EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 72909
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 72909_10-K_2025_0000072909-25-000004.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1 - BUSINESS
Definitions of Abbreviations
Xcel Energy Inc.’s Subsidiaries and Affiliates (current and former)
e prime e prime inc.
NSP-Minnesota Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation
NSP System The electric production and transmission system of NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin operated on an integrated basis and managed by NSP-Minnesota
NSP-Wisconsin Northern States Power Company, a Wisconsin corporation
PSCo Public Service Company of Colorado
SPS Southwestern Public Service Company
Utility subsidiaries NSP-Minnesota, NSP-Wisconsin, PSCo and SPS
Xcel Energy Xcel Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries
Federal and State Regulatory Agencies
DOE United States Department of Energy
DOT Department of Transportation
EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
FASB Financial accounting standards board
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
IRS Internal Revenue Service
MPSC Michigan Public Service Commission
NERC North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
PHMSA Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
PSCW Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission
Other
AFUDC Allowance for funds used during construction
ARO Asset retirement obligation
ASU Accounting standards update
C&I Commercial and industrial
CapX2020 Alliance of electric cooperatives, municipals and investor-owned utilities in the upper Midwest involved in a joint transmission line planning and construction effort
CCR Coal combustion residuals
CCR Rule Final rule (40 CFR 257.50 - 257.107) published by the EPA regulating the management, storage and disposal of CCRs as a nonhazardous waste
CEO Chief executive officer
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
CFO Chief financial officer
CO2
Carbon dioxide
CWIP Construction work in progress
DSM Demand side management
EMANI European Mutual Association for Nuclear Insurance
ETR Effective tax rate
GAAP Generally accepted accounting principles
GHG Greenhouse gas
INPO Institute of Nuclear Power Operations
IRA Inflation Reduction Act
ISO Independent system operator
ITC Investment tax credit
MGP Manufactured gas plant
MISO Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
NAV Net asset value
NEIL Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd.
NOL Net operating loss
O&M Operating and maintenance
ONES Operations, Nuclear, Environmental and Safety
PFAS Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Post-65 Post-Medicare
PPA Purchased power agreement
Pre-65 Pre-Medicare
PTC Production tax credit
RDF Refuse-derived fuel
REC Renewable energy credit
ROE Return on equity
RTO Regional transmission organization
SERP Supplemental executive retirement plan
TCJA 2017 federal tax reform enacted as Public Law No: 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Measurements
Bcf Billion cubic feet
KV Kilovolts
KWh Kilowatt hours
MMBtu Million British thermal units
MW Megawatts
MWh Megawatt hours
Where to Find More Information
NSP-Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. and Xcel Energy’s website address is www.xcelenergy.com. Xcel Energy makes available, free of charge through its website, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after the reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically at http://www.sec.gov. The information on Xcel Energy’s website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference in, this annual report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical statements contained in this report, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements, including those relating to future sales, future expenses, future tax rates, future operating performance, estimated base capital expenditures and financing plans, projected capital additions and forecasted annual revenue requirements with respect to rider filings, expected rate increases to customers, expectations and intentions regarding regulatory proceedings, expected pension contributions and expected impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of interest rate changes, increased credit exposure and legal proceeding outcomes, as well as assumptions and other statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information. The following factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2024 (including risk factors listed from time to time by NSP-Wisconsin in reports filed with the SEC, including “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K), could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: operational safety; successful long-term operational planning; commodity risks associated with energy markets and production; rising energy prices and fuel costs; qualified employee workforce and third-party contractor factors; violations of our Codes of Conduct; our ability to recover costs; changes in regulation; reductions in our credit ratings and the cost of maintaining certain contractual relationships; general economic conditions, including recessionary conditions, inflation rates, monetary fluctuations, supply chain constraints and their impact on capital expenditures and/or the ability of NSP-Wisconsin to obtain financing on favorable terms; availability or cost of capital; our customers’ and counterparties’ ability to pay their debts to us; assumptions and costs relating to funding our employee benefit plans and health care benefits; tax laws; uncertainty regarding epidemics; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; cybersecurity threats and data security breaches; seasonal weather patterns; changes in environmental laws and regulations; climate change and other weather events; natural disaster and resource depletion, including compliance with any accompanying legislative and regulatory changes; costs of potential regulatory penalties and wildfire damages in excess of liability insurance coverage; regulatory changes and/or limitations related to the use of natural gas as an energy source; challenging labor market conditions and our ability to attract and retain a qualified workforce; and our ability to execute on our strategies or achieve expectations related to environmental, social and governance matters including as a result of evolving legal, regulatory and other standards, processes, and assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs, the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon markets.
Overview
Electric customers 0.3 million NSP-Wisconsin was incorporated in 1901 under the laws of Wisconsin. NSP-Wisconsin conducts business in Wisconsin and Michigan and generates, purchases, transmits, distributes and sells electricity. NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin electric operations are managed on the NSP System. NSP-Wisconsin also purchases, transports, distributes and sells natural gas to retail customers and transports customer-owned natural gas.
Natural gas customers 0.1 million
Total assets $4.1 billion
Rate Base (estimated) $2.7 billion
GAAP ROE 8.98%
Electric generating capacity (owned) 500 MW
Gas storage capacity 4.3 Bcf
Electric transmission lines (conductor miles) 12,000 miles
Electric distribution lines (conductor miles) 28,000 miles
Natural gas transmission lines 3 miles
Natural gas distribution lines 3,000 miles
Electric Operations
Electric operations consist of energy supply, generation, transmission and distribution activities. NSP-Wisconsin had electric sales volume of 6,724 (millions of KWh), 0.3 million customers and electric revenues of $995 million for 2024.
Electric Operations (percentage of total) Sales Volume Number of Customers Revenues
Residential 28 % 85 % 28 %
C&I 72 15 47
Other <1 <1 25
Retail Sales/Revenue Statistics (a)
2024 2023
KWh sales per retail customer 24,661 25,536
Revenue per retail customer $ 2,780 $ 2,967
Residential revenue per KWh 15.05 ¢ 15.35 ¢
C&I revenue per KWh 9.71 ¢ 10.06 ¢
Total retail revenue per KWh 11.27 ¢ 11.62 ¢
(a)See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Owned and Purchased Energy Generation - 2024
Electric Energy Sources - NSP System
Total electric energy generation by source for the year ended Dec. 31:
Carbon-Free
The NSP System’s carbon-free energy portfolio includes nuclear, wind, hydroelectric, biomass and solar power from both owned generating facilities and PPAs. Carbon-free percentages will vary year over year based on system additions, commodity costs, weather, system demand and transmission constraints.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Wind
Wind capacity is shown as net maximum capacity. Net maximum capacity is attainable only when wind conditions are sufficiently available.
Owned - Owned and operated wind farms with corresponding capacity:
2024 2023
Wind Farms Capacity (MW) Wind Farms Capacity (MW)
17 2,445 17 2,444
PPAs - Number of PPAs with capacity range:
2024 2023
PPAs Range (MW) PPAs Range (MW)
116 1 - 206 120 1 - 206
Current contracted wind capacity for PPAs was 2,061 MW and 2,066 MW in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In 2024, the average cost of wind energy was $7 per MWh for owned generation and $32 per MWh under existing PPAs. In 2023, the average cost of wind energy was $7 per MWh for owned generation and $33 per MWh under existing PPAs. The cost of owned wind includes the impact of PTCs.
The NSP System currently has 350 MW of approved owned wind repowering projects under development, estimated to be completed in 2025.
Additionally, the NSP System anticipates 3,200 MW to be placed in service by 2030, as part of the recently approved Upper Midwest Resource Plan. The RFP process will start in 2025.
Solar
Owned - Owned and operated solar projects with corresponding capacity:
2024 2023
Solar Projects (a)
Capacity (MW) Solar Projects Capacity (MW)
1 223 - -
(a)NSP-Minnesota placed in service Sherco Solar 1 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Average cost per MWh will be available after a full year of operations.
