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Operations and Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Operations and Significant Accounting Policies | 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. The presentation of certain prior period amounts on the Consolidated Financial Statements have been adjusted for comparative purposes. 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, certain New Energy Equity facilities, and our investment in Nobles 2. (See Tax Equity Financing.) Business Segments. We present two reportable segments: Regulated Operations and ALLETE Clean Energy. 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 14 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, operates, or has developed 1,600 MW of wind energy generation in five major energy markets and eight states across the U.S. with a majority contracted under PSAs of various durations. In addition, ALLETE Clean Energy engages in the development of wind energy facilities to operate under long-term PSAs or for sale to others upon completion. Corporate and Other is comprised of New Energy, our investment in Nobles 2, South Shore Energy, BNI Energy, ALLETE Properties, other business development and corporate expenditures, unallocated interest expense, a small amount of non-rate base generation, land holdings in Minnesota, and earnings on cash and investments. New Energy is a renewable energy development company with a primary focus on solar and storage facilities while also offering comprehensive operations, maintenance and asset management services. 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. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) 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. (See Note 3. Jointly-Owned Facilities and Assets.) BNI Energy mines and sells lignite coal to two North Dakota mine-mouth generating units, one of which is Square Butte. In 2024, Square Butte supplied 50 percent (227.5 MW) of its output to Minnesota Power under long-term contracts. (See Note 9. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.) 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, 2024, restricted cash amounts included in Prepayments and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet are primarily related to funds held in escrow for the purchase of land. As of December 31, 2024, and 2023, restricted cash amounts included in Prepayments and Other also include deposits required under a tax equity financing agreement and collateral deposits required under an ALLETE Clean Energy loan agreement. The restricted cash amounts included in Other Non-Current Assets represent collateral deposits required under an ALLETE Clean Energy loan agreement and PSAs. 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 | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2022
Millions |  |  |  |  |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $32.8 |  |  | $71.9 |  |  | $36.4 |
Restricted Cash included in Prepayments and Other | 19.9 |  |  | 5.1 |  |  | 1.5 |
Restricted Cash included in Other Non-Current Assets | 2.5 |  |  | 2.4 |  |  | 2.3 |
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows | $55.2 |  |  | $79.4 |  |  | $40.2 |
Supplemental Statement of Cash Flow Information.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows |  |  |  |
Year Ended December 31 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
Millions |  |  |  |
Cash Paid During the Period for Interest – Net of Amounts Capitalized | $75.1 |  | $80.5 |  | $72.8 |  |
Cash Paid for Income Taxes | $19.1 |  | $19.5 |  | $6.0 |  |
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable for Capital Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment | $15.5 | $2.2 | $(9.6) |
Reclassification of Property, Plant and Equipment to Inventory (a) | — |  | — |  | $99.7 |  |
Capitalized Asset Retirement Costs (b) | $55.0 |  | $5.8 |  | $11.8 |  |
AFUDC–Equity | $5.0 |  | $3.6 |  | $2.7 |  |
(a)The decommissioning of the existing Northern Wind assets resulted in a reclassification from Property, Plant and Equipment – Net to Inventories – Net in the second quarter of 2022 as they were repowered and subsequently sold to a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. In the third quarter of 2022, safe harbor equipment was transferred to the project entity resulting in an additional reclassification from Property, Plant and Equipment – Net to Inventories – Net. (b)Capitalized asset retirement costs in 2024 reflect the impact of estimated compliance costs related to the EPA’s CCR Legacy Impoundment Rule finalized in May 2024. (See Note 9. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.) NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) 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 | 2024 |  | 2023
Millions |  |  |
Trade Accounts Receivable |  |  |
Billed | $115.9 |  |  | $106.8 |
Unbilled | 27.2 |  |  | 23.8 |
Less: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | 1.7 |  |  | 1.6 |
Total Trade Accounts Receivable | 141.4 |  |  | 129.0 |
Income Taxes Receivable | 6.7 |  |  | 8.2 |
Total Accounts Receivable | $148.1 |  |  | $137.2 |
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 $13.3 million as of December 31, 2024 ($11.2 million as of December 31, 2023). 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 2024, accounted for 33 percent of Regulated Operations operating revenue and 27 percent of consolidated operating revenue in 2024 (32 percent of Regulated Operations operating revenue and 21 percent of consolidated operating revenue in 2023 and 32 percent of Regulated Operations operating revenue and 26 percent of consolidated operating revenue in 2022). 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.
