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Employee Benefit Plans Employee Benefit Plans 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits |  |  |  |
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost: |  |  |  |
Service cost | $ 5,094 |  | $ 6,276 | $ 5,643
Interest cost | 7,910 |  | 7,686 | 7,520
Expected return on plan assets | (9,838) |  | (9,795) | (8,898)
Amortization of transition | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) | 49 |  | 118 | 118
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss | 911 |  | 1,790 | 0
Net periodic pension cost under accounting standards | 4,126 |  | 6,075 | 4,383
Regulatory adjustment - over collection | (859) |  | (523) | (1,622)
Total expense recognized, before allocation to overhead pool | $ 4,985 |  | $ 6,598 | $ 6,005
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost: |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 4.65% |  | 4.25% | 5.10%
Expected long-term return on plan assets | 7.00% |  | 7.00% | 7.00%
Rate of compensation increase |  |  | 4.00% | 4.00%
Expected long-term return on plan assets | 7.00% |  | 7.00% | 7.00%
Post-Retirement Medical Benefits |  |  |  |
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost: |  |  |  |
Service cost | $ 247 |  | $ 340 | $ 348
Interest cost | 371 |  | 435 | 495
Expected return on plan assets | (489) |  | (493) | (453)
Amortization of transition | 0 |  | 0 | 418
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) | (34) |  | (200) | (200)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss | (701) |  | (316) | (330)
Net periodic pension cost under accounting standards | (606) |  | (234) | 278
Regulatory adjustment - over collection | 0 |  | 0 | 0
Total expense recognized, before allocation to overhead pool | $ (606) |  | $ (234) | $ 278
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost: |  |  |  |
Discount rate | 4.25% |  | 3.80% | 4.65%
Union plan |  |  |  |
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost: |  |  |  |
Expected long-term return on plan assets | 7.00% | [1] | 7.00% | 7.00%
Expected long-term return on plan assets | 7.00% | [1] | 7.00% | 7.00%
Non-union plan |  |  |  |
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost: |  |  |  |
Expected long-term return on plan assets | 4.20% | [1] | 4.20% | 4.20%
Expected long-term return on plan assets | 4.20% | [1] | 4.20% | 4.20%
Minimum | Pension Benefits |  |  |  |
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost: |  |  |  |
Rate of compensation increase | 3.00% |  |  |
Maximum | Pension Benefits |  |  |  |
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost: |  |  |  |
Rate of compensation increase | 8.00% |  |  |
[1] | *7.0% for union plan, 4.2% for non-union, net of income taxes in 2016, 2015 and 2014.

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- Definition The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Prior Service Cost -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49177896 + Details
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- Definition The amount of the transition obligation or asset recognized in net periodic benefit cost. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(6) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Expected rate of compensation increases (for pay-related plans). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (k)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (k)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512046 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (k)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Expected rate of compensation increases (for pay-related plans). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (k)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512171 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (j) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Service Cost (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6525008 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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