PPAs - Solar PPAs capacity by type:
Type Capacity (MW)
Distributed Generation 1,461
Utility-Scale 349
Total 1,810
The average cost of solar energy under existing distributed and utility-scale generation PPAs was $100 per MWh and $90 per MWh in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Solar Development - The NSP System currently has 500 MW of owned solar approved at the Sherco site, which are expected to be placed in service in 2025 and 2026. Additionally, various PPAs totaling approximately 105 MW are expected to be completed throughout 2025. Incremental to this amount is 400 MW anticipated as part of the Upper Midwest Resource Plan, to be placed in service by 2030.
Nuclear
The NSP System has two nuclear plants (owned by NSP-Minnesota) with approximately 1,700 MW of total 2024 net summer dependable capacity that safely and reliably generates carbon free electricity for the NSP System. NSP-Minnesota secures contracts for uranium concentrates, uranium conversion, uranium enrichment and fuel fabrication to operate its nuclear plants. NSP-Minnesota uses varying contract lengths as well as multiple producers for uranium concentrates, conversion services and enrichment services to minimize potential impacts caused by supply interruptions due to geographical and world political issues.
Nuclear Fuel Cost - Delivered cost per MMBtu of nuclear fuel consumed for owned electric generation and the percentage of total fuel requirements (nuclear, natural gas and coal):
Nuclear
Cost Percent
2024 $ 0.83 43 %
2023 0.76 50
Other
The NSP System’s other carbon-free energy portfolio includes hydro from owned generating facilities.
The NSP System anticipates development of approximately 300 MW of storage capacity at the Sherco site, expected to be placed in service in 2027. Additionally, 600 MW of stand-alone storage are expected to be added as part of the Upper Midwest Resource Plan, to be placed in service by 2030.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Fossil Fuel
The NSP System’s fossil fuel energy portfolio includes coal and natural gas power from both owned generating facilities and PPAs.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Coal
The NSP System owns and operates coal units with approximately 1,700 MW of total capacity, which provided 10% of NSP System’s energy mix in 2024. All of these units are approved for retirement by 2030.
Approved early coal plant retirements:
Year Plant Unit Capacity (MW)
2026 Sherco 1 680
2028 A.S. King 511
2030 Sherco 3 517 (a)
(a)Based on the NSP System’s ownership percentage.
Coal Fuel Cost - Delivered cost per MMBtu of coal consumed for owned electric generation and the percentage of total fuel requirements (nuclear, natural gas and coal):
Coal (a)
Cost Percent
2024 $ 2.24 22 %
2023 $ 2.43 29 %
(a)Includes RDF and wood for the NSP System.
Natural Gas
The NSP System has seven natural gas plants with approximately 2,800 MW of total capacity, which provided 26% of NSP System’s energy mix in 2024.
Natural gas supplies, transportation and storage services for power plants are procured to provide an adequate supply of fuel. Remaining requirements are procured through a liquid spot market. Generally, natural gas supply contracts have variable pricing that is tied to natural gas indices. Natural gas supply and transportation agreements include obligations for the purchase and/or delivery of specified volumes or payments in lieu of delivery.
Natural Gas Cost - Delivered cost per MMBtu of natural gas consumed for owned electric generation and the percentage of total fuel requirements (nuclear, natural gas and coal):
Natural Gas
Cost Percent
2024 $ 1.94 35 %
2023 3.91 21
The NSP System anticipates the development of 700 MW of company owned natural gas generation expected to be placed in service between 2025 - 2028.
Capacity and Demand
Uninterrupted system peak demand and occurrence date:
2024 2023
MW Date MW Date
8,822 Aug. 26 9,231 Aug. 23
Transmission
Transmission lines deliver electricity over long distances from power sources to substations closer to customers. A strong transmission system ensures continued reliable and affordable service, ability to meet state and regional energy policy goals, and support for a diverse generation mix, including renewable energy. NSP-Wisconsin owns approximately 12,000 conductor miles of transmission lines across the NSP System service territory.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Distribution
Distribution lines allow electricity to travel at lower voltages from substations directly to customers. NSP-Wisconsin has a vast distribution network, owning and operating approximately 28,000 conductor miles of distribution lines across our service territory.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Natural Gas Operations
Natural gas operations consist of purchase, transportation, and distribution of natural gas to end-use residential, C&I and transport customers. NSP-Wisconsin had natural gas deliveries of 19,409 (thousands of MMBtu), 0.1 million customers and natural gas revenues of $135 million for 2024.
Natural Gas (percentage of total) Deliveries Number of Customers Revenues
Residential 33 % 89 % 54 %
C&I 40 11 40
Transportation and other 27 <1 6
Sales/Revenue Statistics (a)
2024 2023
MMBtu sales per retail customer 115 125
Revenue per retail customer $ 1,030 $ 1,212
Residential revenue per MMBtu 11.4 12.04
C&I revenue per MMBtu 7.00 7.70
Transportation and other revenue per MMBtu 1.13 0.65
(a)See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Capability and Demand
Natural gas supply requirements are categorized as firm or interruptible.
Maximum daily output (firm and interruptible) and occurrence date:
2024 2023
MMBtu Date MMBtu Date
163,246 Jan.17 158,029 Jan. 30
Natural Gas Supply and Cost
NSP-Wisconsin seeks natural gas supply, transportation and storage alternatives to yield a diversified portfolio, which increases flexibility and decreases interruption, financial risks and customer rates. In addition, NSP-Wisconsin conducts natural gas price hedging activities approved by its states’ commissions.
Average delivered cost per MMBtu of natural gas for regulated retail distribution:
2024 2023
$ 3.77 $ 5.26
NSP-Wisconsin has natural gas supply transportation and storage agreements that include obligations for purchase and/or delivery of specified volumes or to make payments in lieu of delivery.
General
General Economic Conditions
Economic conditions may have a material impact on NSP-Wisconsin’s operating results. Management cannot predict the impact of fluctuating energy or commodity prices, pandemics, terrorist activity, war or the threat of war. We could experience a material impact to our results of operations, future growth or ability to raise capital resulting from a sustained general slowdown in economic growth or a significant increase in interest rates or inflation.
Seasonality
Demand for electric power and natural gas is affected by seasonal differences in the weather. In general, peak sales of electricity occur in the summer months and peak sales of natural gas occur in the winter months. As a result, the overall operating results may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis. Additionally, NSP-Wisconsin’s operations have historically generated less revenues and income when weather conditions are warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Competition
NSP-Wisconsin is subject to public policies that promote competition and development of energy markets. NSP-Wisconsin’s industrial and large commercial customers have the ability to generate their own electricity. In addition, customers may have the option of substituting other fuels or relocating their facilities to a lower cost region.
Customers have the opportunity to supply their own power with distributed generation including solar generation and can currently avoid paying for most of the fixed production, transmission and distribution costs incurred to serve them.
Wisconsin has incentives for the development of rooftop solar, community solar gardens and other distributed energy resources. Distributed generating resources are potential competitors to NSP-Wisconsin’s electric service business with these incentives and federal tax subsidies.
FERC Order No. 1000 established competition for ownership of certain new electric transmission facilities under Federal regulations. Some states have state laws that allow the incumbent a Right of First Refusal to own these transmission facilities.
FERC Order 2222 requires that RTO and ISO markets allow participation of aggregations of distributed energy resources. This order is expected to incentivize distributed energy resource adoption, however implementation is expected to vary by RTO/ISO and the near, medium, and long-term impacts of Order 2222 remain unclear.
NSP-Wisconsin has franchise agreements with cities subject to periodic renewal; however, a city could seek alternative means to access electric power or gas, such as municipalization. No municipalization activities are occurring presently.