Inventories – Net |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2024 |  | 2023
Millions |  |  |
Fuel (a) | $22.5 |  |  | $27.2 |
Materials and Supplies | 107.6 |  |  | 115.7 |
Renewable Energy Facilities Under Development (b) | 24.5 |  |  | 32.5 |
Total Inventories – Net | $154.6 |  |  | $175.4 |
(a) Fuel consists primarily of coal inventory at Minnesota Power. (b) Renewable Energy Facilities Under Development consists primarily of project costs related to renewable energy development projects at New Energy. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Prepayments and Other Current Assets. Prepayments and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet included $32.4 million of costs in excess of billings at New Energy as of December 31, 2024 ($21.5 million as of December 31, 2023). 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, except New Energy, are recognized when they are retired or otherwise disposed. When property, plant and equipment in our Regulated Operations and ALLETE Clean Energy segments as well as at New Energy are retired or otherwise disposed, no gain or loss is recognized in accordance with the accounting standards for composite 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. The MPUC order for Minnesota Power’s 2015 IRP 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. Minnesota Power’s latest IRP, which was approved by the MPUC in an order dated January 9, 2023, includes ceasing coal operations at Boswell Units 3 and 4 by 2030 and 2035, respectively. Boswell Unit 3 and Unit 4 have a net book value of approximately $220 million and $395 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2024. (See Note 4. Regulatory Matters.) Minnesota Power also retired Taconite Harbor in the first quarter of 2023 consistent with its latest IRP. As part of the 2022 general retail rate case, the MPUC allowed recovery of the remaining book value of Taconite Harbor through 2026. 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 decline in energy prices or lower wind resource expectations could result in a future impairment. In 2023 and 2022 there were triggering events identified for our property, plant, and equipment at certain ALLETE Clean Energy wind energy facilities. A recoverability test was performed indicating that the undiscounted cash flows adequately supported the property, plant and equipment book values. As a result, no impairment was recorded in 2023 or 2022. In 2024, there were no triggering events identified for our property, plant, and equipment at ALLETE Clean Energy. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Government Grants. We recognize government grants when there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached to the grant and that the grant will be received. Grants whose primary condition is the purchase, construction, or acquisition of a long-lived asset are considered asset-based grants and are recognized as a reduction to such asset’s cost basis, which reduces future depreciation. Cash inflows from asset-based grants are considered cash flows provided by investing activities. Other grants not related to long-lived assets are considered income-based grants, which are recognized as a reduction to the related cost of activities that generated the benefit are presented. Cash inflows from grants related to income are considered cash flows provided by operating activities. In the third quarter of 2024, Minnesota Power received $14.9 million in state funding related to its HVDC Transmission System Project as part of an energy and climate budget bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023. This was considered an asset-based grant and resulted in the reduction to cost basis for the related assets, and it is subject to regulatory obligations with the MPUC. There were no benefits recognized from income-based government grants in our consolidated statement of income in 2022, 2023 or 2024. 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 and transmission congestion cost risk related to sales to electric customers. We have determined that either these agreements are immaterial to the financial statements, are not derivatives, or, if they are derivatives, these 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 13. Employee Stock and Incentive Plans.) Goodwill. Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price (consideration transferred) over the estimated fair value of net assets of acquired businesses. In accordance with GAAP, goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is assessed annually in the fourth quarter for impairment and whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Impairment testing for goodwill is done at the reporting unit level. As of the date of our annual goodwill impairment testing in 2024, the Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessment of goodwill for impairment, proceeding directly to the two-step impairment test for the New Energy reporting unit. In performing Step 1 of the impairment test, we compared the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value including goodwill. If the carrying value including goodwill were to exceed the fair value of a reporting unit, Step 2 of the impairment test would be performed. Step 2 of the impairment test requires the carrying value of goodwill to be reduced to its fair value, if lower, as of the test date. For Step 1 of the impairment test, we estimated the reporting unit's fair value using standard valuation techniques, including techniques which use estimates of projected future results and cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit. Such techniques generally include a terminal value that utilizes a growth rate on debt-free cash flows. These cash flow valuations involve a number of estimates that require broad assumptions and significant judgment by management regarding future performance. Our annual impairment test in 2024 indicated that the estimated fair value of New Energy exceeded its carrying value, and therefore no impairment existed. The fair value of the reporting unit was determined using a discounted cash flow model, using significant assumptions which included a discount rate of 12.5 percent, cash flow forecasts through 2033, gross margins, and a terminal growth rate of 3.5 percent.
