Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Overview Otter Tail Corporation (OTC) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company", "us", "our" or "we") form a diverse, multi-platform business consisting of a vertically integrated, regulated utility with generation, transmission and distribution facilities complemented by manufacturing businesses providing metal fabrication for custom machine parts and metal components, manufacturing of extruded and thermoformed plastic products, and manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe products. We classify our business into three segments: Electric, Manufacturing and Plastics. Basis of Presentation The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, we have included all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements for the periods presented. The consolidated financial statements and condensed notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Because of the seasonality of our businesses and other factors, the earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2024 should not be taken as an indication of earnings for all or any part of the balance of the current year or as an indication of earnings for future years. Use of Estimates We use estimates based on the best information available in recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations. As better information becomes available or actual amounts are known, the recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, operating results can be affected by revisions to prior accounting estimates. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of amounts previously reported have been made to the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows to maintain consistency and comparability between periods presented. Other, net operating cash flows previously reported for the three months ended March 31, 2023, included $1.8 million of investment gains, which are presented separately in the current period, and excluded $0.2 million of allowance for equity funds used during construction, which were previously presented separately. The reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net cash provided by operating activities, net cash used in investing activities, net cash used in financing activities, or cash and cash equivalents. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Segment Reporting. In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued amended authoritative guidance codified in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 280, Segment Reporting. The amended guidance expands annual and interim disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through expanded disclosures about significant segment expenses. The updated standard is effective for our annual periods beginning in 2024 and interim periods beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Adoption of the amended guidance must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on our financial statement disclosures. Income Taxes. In December 2023, the FASB issued amended authoritative guidance codified in ASC 740, Income Taxes. The amended guidance requires additional disaggregated information in effective tax rate reconciliation disclosures and additional disaggregated information about income taxes paid. The updated standard is effective for our annual periods beginning in 2025. The amended guidance is to be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on our financial statement disclosures.