While facing these challenges, NSP-Wisconsin believes its rates and services are competitive with alternatives currently available.
Governmental Regulations
Public Utility Regulation
See Item 7 for discussion of public utility regulation.
Environmental Regulation
Our facilities are regulated by federal and state agencies that have jurisdiction over air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges, solid and hazardous wastes or substances. Certain NSP-Wisconsin activities require registrations, permits, licenses, inspections and approvals from these agencies.
NSP-Wisconsin has received necessary authorizations for the construction and continued operation of its generation, transmission and distribution systems. Our facilities strive to operate in compliance with applicable environmental standards and related monitoring and reporting requirements.
However, it is not possible to determine what additional facilities or modifications to existing or planned facilities will be required as a result of changes to regulations, interpretations or enforcement policies or what effect future laws or regulations may have. We may be required to incur expenditures in the future for remediation of historic and current operating sites and other waste treatment, storage and disposal sites.
There are significant environmental regulations to encourage use of clean energy technologies and regulate emissions of GHGs. NSP-Wisconsin has undertaken numerous initiatives to meet current requirements and prepare for potential future regulations, reduce GHG emissions and respond to state renewable and energy efficiency goals. Future environmental regulations may result in substantial costs.
Emerging Environmental Regulation
Clean Air Act
Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Regulations - In April 2024, the EPA published final rules addressing control of CO2 emissions from the power sector. The rules regulate new natural gas generating units and emission guidelines for existing coal and certain natural gas generation. The rules create subcategories of coal units based on planned retirement date and subcategories of natural gas combustion turbines and combined cycle units based on utilization. The CO2 control requirements vary by subcategory. Based on current estimates and assumptions, NSP-Wisconsin has determined that there is minimal financial or operational impact associated with these requirements.
Waste-to-Energy Air Regulations - In January 2024, the EPA proposed air regulations addressing new and existing large municipal waste combustors. The proposed rules lower current emission standards for certain pollutants and would require installation of new pollution controls and/or more intense use of existing pollution controls at French Island Generating Station. Until final rules are issued, it is not certain what the impact will be on NSP-Wisconsin. NSP-Wisconsin believes that the cost of these initiatives or replacement generation would be recoverable through rates based on prior state commission practices.
Emerging Contaminants of Concern
PFAS are man-made chemicals that are widely used in consumer products and can persist and bio-accumulate in the environment. Xcel Energy does not manufacture PFAS, but because PFAS are so ubiquitous in products and the environment, it may impact our operations.
In June 2024, the EPA finalized a rule that designated certain PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA. In July 2024, the EPA finalized another rule that set enforceable drinking water standards for certain PFAS.
Potential costs for these rules and any additional proposed regulations related to PFAS are uncertain and will be determined on a site-specific basis where applicable. If costs are incurred, NSP -Wisconsin believes the costs will be recoverable through rates based on prior state commission practices.
Other
Our operations are subject to workplace safety standards under the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (“OSHA”) and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of worker health and safety. In addition, the Company is subject to other government regulations impacting such matters as labor, competition, data privacy, etc. Based on information to date and because our policies and business practices are designed to comply with all applicable laws, we do not believe the effects of compliance on our operations, financial condition or cash flows are material.
Employees
As of Dec. 31, 2024, NSP-Wisconsin had 549 full-time employees and 14 part-time employees, of which 413 were covered under collective-bargaining agreements.

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS
Xcel Energy, which includes NSP-Wisconsin, is subject to a variety of risks, many of which are beyond our control. Risks that may adversely affect the business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows are described below. Although the risks are organized by heading, and each risk is described separately, many of the risks are interrelated. These risks should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and future reports that NSP-Wisconsin files with the SEC.
While we believe we have identified and discussed below the key risk factors affecting our business, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known or that are not currently believed to be significant that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future.
Oversight of Risk and Related Processes
NSP-Wisconsin’s Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight of material risk and maintaining an effective risk monitoring process. Management and the Board of Directors have responsibility for overseeing the identification and mitigation of key risks.
NSP-Wisconsin maintains a robust compliance program and promotes a culture of compliance beginning with the tone at the top. The risk mitigation process includes adherence to our Code of Conduct and compliance policies, operation of formal risk management structures and overall business management. NSP-Wisconsin further mitigates inherent risks through formal risk committees and corporate functions such as internal audit, and internal controls over financial reporting and legal.
Management identifies and analyzes risks to determine materiality and other attributes such as timing, probability and controllability. Identification and risk analysis occurs formally through risk assessment conducted by senior management, the financial disclosure process, hazard risk procedures, internal audit and compliance with financial and operational controls. Management also identifies and analyzes risk through the business planning process, development of goals and establishment of key performance indicators, including identification of barriers to implementing our strategy. The business planning process also identifies likelihood and mitigating factors to prevent the assumption of inappropriate risk to meet goals.
Management communicates regularly with the Board of Directors and its sole stockholder regarding risk. Senior management presents and communicates a periodic risk assessment to the Board of Directors providing information on the risks that management believes are material, including financial impact, timing, likelihood and mitigating factors. The Board of Directors regularly reviews management’s key risk assessments, which includes areas of existing and future macroeconomic, financial, operational, policy, environmental, safety and security risks.
The oversight, management and mitigation of risk is an integral and continuous part of the Board of Directors’ governance of NSP-Wisconsin. Processes are in place to confirm appropriate risk oversight, as well as identification and consideration of new risks.
Risks Associated with Our Business
Operational Risks
Our natural gas and electric generation/transmission and distribution operations involve numerous risks that may result in accidents and other operating risks and costs.
Our natural gas transmission and distribution activities include inherent hazards and operating risks, such as leaks, explosions, outages and mechanical problems. Our electric generation, transmission and distribution activities include inherent hazards and operating risks such as contact, fire and outages.
These risks could result in loss of life, significant property damage, environmental pollution, impairment of our operations and substantial financial losses to customers, the public, employees or third-party contractors. We maintain insurance against most, but not all, of these risks and losses. The occurrence of these events, if not fully covered by insurance, could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as well as potential reputational impact.
Other uncertainties and risks inherent in operating and maintaining NSP-Wisconsin's facilities include, but are not limited to:
•Risks associated with facility start-up operations, such as whether the facility will achieve projected operating performance on schedule and otherwise as planned.
•Failures in the availability, acquisition or transportation of fuel or other supplies.
•Impact of adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, including, wildfires, tornadoes, avalanches, icing events, floods, high winds, droughts and the availability or changes to wind patterns.
•Performance below expected or contracted levels of output or efficiency.
•Availability of replacement or new equipment.
•Availability of adequate water resources and ability to satisfy water intake and discharge requirements.
•Inability to identify, manage properly or mitigate equipment defects.
•Use of new or unproven technology.
•Inability to use information effectively given the rapidly increasing volume of data.
•Risks associated with dependence on a specific type of fuel or fuel source, such as commodity price risk, availability of adequate fuel supply and transportation and lack of available alternative fuel sources.
•Increased competition due to, among other factors, new facilities, excess supply, shifting demand and regulatory changes.
•Increased costs due to aging infrastructure.
Additionally, compliance with existing and potential new regulations related to the operation and maintenance of our natural gas infrastructure could result in significant costs. The PHMSA is responsible for administering the DOT’s national regulatory program to assure the safe transportation of natural gas, petroleum and other hazardous materials by pipelines. The PHMSA continues to develop regulations and other approaches to risk management to assure safety in design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance and emergency response of natural gas pipeline infrastructure. We have programs in place to comply with these regulations and systematically monitor and renew infrastructure over time, however, a significant incident or material finding of non-compliance could result in penalties and higher costs of operations.
Our natural gas and electric transmission and distribution operations are dependent upon complex information technology systems and network infrastructure, the failure of which could disrupt our normal business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to process transactions and provide services.
Our utility operations are subject to long-term planning and project risks.