Other Non-Current Assets |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2024 |  | 2023
Millions |  |  |
Contract Assets (a) | $15.9 |  |  | $18.5 |
ALLETE Properties | 10.3 |  |  | 10.8 |
Restricted Cash | 2.5 |  |  | 2.4 |
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | 107.6 |  |  | 106.3 |
Other | 134.2 |  |  | 124.9 |
Total Other Non-Current Assets | $270.5 |  |  | $262.9 |
(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 | 2024 |  | 2023
Millions |  |  |
Customer Deposits | $7.8 |  |  | $7.4 |
PSAs | 5.9 |  |  | 6.0 |
Provision for Interim Rate Refund | 23.0 |  |  | — |
Manufactured Gas Plant (a) | 0.1 |  |  | 0.8 |
Other | 81.1 |  |  | 77.7 |
Total Other Current Liabilities | $117.9 |  |  | $91.9 |
(a) 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 9. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.)
Other Non-Current Liabilities |  |  |
As of December 31 | 2024 |  | 2023
Millions |  |  |
Asset Retirement Obligation (a)(b) | $261.3 |  |  | $202.9 |
PSAs | 15.1 |  |  | 20.9 |
Other | 36.4 |  |  | 40.5 |
Total Other Non-Current Liabilities | $312.8 |  |  | $264.3 |
(a) The asset retirement obligation is primarily related to our Regulated Operations and is funded through customer rates over the life of the related assets. Additionally, BNI Energy funds its obligation through its cost-plus coal supply agreements for which BNI Energy has recorded a receivable of $42.3 million in Other Non-Current Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024 ($37.2 million as of December 31, 2023). (b) The increase in Asset Retirement Obligation in 2024 reflects the impact of estimated compliance costs related to the EPA’s CCR Legacy Impoundment Rule finalized in May 2024. (See Note 9. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.) 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 and finance leases are included in Other Non-Current Assets, Other Current Liabilities and Other Non-Current Liabilities, respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. 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 and finance 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 and finance lease right-of-use assets 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 are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for operating leases. Finance leases recognize interest expense using the interest expense method over the lease term and amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term, unless a buy out option is reasonably certain to be exercised, for which we then amortize on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the asset. 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 drag line 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. We have one finance lease for heavy equipment which includes a purchase option we are reasonably certain to exercise when the lease terminates. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Leases (Continued) Additional information on the components of lease cost and presentation of cash flows were as follows:
As December 31 | 2024 | 2023
Millions |  |
Operating Lease Cost | $5.4 |  | $5.0 |
Finance Lease Cost | $0.3 |  | $0.1 |
Other Information: |  |
Operating Cash Flows From Operating Leases | $5.4 |  | $5.0 |
Financing Cash Flows From Finance Leases | $0.4 |  | $0.2 |
Additional information related to leases were as follows:
As of December 31 | 2024 | 2023
Millions |  |
Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases: |  |
Operating Lease Other Non-Current Assets | $9.1 | $10.7
Finance Lease Other Non-Current Assets | 1.9 | 2.1
Total Lease Right-of-use Assets | $11.0 | $12.8
Operating Lease Other Current Liabilities | $3.2 | $3.0
Finance Lease Other Current Liabilities | 0.4 | 0.4
Operating Lease Other Non-Current Liabilities | 6.0 | 7.7
Finance Lease Other Non-Current Liabilities | 1.3 | 1.6
Total Lease Liabilities | $10.9 | $12.7
Income Statement Information Related to Leases: |  |
Operating Lease Rent Expense | $5.4 | $5.0
Finance Lease Interest Expense | 0.1 | —
Finance Lease Amortization Expense | 0.2 | 0.1
Total Operating and Finance Lease Expenses | $5.7 | $5.1
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years): |  |
Operating Leases - Vehicles and Equipment | 2 | 3
Operating Leases - Land and Other | 23 | 12
Finance Leases - Vehicles and Equipment | 4 | 5
Weighted Average Discount Rate: |  |
Operating Leases - Vehicles and Equipment | 4.0 | % | 4.0 | %
Operating Leases - Land and Other | 5.9 | % | 5.0 | %
Finance Leases - Vehicles and Equipment | 5.4 | % | 5.4 | %
NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Leases (Continued) Maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities as of December 31, 2024, were as follows:
Millions |  |  |  | Operating | Finance
