leases. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term. As our leases do not provide an explicit rate, we determine the present value of future lease payments based on our estimated incremental borrowing rate using information available at the lease commencement date. The operating lease right-of-use asset includes lease payments to be made during the lease term and any lease incentives, as applicable. Our leases may include options to extend or buy out the lease at certain points throughout the term, and if it is reasonably certain at lease commencement that we will exercise that option, we include those rental payments in our calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Lease and rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The majority of our operating leases are for heavy equipment, vehicles and land with fixed monthly payments which we group into two categories: Vehicles and Equipment; and Land and Other. Our largest operating lease is for the dragline at BNI Energy which includes a termination payment at the end of the lease term if we do not exercise our purchase option. The amount of this payment is $3 million and is included in our calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability recorded. None of our other leases contain residual value guarantees. Additional information on the components of lease cost and presentation of cash flows were as follows:
As December 31 | 2021 | 2020
Millions |  |
Operating Lease Cost | $6.7 |  | $8.3 |
Other Information: |  |
Operating Cash Flows From Operating Leases | $6.7 |  | $8.3 |
Additional information related to leases was as follows:
As of December 31 | 2021 | 2020
Millions |  |
Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases: |  |
Other Non-Current Assets | $16.4 | $22.4
Total Operating Lease Right-of-use Assets | $16.4 | $22.4
Other Current Liabilities | $4.8 | $5.9
Other Non-Current Liabilities | 11.6 | 16.5
Total Operating Lease Liabilities | $16.4 | $22.4
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years): |  |
Operating Leases - Vehicles and Equipment | 3 | 3
Operating Leases - Land and Other | 27 | 27
Weighted Average Discount Rate: |  |
Operating Leases - Vehicles and Equipment | 3.8 | % | 3.1 | %
Operating Leases - Land and Other | 4.5 | % | 4.1 | %
NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Leases (Continued) Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
|  |  |  | December 31, 2021
Millions |  |  |  |
2022 |  |  |  | $5.1 |
2023 |  |  |  | 3.3 |
2024 |  |  |  | 3.0 |
2025 |  |  |  | 2.8 |
2026 |  |  |  | 2.8 |
Thereafter |  |  |  | 5.0 |
Total Lease Payments Due |  |  |  | 22.0 |
Less: Imputed Interest |  |  |  | 5.6 |
Total Lease Obligations |  |  |  | 16.4 |
Less: Current Lease Obligations |  |  |  | 4.8 |
Total Long-term Lease Obligations |  |  |  | $11.6 |
Environmental Liabilities. We review environmental matters on a quarterly basis. Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current law and existing technologies. Accruals are adjusted as assessment and remediation efforts progress, or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. Accruals for environmental liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at undiscounted amounts and exclude claims for recoveries from insurance or other third parties. Costs related to environmental contamination treatment and cleanup are expensed unless recoverable in rates from customers. (See Note 8. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.) Revenue. Contracts with Customers – Utility includes sales from our regulated operations for generation, transmission and distribution of electric service, and distribution of water and gas services to our customers. Also included is an immaterial amount of regulated steam generation that is used by customers in the production of paper and pulp. Contracts with Customers – Non-utility includes sales of goods and services to customers from ALLETE Clean Energy, U.S. Water Services and our Corporate and Other businesses. Other – Non-utility is the non-cash adjustments to revenue recognized by ALLETE Clean Energy for the amortization of differences between contract prices and estimated market prices for PSAs that were assumed during the acquisition of various wind energy facilities. Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those products or services. Revenue is recognized net of allowance for returns and any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities. We account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer obtains control of goods as a cost rather than an additional performance obligation thereby recognizing revenue at time of shipment and accruing shipping and handling costs when control transfers to our customers. We have a right to consideration from our customers in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer for our performance completed to date; therefore, we may recognize revenue in the amount to which we have a right to invoice. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Revenue (Continued) Nature of Revenue Streams Utility Residential and Commercial includes sales for electric, gas or water service to customers, who have implied contracts with the utility, under rates governed by the MPUC, PSCW or FERC. Customers are billed on a monthly cycle basis and revenue is recognized for electric, gas or water service delivered during the billing period. Revenue is accrued for service provided but not yet billed at period end. Performance obligations with these customers are satisfied at time of delivery to customer meters and simultaneously consumed. Municipal includes sales to 15 non-affiliated municipal customers in Minnesota under long-term wholesale electric contracts. All wholesale electric contracts include a termination clause requiring a three-year notice to terminate. These contracts have termination dates ranging through 2037, with a majority of contracts effective through 2029. Performance obligations with these customers are satisfied at the time energy is delivered to an agreed upon municipal substation or meter. Industrial includes sales recognized from contracts with customers in the taconite mining, paper, pulp and secondary wood products, pipeline and other industries. Industrial sales accounted for approximately 47 percent of total regulated utility kWh sales for the year ended December 31, 2021. Within industrial revenue, Minnesota Power had eight Large Power Customer contracts, each serving requirements of 10 MW or more of customer load as of December 31, 2021. These contracts automatically renew past the contract term unless a four-year advanced written notice is given. Large Power Customer contracts have earliest termination dates ranging from 2025 through 2029. In January 2021, Verso Corporation provided notice of termination for its contract. Minnesota Power and Verso Corporation mutually agreed to resolve the outstanding commitments under the contract in January 2022. We satisfy our performance obligations for these customers at the time energy is delivered to an agreed upon customer substation. Revenue is accrued for energy provided but not yet billed at period end. Based on current contracts with industrial customers, we expect to recognize minimum revenue for the fixed contract components of approximately $50 million per annum through 2025, $15 million in 2026, and $30 million in total thereafter, which reflects the termination notice period in these contracts. When determining minimum revenue, we assume that customer contracts will continue under the contract renewal provision; however, if long-term contracts are renegotiated and subsequently approved by the MPUC or there are changes within our industrial customer class, these amounts may be impacted. Contracts with customers that contain variable pricing or quantity components are excluded from the expected minimum revenue amounts. Other Power Suppliers includes the sale of energy under a long-term PSA with one customer as well as MISO market and liquidation sales. The expiration date of this PSA is 2028. Performance obligations with these customers are satisfied at the time energy is delivered to an agreed upon delivery point defined in the contract (generally the MISO pricing node). The current contract with one customer contains variable pricing components that prevent us from estimating future minimum revenue. Other Revenue includes all remaining individually immaterial revenue streams for Minnesota Power and SWL&P, and is comprised of steam sales to paper and pulp mills, wheeling revenue and other sources. Revenue for steam sales to customers is recognized at the time steam is delivered and simultaneously consumed. Revenue is recognized at the time each performance obligation is satisfied. CIP Financial Incentive reflects certain revenue that is a result of the achievement of certain objectives for our CIP financial incentives. This revenue is accounted for in accordance with the accounting standards for alternative revenue programs which allow for the recognition of revenue under an alternative revenue program if the program is established by an order from the utility’s regulatory commission, the order allows for automatic adjustment of future rates, the amount of revenue recognized is objectively determinable and probable of recovery, and the revenue will be collected within 24 months following the end of the annual period in which it is recognized. CIP financial incentives are recognized in the period in which the MPUC approves the filing, which is typically mid-year. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Revenue (Continued) Non-utility ALLETE Clean Energy Long-term PSA revenue includes all sales recognized under long-term contracts for production, curtailment, capacity and associated renewable energy credits from ALLETE Clean Energy wind energy facilities. Expiration dates of these PSAs range from 2022 through 2039. Performance obligations for these contracts are satisfied at the time energy is delivered to an agreed upon point, or production is curtailed at the request of the customer, at specified prices. Revenue from the sale of renewable energy credits is recognized at the same time the related energy is delivered to the customer when sold to the same party. Sale of Wind Energy Facility includes revenue recognized for the design, development, construction, and sale of a wind energy facility to a customer. Performance obligations for these types of agreements are satisfied at the time the completed project is transferred to the customer at the commercial operation date. Revenue from the sale of a wind energy facility is recognized at the time of asset transfer. Other is the non-cash adjustments to revenue recognized by ALLETE Clean Energy for the amortization of differences between contract prices and estimated market prices on assumed PSAs. As part of wind energy facility acquisitions, ALLETE Clean Energy assumed various PSAs that were above or below estimated market prices at the time of acquisition; the resulting differences between