Most utility investments are planned to be used for decades. Transmission and generation investments typically have long lead times and are planned well in advance of in-service dates and typically subject to long-term resource plans. These plans are based on numerous assumptions such as: sales growth, customer usage, commodity prices, economic activity, costs, regulatory mechanisms, customer behavior, available technology and public policy. Our long-term resource plan is dependent on our ability to obtain required approvals (including regulatory approval in jurisdictions where NSP-Wisconsin operates), develop necessary technical expertise, allocate and coordinate sufficient resources and adhere to budgets and timelines.
In addition, the long-term nature of both our planning processes and our asset lives are subject to risk. The utility sector is undergoing significant change (e.g., increases in energy efficiency, wider adoption of distributed generation and shifts away from fossil fuel generation to renewable generation). Customer adoption of these technologies and increased energy efficiency could result in excess transmission and generation resources, downward pressure on sales growth, and potentially stranded costs if we are not able to fully recover costs and investments.
The magnitude and timing of resource additions and changes in customer demand may not coincide with evolving customer preference for generation resources and end-uses, which introduces further uncertainty into long-term planning. Efforts to electrify the transportation and building sectors to reduce GHG emissions may result in higher electric demand and lower natural gas demand over time. New data centers and crypto mining facilities could generate significant increase in demand. Higher electric demand may require us to adopt new technologies and make significant generation, transmission and distribution investments including advanced grid infrastructure, which increases exposure to overall grid instability and technology obsolescence. Evolving stakeholder preference for lower emissions from generation sources and end-uses, like heating, may impact our resource mix and put pressure on our ability to recover capital investments in natural gas generation and delivery. Multiple states may not agree as to the appropriate resource mix, which may lead to costs to comply with one jurisdiction that are not recoverable across all jurisdictions served by the same assets.
We require inputs such as coal, natural gas, uranium and water. Lack of availability of these resources could jeopardize long-term operations of our facilities or make them uneconomic to operate.
Our utility operations are highly dependent on suppliers to deliver components in accordance with short and long-term project schedules.
Our products contain components that are globally sourced from suppliers. A shortage of key components in which an alternative supplier is not identified could significantly impact operations and project plans for NSP-Wisconsin and our customers. Such impacts could include timing of projects and the potential for project cancellation. Failure to adhere to project budgets and timelines could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are subject to physical and financial risks associated with climate change and other weather, natural disaster and resource depletion impacts.
Climate change can create physical and financial risk. Physical risks include changes in weather conditions and extreme weather events. Our customers’ energy needs vary with weather. To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, customers’ energy use could increase or decrease. Increased energy use due to weather changes over the long-term may require us to invest in generating assets, transmission and infrastructure. Decreased energy use due to weather changes may result in decreased revenues.
Severe weather impacts our service territories, primarily when thunderstorms, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, snow, ice storms or extreme temperatures (high heating/cooling days) occur. Extreme weather conditions in general require system backup and can contribute to increased system stress, including service interruptions. Extreme weather conditions creating high energy demand may raise electricity prices, increasing the cost of energy we provide to our customers.
To the extent the frequency of extreme weather events increases, this could increase our cost of providing service and result in more frequent service interruptions. Periods of extreme temperatures could also impact our ability to meet demand.
Drought or water depletion could adversely impact our ability to provide electricity to customers, cause early retirement of power plants that require water or increase the cost for energy.
Adverse events may result in increased insurance costs and/or decreased insurance availability. We may not recover all costs related to mitigating these physical and financial risks.
Our utilities have physical and financial risks associated with wildfires.
In recent years, wildfires have impacted the utility industry. More frequent and severe drought conditions, extreme swings in amount and timing of precipitation, changes in vegetation, unseasonably warm temperatures, very low humidity, stronger winds and other factors have increased the duration of the wildfire season and the potential impact of an event. Also, the expansion of the wildland urban interface increases the wildfire risk to surrounding communities and NSP-Wisconsin's electric and natural gas infrastructure. Wildfires could jeopardize NSP-Wisconsin’s electric and gas infrastructure and third-party property and result in temporary power outages or shortages in our service territories.
We have programs in place to mitigate the physical and financial risks associated with wildfires; however, NSP-Wisconsin’s wildfire mitigation initiatives may not be successful or effective in preventing or reducing wildfire-related losses. Wildfires can occur even when NSP-Wisconsin follows its procedures and implements its wildfire mitigation initiatives.
Other potential risks associated with wildfires and other climate events include the inability to secure sufficient insurance coverage, increased costs of insurance, or ability for insurers to meet their obligations, regulatory recovery risk, and the potential for a credit downgrade and subsequent additional costs to access capital markets.
While we carry liability insurance, given an extreme event, if NSP-Wisconsin was found to be liable for wildfire damages, amounts could potentially exceed our coverage and negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are subject to commodity risks and other risks associated with energy markets and energy production.
A significant increase in fuel costs could cause a decline in customer demand, adverse regulatory outcomes and an increase in bad debt expense which may have a material impact on our results of operations. Despite existing fuel cost recovery mechanisms, higher fuel costs could significantly impact our results of operations if costs are not recovered. Delays in the timing of the collection of fuel cost recoveries could impact our cash flows and liquidity.
A significant disruption in supply could cause us to seek alternatives at potentially higher costs. Additionally, supply shortages may not be fully resolved, which negatively impacts our ability to provide services to our customers. Failure to provide service due to disruptions may also result in fines, penalties or cost disallowances through the regulatory process. Also, significantly higher energy or fuel costs relative to sales commitments negatively impacts our cash flows and results of operations.
We also engage in wholesale sales and purchases of electric capacity, energy and energy-related products as well as natural gas. In many markets, emission allowances and/or RECs are also needed to comply with various statutes and commission rulings. As a result, we are subject to market supply and commodity price risk.
Commodity price changes can affect the value of our commodity trading derivatives. We mark certain derivatives to estimated fair market value on a daily basis. Settlements can vary significantly from estimated fair values recorded and significant changes from the assumptions underlying our fair value estimates could cause earnings variability. The management of risks associated with hedging and trading is based, in part, on programs and procedures which utilize historical prices and trends.
Public perception often does not distinguish between pass through commodity costs and base rates. High commodity prices that are passed through to customer bills could impact our ability to recover costs for other improvements and operations.
Due to the uncertainty involved in price movements and potential deviation from historical pricing, NSP-Wisconsin is unable to fully assure that its risk management programs and procedures would be effective to protect against all significant adverse market deviations. In addition, NSP-Wisconsin cannot fully assure that its controls will be effective against all potential risks. If such programs and procedures are not effective, NSP-Wisconsin’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows could be materially impacted.
Failure to attract and retain a qualified workforce could have an adverse effect on operations.
The competition for talent has become increasingly prevalent, and we have experienced increased employee turnover due to the condition of the labor market and decisions related to strategic workforce planning. In addition, specialized knowledge and skills are required for many of our positions, which may pose additional difficulty for us as we work to recruit, retain and motivate employees in this climate.
Failure to hire, adequately train replacement employees, transfer knowledge/expertise or future availability and cost of contract labor may adversely affect the ability to manage and operate our business. Inability to attract and retain these employees could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our businesses have collective bargaining agreements with labor unions. Failure to renew or renegotiate these contracts could lead to labor disruptions, including strikes or boycotts. Such disruptions or any negotiated wage or benefit increases could have a material adverse impact to our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
National unionization efforts could affect our business, as an increase in unionized workers could challenge our operational efficiency and increase costs.
Our operations use third-party contractors in addition to employees to perform periodic and ongoing work.
We rely on third-party contractors to perform operations, maintenance and construction work. Our contractual arrangements with these contractors typically include performance and safety standards, progress payments, insurance requirements and security for performance. Poor vendor performance or contractor unavailability could impact ongoing operations, restoration operations, regulatory recovery and our reputation and could introduce financial risk or risks of fines.