2025 |  |  |  | $3.4 |  | $0.4 |
2026 |  |  |  | 3.3 |  | 0.4 |
2027 |  |  |  | 4.2 |  | 0.5 |
2028 |  |  |  | 0.3 |  | 0.6 |
2029 |  |  |  | 0.1 |  | — |
Thereafter |  |  |  | 3.4 |  | — |
Total Lease Payments Due |  |  |  | 14.7 |  | 1.9 |
Less: Imputed Interest |  |  |  | 5.5 |  | 0.2 |
Total Lease Obligations |  |  |  | 9.2 |  | 1.7 |
Less: Current Lease Obligations |  |  |  | 3.2 |  | 0.4 |
Total Long-term Lease Obligations |  |  |  | $6.0 |  | $1.3 |
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 9. 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 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 14 non-affiliated municipal customers in Minnesota under long-term wholesale electric contracts. One of these 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 expiring in 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 56 percent of total regulated utility kWh sales for the year ended December 31, 2024. 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, 2024. These contracts automatically renew past the contract term unless a four-year written notice is given. Large Power Customer contracts have earliest termination dates ranging from 2028 through 2029. 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 $60 million per annum through 2028 and approximately $10 million in 2029, 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. ECO Financial incentives reflects certain revenue that is a result of the achievement of certain objectives for our ECO 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. ECO 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 2027 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. 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. Sale of Renewable Development Projects includes revenue recognized from development only and development plus construction type projects that are sold to a customer. For development only projects, revenue is recognized at point in time when all required development responsibilities have been completed and ownership has transferred to the customer. For development plus construction, the transaction price is allocated to two performance obligations based upon the standalone selling price of each obligation. Revenue is recognized on the development performance obligation upon satisfying all required development activities and ownership transferring to the customer. Revenue for the construction performance obligation is recognized over time based on construction costs incurred, beginning at notice to proceed through the commercial operation date. Other primarily includes revenue from BNI Energy unrelated to coal, revenue from New Energy for asset management services and non-development activities, 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 days 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, 2024, we have $15.9 million of assets recognized for costs incurred to obtain contracts with our customers ($18.5 million as of December 31, 2023). 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 $2.4 million of non-cash amortization for the year ended December 31, 2024 ($2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023). 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 and solar 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 ownership percentage 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 or defined time period is met, 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 and Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest. Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries and redeemable non-controlling interest represent the portion of equity ownership, net income (loss), and comprehensive income (loss) in subsidiaries that is not attributable to equity holders of ALLETE. Non-controlling Interest in Subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, are 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. Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, is related to a tax equity financing entered into in the fourth quarter of 2023 for certain New Energy solar energy facilities totaling 14 MW. This tax equity financing is classified as redeemable non-controlling interest as the redemption price and date are fixed and determinable. For those wind and solar 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. 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 and solar 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 as either Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries or Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) 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 and redeemable non-controlling interest 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, investment tax credits 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 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022