contract prices and estimated market prices are amortized to revenue over the remaining PSA term. U.S. Water Services In 2019, ALLETE completed the sale of U.S. Water Services. Prior to the sale, ALLETE recognized revenue under the point-in-time, contract and capital project streams. Point-in-time revenue was recognized for purchases by customers for chemicals, consumable equipment or related maintenance and repair services as the customer’s usage and needs changed over time. Contract revenue included monthly revenue from contracts with customers to provide chemicals, consumable equipment and services to meet customer needs during the contract period at a fixed monthly price. Capital Project revenue was recognized at the time of sale when equipment and other components were assembled to create a water treatment system for a customer. Corporate and Other Long-term Contract encompasses the sale and delivery of coal to customer generation facilities. Revenue is recognized on a monthly basis at the cost of production plus a specified profit per ton of coal delivered to the customer. Coal sales are secured under long-term coal supply agreements extending through 2037. Performance obligations are satisfied during the period as coal is delivered to customer generation facilities. Other primarily includes revenue from BNI Energy unrelated to coal, the sale of real estate from ALLETE Properties, and non‑rate base steam generation that is sold for use during production of paper and pulp. Performance obligations are satisfied when control transfers to the customer. Payment Terms Payment terms and conditions vary across our businesses. Aside from taconite-producing Large Power Customers, payment terms generally require payment to be made within 15 to 30 days from the end of the period that the service has been rendered. In the case of its taconite-producing Large Power Customers, as permitted by the MPUC, Minnesota Power requires weekly payments for electric usage based on monthly energy usage estimates. These customers receive estimated bills based on Minnesota Power’s estimate of the customers’ energy usage, forecasted energy prices and fuel adjustment clause estimates. Minnesota Power’s taconite-producing Large Power Customers have generally predictable energy usage on a weekly basis and any differences that occur are trued-up the following month. Due to the timing difference of revenue recognition from the timing of invoicing and payment, the taconite-producing Large Power Customers receive credit for the time value of money; however, we have determined that our contracts do not include a significant financing component as the period between when we transfer the service to the customer and when they pay for such service is minimal. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Revenue (Continued) Assets Recognized From the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer We recognize as an asset the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We expense incremental costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less. As of December 31, 2021, we have $23.3 million of assets recognized for costs incurred to obtain contracts with our customers ($25.5 million as of December 31, 2020). Management determined the amount of costs to be recognized as assets based on actual costs incurred and paid to obtain and fulfill these contracts to provide goods and services to our customers. Assets recognized to obtain contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the contract term as a non-cash reduction to revenue. We recognized $2.7 million of non-cash amortization for the year ended December 31, 2021 ($2.6 million for the year end December 31, 2020). Unamortized Discount and Premium on Debt. Discount and premium on debt are deferred and amortized over the terms of the related debt instruments using a method which approximates the effective interest method. Tax Equity Financings. Certain subsidiaries of ALLETE have entered into tax equity financings that include forming limited liability companies (LLC) with third-party investors for certain wind projects. Tax equity financings have specific terms that dictate distributions of cash and the allocation of tax attributes among the LLC members, who are divided into two categories: the sponsor and third-party investors. ALLETE subsidiaries are the sponsors in these tax equity financings. The distributions of cash and allocation of tax attributes in these financings generally differ from the underlying percentage ownership interests in the related LLC, with a disproportionate share of tax attributes (including accelerated depreciation and production tax credits) allocated to third-party investors in order to achieve targeted after-tax rates of return, or target yield, from project operations, and a disproportionate share of cash distributions made to the sponsor. The target yield and other terms vary by tax equity financing. Once the target yield has been achieved, a “flip point” is recognized. In addition, tax equity financings typically provide that cash distributions can be temporarily increased to the third-party investors in order to meet cumulative distribution thresholds. After the flip point, tax attributes and cash distributions are both typically disproportionately allocated to the sponsor. Tax equity financings include affirmative and negative covenants that are similar to what a project lender would require in a project financing, such as financial reporting, insurance, maintenance and prudent operator standards. Most covenants are no longer applicable once the flip point occurs and any other obligations of the third-party investor have been eliminated. The third-party investors’ portions of equity ownership in tax equity LLCs are recorded as non-controlling interest in subsidiaries on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and earnings allocated to third-party investors are recorded as net loss attributable to non-controlling interest on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries. Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries represents the portion of equity ownership, net income (loss), and comprehensive income (loss) in subsidiaries that is not attributable to equity holders of ALLETE. These amounts as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, related to the tax equity financings for ALLETE Clean Energy’s 106 MW Glen Ullin, 80 MW South Peak, 303 MW Diamond Spring and 303 MW Caddo wind energy facilities as well as ALLETE’s equity investment in the 250 MW Nobles 2 wind energy facility. For those wind projects with tax equity financings where the economic benefits are not allocated based on the underlying ownership percentage interests, we have determined that the appropriate methodology for calculating the non-controlling interest in subsidiaries balance is the hypothetical liquidation at book value (HLBV) method. The HLBV method is a balance sheet approach which reflects the substantive economic arrangements in the tax equity financing structures. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries (Continued) Under the HLBV method, amounts reported as non-controlling interest in subsidiaries on the Consolidated Balance Sheet represent the amounts the third-party investors would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet reporting date under the liquidation provisions of the LLC agreements, assuming the net assets of the wind projects were liquidated at amounts determined in accordance with GAAP and distributed to the third-party investor and sponsor. The resulting non-controlling interest in subsidiaries balance in these projects is reported as a component of equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The results of operations for these projects attributable to non-controlling interest under the HLBV method is determined as the difference in non-controlling interest in subsidiaries on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at the start and end of each reporting period, after taking into account any capital transactions between the projects and the third-party investors. Factors used in the HLBV calculation include GAAP income, taxable income (loss), tax attributes such as accelerated depreciation and production tax credits, capital contributions, cash distributions, and the target yield specified in the corresponding LLC agreement. Changes in these factors could have a significant impact on the amounts that third-party investors and sponsors would receive upon a hypothetical liquidation. The use of the HLBV method to allocate income to the non-controlling interest in subsidiaries may create variability in our results of operations as the application of the HLBV method can drive variability in net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiaries from period to period.
Other Income (Expense) - Other |  |  |
Year Ended December 31 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019
Millions |  |  |
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Non-Service Credit (a) | $6.1 |  | $8.6 |  | $7.7 |
Interest and Investment Earnings | 2.3 |  | 1.6 |  | 4.4 |
AFUDC - Equity | 2.6 |  | 1.9 |  | 2.3 |
Gain on Land Sales | 0.1 |  | 0.4 |  | 2.1 |
Other | (2.4) |  | 2.2 |  | 2.2 |
Total Other Income (Expense) - Other | $8.7 |  | $14.7 |  | $18.7 |
(a)These are components of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost other than service cost. (See Note 11. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans.) Income Taxes. ALLETE and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return as well as combined and separate state income tax returns. We account for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with GAAP for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are established for all temporary differences in the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities, based upon enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the taxes become payable. Due to the effects of regulation on Minnesota Power and SWL&P, certain adjustments made to deferred income taxes are, in turn, recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. Federal investment tax credits have been recorded as deferred credits and are being amortized to income tax expense over the service lives of the related property. In accordance with GAAP for uncertainty in income taxes, we are required to recognize in our financial statements the largest tax benefit of a tax position that is “more‑likely‑than‑not” to be sustained on audit, based solely on the technical merits of the position as of the reporting date. The term “more‑likely‑than‑not” means more than 50 percent likely. (See Note 10. Income Tax Expense.) Excise Taxes. We collect excise taxes from our customers levied by governmental entities. These taxes are stated separately on the billing to the customer and recorded as a liability to be remitted to the governmental entity. We account for the collection and payment of these taxes on a net basis.

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