Our employees, directors, third-party contractors, or suppliers may violate or be perceived to violate our Codes of Conduct, which could have an adverse effect on our reputation.
We are exposed to risk of employee or third-party contractor fraud or misconduct. All employees and members of the Board of Directors are subject to compliance with our Code of Conduct and are required to participate in annual training. Additionally, suppliers are subject to compliance with our Supplier Code of Conduct. NSP-Wisconsin does not tolerate discrimination, violations of our Code of Conduct or other unacceptable behaviors. However, it is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees and other third-parties, which may result in governmental investigations, other actions or lawsuits. If such actions are taken against us, we may suffer loss of reputation and such actions could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Although we do not own any nuclear generating facilities, because our production and transmission system is operated on an integrated basis with NSP-Minnesota’s (an affiliate of NSP-Wisconsin) production and transmission system, we may be subject to risks associated with NSP-Minnesota’s nuclear generation.
NSP-Minnesota has two nuclear generation plants, Prairie Island and Monticello. Risks of nuclear generation include:
•Hazards associated with the use of radioactive material in energy production, including management, handling, storage and disposal.
•Limitations on insurance available to cover losses that may arise in connection with nuclear operations, as well as obligations to contribute to an insurance pool in the event of damages at a covered U.S. reactor.
•Technological and financial uncertainties related to the costs of decommissioning nuclear plants may cause our funding obligations to change.
The NRC has authority to impose licensing and safety-related requirements for the operation of nuclear generation facilities, including the ability to impose fines and/or shut down a unit until compliance is achieved. NRC safety requirements could necessitate substantial capital expenditures or an increase in operating expenses. In addition, the INPO reviews NSP-Minnesota’s nuclear operations. Compliance with the INPO’s recommendations could result in substantial capital expenditures or a substantial increase in operating expenses.
If a nuclear incident did occur, it could have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Furthermore, non-compliance or the occurrence of a serious incident at other nuclear facilities could result in increased industry regulation, which may increase NSP-Minnesota’s compliance costs.
We share in the electric production and transmission costs of the NSP-Minnesota system, which is integrated with our system. Accordingly, our costs may be increased due to increased costs associated with NSP-Minnesota’s system.
Our electric production and transmission system is managed on an integrated basis with the electric production and transmission system of NSP-Minnesota. Pursuant to the Interchange Agreement between NSP-Minnesota and us, we share, on a proportional basis, all costs related to the generation and transmission facilities of the entire integrated NSP System, including capital costs. Accordingly, if the costs to operate the NSP System increase, or revenue decreases, whether as a result of state or federally mandated improvements or otherwise, our costs could also increase and our revenues could decrease and we cannot guarantee a full recovery of such costs through our rates at the time the costs are incurred.
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. Xcel Energy Inc. can exercise substantial control over our dividend policy and business and operations and may exercise that control in a manner that may be perceived to be adverse to our interests.
All of the members of our Board of Directors, as well as many of our executive officers, are officers of Xcel Energy Inc. Our Board of Directors makes determinations with respect to a number of significant corporate events, including the payment of our dividends.
We have historically paid quarterly dividends to Xcel Energy Inc. If Xcel Energy Inc.’s cash requirements increase, our Board of Directors could decide to increase the dividends we pay to Xcel Energy Inc. to help support Xcel Energy Inc.’s cash needs. This could adversely affect our liquidity. The most restrictive dividend limitation for NSP-Wisconsin is imposed by our state regulatory commission. NSP-Wisconsin cannot pay annual dividends in excess of certain amounts if its calendar year average equity-to-total capitalization ratio is or falls below the state commission authorized level.
See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Financial Risks
Our profitability depends on our ability to recover costs, and changes in regulation may impair our ability to recover costs from our customers.
We are subject to comprehensive regulation by federal and state utility regulatory agencies, including siting and construction of facilities, customer service and the rates that we can charge customers.
The profitability of our operations is dependent on our ability to recover the costs of providing energy and utility services and earn a return on capital investment. Our rates are generally regulated and are based on an analysis of our costs incurred in a test year. We are subject to future test years. Thus, the rates we are allowed to charge may or may not match our costs at any given time. Rate regulation is premised on providing an opportunity to earn a reasonable rate of return on invested capital.
There can also be no assurance that our regulatory commissions will judge all our costs to be prudent, which could result in disallowances, or that the regulatory process will always result in rates that will produce full recovery.
Overall, management believes prudently incurred costs are recoverable given the existing regulatory framework. However, there may be changes in the regulatory environment that could impair our ability to recover costs historically collected from customers, or we could exceed caps on capital costs required by commissions and result in less than full recovery.
Changes in the long-term cost-effectiveness or to the operating conditions of our assets may result in early retirements of utility facilities. While regulation typically provides cost recovery for these types of changes, there is no assurance that regulators would allow full recovery of all remaining costs.
Higher than expected inflation, shortages of skilled labor, tariffs or federal policies may increase costs of construction and operations. Also, rising fuel costs could increase prices to consumers, all of which could increase the risk that we will not be able to fully recover their costs from our customers.
Adverse regulatory rulings (including changes in recovery mechanisms) or the imposition of additional regulations could negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Any reductions in our credit ratings could increase our financing costs and the cost of maintaining certain contractual relationships.
Our credit ratings are subject to change, and our credit ratings may be lowered or withdrawn by a rating agency. Significant events including disallowance of costs, use of historic test years, elimination of riders or interim rates, increasing depreciation lives, lower returns on equity, changes to equity ratios, impacts of tax policy and unfavorable litigation outcomes may impact our cash flows and credit metrics, potentially resulting in a change in our credit ratings. In addition, our credit ratings may change as a result of the differing methodologies or change in the methodologies used by the various rating agencies.
Any credit ratings downgrade could lead to higher borrowing costs or lower proceeds from equity issuances. It could also impact our ability to access capital markets. Also, we may enter into contracts that require posting of collateral or settlement if credit ratings fall below investment grade. The credit rating agencies may change their assessment or our regulatory or business risk, such as with the increase of climate events, which could negatively impact our credit ratings.
We are subject to capital market and interest rate risks.
Utility operations require significant capital investment. As a result, we frequently need to access capital markets. Any disruption in capital markets could have a material impact on our ability to fund our operations. Capital market disruption and financial market distress could prevent us from issuing commercial paper, issuing new securities or cause us to issue securities with unfavorable terms and conditions, such as higher interest rates or lower proceeds from equity issuances. Higher interest rates on short-term borrowings with variable interest rates could also have an adverse effect on our operating results.
We are subject to credit risks.
Credit risk includes the risk that our customers will not pay their bills, which may lead to a reduction in our cash flows and liquidity and an increase in bad debt expense. Credit risk is comprised of numerous factors including the price of products and services provided, the overall economy and unemployment rates.
Credit risk also includes the risk that counterparties that owe us money or product will become insolvent and may breach their obligations. Should the counterparties fail to perform, we may be forced to enter into alternative arrangements. In that event, our financial results could be adversely affected, and we may incur losses. This could be particularly impactful for long-lead time equipment contracts that require significant deposits and milestone payments, for items that may be difficult to procure elsewhere in the event of non-performance.
We may have direct credit exposure in our short-term wholesale and commodity trading activity to financial institutions trading for their own accounts or issuing collateral support on behalf of other counterparties. We may also have some indirect credit exposure due to participation in organized markets, (e.g., MISO), in which any credit losses are socialized to all market participants.
We have additional indirect credit exposure to financial institutions from letters of credit provided as security by power suppliers under various purchased power contracts. If any of the credit ratings of the letter of credit issuers were to drop below investment grade, the supplier would need to replace that security with an acceptable substitute. If the security were not replaced, the party could be in default under the contract.
As we are a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., we may be negatively affected by events impacting the credit or liquidity of Xcel Energy Inc. and its affiliates.