Millions |  |  |
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Non-Service Credit (a) | $13.6 |  | $8.9 |  | $9.8 |
Interest and Investment Income (b) | 4.0 |  | 10.3 |  | — |
AFUDC - Equity | 5.0 |  | 3.6 |  | 2.7 |
Gain on Land Sales | 0.1 |  | 0.2 |  | — |
PSA Liability (c) | — |  | — |  | 10.2 |
Gain on Arbitration Award (d) | — |  | 58.4 |  | — |
Other Income (Expense) | 0.3 |  | 3.6 |  | (0.3) |
Total Other Income (Expense) - Other | $23.0 |  | $85.0 |  | $22.4 |
(a)These are components of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost other than service cost. (See Note 12. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans.) (b)Interest and Investment Income for the year ended December 31, 2023, reflects $5.1 million of interest income related to interest awarded as part of an arbitration ruling involving a subsidiary of ALLETE Clean Energy. (See Note 9. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.) (c)The gain on removal of the PSA liability for the Northern Wind project upon decommissioning of the legacy wind energy facility assets, which was more than offset by a reserve for an anticipated loss on the sale of the Northern Wind project that was recorded in Cost of Sales - Non-Utility on the Consolidated Statement of Income. (d)This reflects a gain recognized for the favorable outcome of an arbitration ruling involving a subsidiary of ALLETE Clean Energy. (See Note 9. Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies.) 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. NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) 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. Tax credits are recorded when earned unless there is a requirement to defer the benefit and amortize it over the book depreciable lives of the related property. The requirement to defer and amortize tax credits only applies to federal credits related to public utility 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 11. 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. New Accounting Standards. Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07). ASU 2023-07 requires that an entity provide enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, among other disclosures. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and this Form 10-K includes the required disclosures. We expect to provide enhanced disclosures for quarterly periods beginning in 2025. Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09). ASU 2023-09 was issued to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures by disclosing specific categories in the rate reconciliation as well as providing additional information for reconciling items above a threshold. It also requires disclosure about certain income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. We do not anticipate ASU 2023-09 having a material effect on the presentation of ALLETE’s consolidated financial statements. Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. In November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (ASU 2024-03). ASU 2024-03 was issued to improve expense disclosures by providing more detailed information about the types of expenses in commonly presented expense captions. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 25, 2026, and quarterly periods beginning after December 15, 2027. We do not anticipate ASU 2024-03 having a material effect on the presentation of ALLETE’s consolidated financial statements. SEC Climate-related Disclosures Rule. On March 6, 2024, the SEC issued the final rules regarding the enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors (Rule). The Rule requires registrants to provide certain climate-related information in their annual reports and registration statements. These requirements include disclosing climate-related risks that materially affect or are reasonably likely to materially affect a registrant’s business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition as well as certain disclosures related to greenhouse-gas emissions, and the effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions. The Rule provides that the disclosure requirements will begin phasing in for annual periods beginning in 2025. The Company is evaluating the final rule to determine its impact on the Company’s disclosures. The Rule is currently being challenged before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (Eighth Circuit Court), and the SEC issued a voluntary stay of the Rule on April 4, 2024, pending judicial review. There are no other new accounting standards that we anticipate having a material effect on the presentation of ALLETE’s consolidated financial statements.

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