If either Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings or Moody’s Investor Services were to downgrade Xcel Energy Inc.’s debt securities below investment grade, it would increase Xcel Energy Inc.’s cost of capital and restrict its access to the capital markets. This could limit Xcel Energy Inc.’s ability to contribute equity or make loans to us or may cause Xcel Energy Inc. to seek additional or accelerated funding from us in the form of dividends. If such event were to occur, we may need to seek alternative sources of funds to meet our cash needs.
As of Dec. 31, 2024, Xcel Energy Inc. and its utility subsidiaries had approximately $27.3 billion of long-term debt and $1.8 billion of short-term debt and current maturities. Xcel Energy Inc. provides various guarantees and bond indemnities supporting some of its subsidiaries by guaranteeing the payment or performance by these subsidiaries for specified agreements or transactions. Xcel Energy also has other contingent liabilities resulting from various tax disputes and other matters.
Xcel Energy Inc.’s exposure under the guarantees is based upon the net liability of the relevant subsidiary under the specified agreements or transactions. The majority of Xcel Energy Inc.’s guarantees limit its exposure to a maximum amount that is stated in the guarantees.
As of Dec. 31, 2024, Xcel Energy had the following guarantees outstanding:
•$951 million for performance and payment of Capital Services, LLC contracts for wind and solar generating equipment, with immaterial exposure.
•$29 million for performance on operating lease agreements, with $29 million of exposure.
•$93 million for performance and payment of surety bonds for the benefit of itself and its subsidiaries, with total exposure that cannot be estimated at this time.
If Xcel Energy Inc. were to become obligated to make payments under these guarantees and bond indemnities or become obligated to fund other contingent liabilities, it could limit Xcel Energy Inc.’s ability to contribute equity or make loans to us, or may cause Xcel Energy Inc. to seek additional or accelerated funding from us in the form of dividends. If such event were to occur, we may need to seek alternative sources of funds to meet our cash needs.
Increasing costs of our defined benefit retirement plans and employee benefits may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We have defined benefit pension and postretirement plans that cover most of our employees. Assumptions related to future costs, return on investments, interest rates and other actuarial assumptions have a significant impact on our funding requirements of these plans. Estimates and assumptions may change. In addition, the Pension Protection Act sets the minimum funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans. Therefore, our funding requirements and contributions may change in the future.
Also, the payout of a significant percentage of pension plan liabilities in a single year, due to high numbers of retirements or employees leaving NSP-Wisconsin, would trigger settlement accounting and could require NSP-Wisconsin to recognize incremental pension expense related to unrecognized plan losses in the year liabilities are paid. Changes in industry standards utilized in key assumptions (e.g., mortality tables) could have a significant impact on future obligations and benefit costs.
Increasing costs associated with health care plans may adversely affect our results of operations.
Increasing levels of large individual health care claims and overall health care claims could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Health care legislation could also significantly impact our benefit programs and costs.
Federal tax law may significantly impact our business.
NSP-Wisconsin collects estimated federal, state and local tax payments through their regulated rates. Changes to federal tax law may benefit or adversely affect our earnings and customer costs. Tax depreciable lives and the value/availability of various tax credits or the timeliness of their utilization may impact the economics or selection of resources. If tax rates are increased, there could be timing delays before regulated rates provide for recovery of such tax increases in revenues. In addition, certain IRS tax policies such as tax normalization may impact our ability to economically deliver certain types of resources relative to market prices. Changes to the availability of tax credit transferability could impact our cash flows and the cost of certain types of resources.
Macroeconomic Risks
Economic conditions impact our business.
Our operations are affected by economic conditions, which correlates to customers/sales growth (decline). Economic conditions may be impacted by recessionary factors, rising interest rates, inflation, the impacts of federal policy and insufficient financial sector liquidity leading to potential increased unemployment, which may impact customers’ ability to pay their bills which could lead to additional bad debt expense.
Additionally, NSP-Wisconsin faces competitive factors, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, worldwide economic activity impacts the demand for basic commodities necessary for utility infrastructure, which may inhibit our ability to acquire sufficient supplies. We operate in a capital-intensive industry and federal trade policy could significantly impact the cost of materials we use. There may be delays before these additional material costs can be recovered in rates.
The oil and gas industry represents our largest C&I customer base. Oil and natural gas prices are sensitive to market risk factors which may impact demand.
We face risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks, which may have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Health epidemics impact countries, communities, supply chains and markets. Uncertainty continues to exist regarding epidemics; the duration and magnitude of business restrictions including shutdowns (domestically and globally); the potential impact on the workforce including shortages of employees and third-party contractors due to quarantine policies, vaccination requirements or government restrictions; impacts on the transportation of goods, and the generalized impact on the economy.
We cannot ultimately predict whether an epidemic will have a material impact on our future liquidity, financial condition or results of operations. Nor can we predict the impact on the health of our employees, our supply chain or our ability to recover higher costs associated with managing an outbreak.
Operations could be impacted by war, terrorism or other events.
Our generation plants, fuel storage facilities, transmission and distribution facilities and information and control systems may be targets of terrorist activities. Any disruption could impact operations or result in a decrease in revenues and additional costs to repair and insure our assets. These disruptions could have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The potential for terrorism has subjected our operations to increased risks and could have a material effect on our business. We have incurred increased costs for security and capital expenditures in response to these risks. The insurance industry has also been affected by these events and the availability of insurance may decrease. In addition, insurance may have higher deductibles, higher premiums and more restrictive policy terms.
A disruption of the regional electric transmission grid, interstate natural gas pipeline infrastructure or other fuel sources, could negatively impact our business, brand and reputation. Because our facilities are part of an interconnected system, we face the risk of possible loss of business due to a disruption caused by the actions of a neighboring utility.
We also face the risks of possible loss of business due to significant events such as severe storms, temperature extremes, wildfires, widespread pandemic, generator or transmission facility outage, pipeline rupture, railroad disruption, operator error, sudden and significant increase or decrease in wind generation or a workforce disruption.
In addition, major catastrophic events throughout the world may disrupt our business. While we have business continuity plans in place, our ability to recover may be prolonged due to the type and extent of the event. NSP-Wisconsin participates in a global supply chain, which includes materials and components that are globally sourced. A prolonged disruption could result in the delay of equipment and materials that may impact our ability to connect, restore and reliably serve our customers.
A major disruption could result in a significant decrease in revenues, additional costs to repair assets, and an adverse impact on the cost and availability of insurance, which could have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
A cybersecurity incident or security breach could have a material effect on our business.
We operate in an industry that requires the continued operation of sophisticated information technology, control systems and network infrastructure. In addition, we use our systems and infrastructure to create, collect, use, disclose, store, dispose of and otherwise process sensitive information, including Company data, customer energy usage data, and personal information regarding customers, employees and their dependents, contractors and other individuals.
Our generation, transmission, distribution and fuel storage facilities, information technology systems and other infrastructure or physical assets as well as information processed in our systems (e.g., information regarding our customers, employees, operations, infrastructure and assets) could be affected by cybersecurity incidents, including those caused by human error.
The utility industry has been the target of several attacks on operational systems and has seen an increased volume and sophistication of cybersecurity incidents from international activist organizations, other countries and individuals. We expect to continue to experience attempts to compromise our information technology and control systems, network infrastructure and other assets. To date, no cybersecurity incident or attack affecting us or our vendors has had a material impact on our business or results of operations.
Cybersecurity incidents could harm our businesses by limiting our generation, transmission and distribution capabilities, delaying our development and construction of new facilities or capital improvement projects to existing facilities, disrupting our customer operations or causing the release of customer information, all of which would likely receive state and federal regulatory scrutiny and could expose us to liability.
Our generation, transmission systems and natural gas pipelines are part of an interconnected system. Therefore, a disruption caused by the impact of a cybersecurity incident on the regional electric transmission grid, natural gas pipeline infrastructure or other fuel sources of our third-party service providers’ operations, could also negatively impact our business.
Generative Artificial Intelligence, such as large language models like ChatGPT, present a range of challenges and potential risks as we consider impacts to the business. These challenges involve navigating the complexities of creating and deploying AI models that generate content autonomously. Data privacy, legal concerns, and security issues are all risks as this technology continues to be adopted.
Our supply chain for procurement of digital equipment and services may expose software or hardware to these risks and could result in a breach or significant costs of remediation. We are unable to quantify the potential impact of cybersecurity threats or subsequent related actions. Cybersecurity incidents and regulatory action could result in a material decrease in revenues and may cause significant additional costs (e.g., penalties, third-party claims, repairs, insurance or compliance) and potentially disrupt our supply and markets for natural gas, oil and other fuels.
We maintain security measures to protect our information technology and control systems, network infrastructure and other assets. However, these assets and the information they process may be vulnerable to cybersecurity incidents, including asset failure or unauthorized access to assets or information.
A failure or breach of our technology systems or those of our third-party service providers could disrupt critical business functions and may negatively impact our business, our brand, and our reputation. The cybersecurity threat is dynamic and evolves continually, and our efforts to prioritize network protection may not be effective given the constant changes to threat vulnerability.
While the Company maintains insurance relating to cybersecurity events, such insurance is subject to a number of exclusions and may be insufficient to offset any losses, costs or damages experienced. Also, the market for cybersecurity insurance is relatively new and coverage available for cybersecurity events is evolving as the industry matures.
Our operating results may fluctuate on a seasonal and quarterly basis and can be adversely affected by milder weather.
Our electric and natural gas utility businesses are seasonal, and weather patterns can have a material impact on our operating performance. Demand for electricity is often greater in the summer and winter months associated with cooling and heating. Because natural gas is heavily used for residential and commercial heating, the demand depends heavily upon weather patterns. A significant amount of natural gas revenues are recognized in the first and fourth quarters related to the heating season. Accordingly, our operations have historically generated less revenues and income when weather conditions are milder in the winter and cooler in the summer. Unusually mild winters and summers could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Public Policy Risks
Increased risks of regulatory penalties could negatively impact our business.
The Energy Act increased civil penalty authority for violation of FERC statutes, rules and orders. FERC can impose penalties of up to $1.5 million per violation per day, particularly as it relates to energy trading activities for both electricity and natural gas. In addition, NERC electric reliability standards and critical infrastructure protection requirements are mandatory and subject to potential financial penalties. Also, the PHMSA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other federal agencies have the authority to assess penalties.
In the event of serious incidents, these agencies may pursue penalties. In addition, certain states have the authority to impose substantial penalties. If a serious reliability, cybersecurity or safety incident did occur, it could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
The continued use of natural gas for both power generation and gas distribution have increasingly become a public policy advocacy target. These efforts may result in a limitation of natural gas as an energy source for both power generation and heating, which could impact our ability to reliably and affordably serve our customers.
In recent years, there have been various local and state agency proposals within and outside our service territories that would attempt to restrict the use and availability of natural gas. If such policies were to prevail, we may be forced to make new resource investment decisions which could potentially result in stranded costs if we are not able to fully recover costs and investments and impact the overall reliability of our service.
Environmental Policy Risks
We may be subject to legislative and regulatory responses to climate change, with which compliance could be difficult and costly.
Legislative and regulatory responses related to climate change may create financial risk as our facilities may be subject to additional regulation at either the state or federal level in the future. International agreements could additionally lead to future federal or state regulations.
In 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reached consensus among 190 nations on an agreement (the Paris Agreement) that establishes a framework for GHG mitigation actions by all countries, with a goal of holding the increase in global average temperature to below 2º Celsius above pre-industrial levels and an aspiration to limit the increase to 1.5º Celsius. Although the United States has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, many states and localities continue to pursue their own climate policies which could result in future additional GHG reductions.
The steps NSP-Wisconsin has taken to date to reduce GHG emissions, including energy efficiency measures, adding renewable generation and retiring or converting coal plants to natural gas, occurred under state-endorsed resource plans, renewable energy standards and other state policies.
We may be subject to climate change lawsuits. An adverse outcome could require substantial capital expenditures and possibly require payment of substantial penalties or damages. Defense costs associated with such litigation can also be significant and could affect results of operations, financial condition or cash flows if such costs are not recovered through regulated rates.
If our regulators do not allow us to recover all or a part of the cost of capital investment or the O&M costs incurred to comply with the mandates, it could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are subject to environmental laws and regulations, with which compliance could be difficult and costly.
We are subject to environmental laws and regulations that affect many aspects of our operations, including air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges and the generation, transport and disposal of solid wastes and hazardous substances. Laws and regulations require us to obtain permits, licenses, and approvals and to comply with a variety of environmental requirements.
Environmental laws and regulations can also require us to restrict or limit the output of facilities or the use of certain fuels, shift generation to lower-emitting facilities, install pollution control equipment, clean up spills and other contamination and correct environmental hazards. Failure to meet requirements of environmental mandates may result in fines or penalties. We may be required to pay all or a portion of the cost to remediate sites where our past activities, or the activities of other parties, caused environmental contamination.
Changes in environmental policies and regulations or regulatory decisions may result in early retirements of our generation facilities. While regulation typically provides relief for these types of changes, there is no assurance that regulators would allow full recovery of all remaining costs.
We are subject to mandates to provide customers with clean energy, renewable energy and energy conservation offerings. It could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows if our regulators do not allow us to recover the cost of capital investment or O&M costs incurred to comply with the requirements. Additionally, the impact of environmental laws and regulations may impact the economic health of consumers through higher prices of energy and purchased goods.
While we establish strategies and expectations related to climate change and other environmental matters, our ability to achieve any such strategies or expectations is subject to numerous factors and conditions, many of which are outside of our control. Examples of such factors include, but are not limited to, evolving legal, regulatory, and other standards, processes, and assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs, the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon markets. Failures or delays (whether actual or perceived) in achieving our strategies or expectations related to climate change and other environmental matters could adversely affect our business, operations, and reputation, and increase risk of litigation.
In addition, existing environmental laws or regulations may be revised and new laws or regulations may be adopted. We may also incur additional unanticipated obligations or liabilities under existing environmental laws and regulations.

---

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
Virtually all of the utility plant property of NSP-Wisconsin is subject to the lien of its first mortgage bond indenture.
Station, Location and Unit at
Dec. 31, 2024 Fuel Installed MW (a)
Steam:
Bay Front-Ashland, WI, 2 Units Wood/Natural Gas 1948 - 1956 41
French Island-La Crosse, WI, 2 Units Wood/RDF 1940 - 1948 16 (b)
Combustion Turbine:
French Island-La Crosse, WI, 2 Units Oil 1974 119
Wheaton-Eau Claire, WI, 4 Units Natural Gas/Oil 1973 189 (c)
Hydro:
Various locations, 62 Units Hydro Various 135
Total 500
(a)Summer 2024 net dependable capacity.
(b)RDF is made from municipal solid waste.
(c)Retired unit in 2024.
Electric utility overhead and underground transmission and distribution lines (measured in conductor miles) at Dec. 31, 2024:
Conductor Miles
Transmission
345 KV 3,019
161 KV 1,817
115 KV 1,835
Less than 115 KV 5,324
Total Transmission 11,995
Distribution
Less than 115 KV 28,293
Total 40,288
NSP-Wisconsin had 201 electric utility transmission and distribution substations at Dec. 31, 2024.
Natural gas utility mains at Dec. 31, 2024:
Miles
Transmission 3
Distribution 2,610

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
NSP-Wisconsin is involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or is a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Management maintains accruals for losses probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation.
Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of a reasonably possible loss in certain situations, including but not limited to, when (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss.
For current proceedings not specifically reported herein, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liabilities, if any, would have a material effect on NSP-Wisconsin’s consolidated financial statements. Legal fees are generally expensed as incurred.
See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, Item 1 and Item 7 for further information.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
NSP-Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. and there is no market for its common equity securities.
The dividends declared during 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023
First quarter $ 18 $ 24
Second quarter 18 25
Third quarter 27 24
Fourth quarter 23 38

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6 - [RESERVED]

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Discussion of financial condition and liquidity for NSP-Wisconsin is omitted per conditions set forth in General Instructions I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K for wholly owned subsidiaries. It is replaced with management’s narrative analysis and the results of operations for the current year as set forth in General Instructions I(2)(a) of Form 10-K for wholly owned subsidiaries (reduced disclosure format).
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures such as ongoing earnings. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position or cash flows that is adjusted from measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
NSP-Wisconsin’s management uses non-GAAP measures for financial planning and analysis, for reporting of results to the Board of Directors, in determining performance-based compensation and communicating its earnings outlook to analysts and investors. Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement investors’ understanding of our performance and should not be considered alternatives for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures are discussed in more detail below and may not be comparable to other companies’ similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures.
Earnings Adjusted for Certain Items (Ongoing Earnings)
Ongoing earnings reflect adjustments to GAAP earnings (net income) for certain items.
We use these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate and provide details of NSP-Wisconsin’s core earnings and underlying performance. For instance, to present ongoing earnings, we may adjust the related GAAP amounts for certain items that are non-recurring in nature. We believe these measurements are useful to investors to evaluate the actual and projected financial performance and contribution of NSP-Wisconsin. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP.
The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP earnings (net income) to ongoing earnings:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023
GAAP net income $ 134 $ 136
Workforce reduction expenses - 5
Less: tax effect of adjustment - (1)
Ongoing earnings $ 134 $ 140
Workforce Reduction - In 2023, Xcel Energy implemented workforce actions to align resources and investments with our evolving business and customer needs and streamline the organization for long-term success. Xcel Energy initiated a voluntary retirement program, under which approximately 400 eligible non-bargaining employees retired. Xcel Energy also eliminated approximately 150 non-bargaining employees through an involuntary severance program.
Total Xcel Energy workforce reduction expenses of $72 million were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023, of which $5 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin. Given the non-recurring nature of this item, it has been excluded from ongoing earnings.
Results of Operations
2024 Comparison with 2023
NSP-Wisconsin’s GAAP net income was $134 million for 2024 compared with $136 million for 2023. Ongoing net income was $134 million for 2024 compared with $140 million for 2023. The decrease in ongoing earnings was primarily a result of higher depreciation and interest charges.
Electric Revenues
Electric revenues are impacted by changing sales, fluctuations in the price of natural gas, coal and uranium, regulatory outcomes, market prices and seasonality.
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 vs. 2023
Nuclear PTC deferral $ (40)
Sales and demand (7)
Estimated impact of weather (6)
Interchange agreement billings 11
Regulatory rate outcomes 8
Recovery of higher cost of electric fuel and purchased power 3
Other, net 7
Total decrease $ (24)
Natural Gas Revenues
Natural gas revenues vary with changing sales and the cost of natural gas and regulatory outcomes.
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 vs. 2023
Recovery of lower natural gas costs $ (23)
Estimated impact of weather (3)
Regulatory rate outcomes 5
Other, net (1)
Total decrease $ (22)
Electric Fuel and Purchased Power (affiliate and non-affiliate) - Expenses incurred for electric fuel and purchased power are impacted by fluctuations in market prices of natural gas, coal and uranium, seasonality and NSP-Wisconsin's share of integrated NSP System charges through interchange agreement billings. These incurred expenses are generally recovered through various regulatory recovery mechanisms. As a result, changes in these expenses are largely offset in operating revenues and have minimal earnings impact.
Electric fuel and purchased power expenses decreased $25 million in 2024. The decrease is primarily due to the impact of the nuclear PTC benefits on interchange agreement billings from NSP-Minnesota.
Cost of Natural Gas Sold and Transported - Expenses incurred for the cost of natural gas sold are impacted by market prices and seasonality. These costs are generally recovered through various regulatory recovery mechanisms. As a result, changes in these expenses are largely offset in operating revenues and have minimal earnings impact.
Natural gas sold and transported decreased $25 million in 2024. The decrease is primarily due to lower commodity prices and decreased volumes.
Non-Fuel Operating Expenses and Other Items
Depreciation and Amortization - Depreciation and amortization increased $16 million for 2024 compared with 2023, primarily due to system expansion.
Interest Charges - Interest charges increased $14 million for 2024, largely due to increased long-term debt levels and interest rates.
Public Utility Regulation
The FERC and various state and local regulatory commissions regulate NSP-Wisconsin. NSP-Wisconsin is subject to rate regulation by state utility regulatory agencies, which have jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric and natural gas distribution companies in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Rates are designed to recover plant investment, operating costs and an allowed return on investment. NSP-Wisconsin requests changes in utility rates through commission filings. Changes in operating costs can affect NSP-Wisconsin’s financial results, depending on the timing of rate cases and implementation of final rates. Other factors affecting rate filings are new investments, sales, conservation and DSM efforts, and the cost of capital.
In addition, the regulatory commissions authorize the ROE, capital structure and depreciation rates in rate proceedings. Decisions by these regulators can significantly impact NSP-Wisconsin’s results of operations and credit quality.
See Rate Matters and Other within Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Summary of Regulatory Agencies / RTO and Areas of Jurisdiction
Regulatory Body / RTO Additional Information
PSCW Retail rates, services and other aspects of electric and natural gas operations.
Certifies the need for new generating plants and electric transmission lines before the facilities may be sited and built.
The PSCW has a biennial base rate filing requirement. By June of each odd numbered year, NSP-Wisconsin must submit a rate filing for the test year beginning the following January.
Pipeline safety compliance.
MPSC Retail rates, services and other aspects of electric and natural gas operations.
Certifies the need for new generating plants and electric transmission lines before the facilities may be sited and built.
Pipeline safety compliance.
FERC Wholesale electric operations, hydroelectric generation licensing, accounting practices, wholesale sales for resale, transmission of electricity in interstate commerce, compliance with NERC electric reliability standards, asset transactions and mergers and natural gas transactions in interstate commerce.
MISO NSP-Wisconsin is a transmission owning member of the MISO RTO that operates within the MISO RTO and wholesale energy market. NSP-Wisconsin and NSP-Minnesota are jointly authorized by the FERC to make wholesale electric sales at market-based prices.
DOT Pipeline safety compliance.
Recovery Mechanisms
Mechanism Additional Information
Annual Fuel Cost Plan NSP-Wisconsin does not have an automatic electric fuel adjustment clause. Under Wisconsin rules, utilities submit a forward-looking annual fuel cost plan to the PSCW. Once the PSCW approves the plan, utilities defer the amount of any fuel cost under-recovery or over-recovery in excess of a 2% annual tolerance band, for future rate recovery or refund. Approval of a fuel cost plan and any rate adjustment for refund or recovery of deferred costs is determined by the PSCW. Rate recovery of deferred fuel cost is subject to an earnings test based on the most recently authorized ROE. Under-collections that exceed the 2% annual tolerance band may not be recovered if the utility earnings for that year exceed the authorized ROE.
Natural Gas Cost-Recovery Factor (MI) NSP-Wisconsin’s natural gas rates for Michigan customers include a natural gas cost-recovery factor, based on 12-month projections and trued-up to actual amounts on an annual basis.
Power Supply Cost Recovery Factors NSP-Wisconsin’s retail electric rate schedules for Michigan customers include power supply cost recovery factors, based on 12-month projections. After each 12-month period, a reconciliation is submitted whereby over-recoveries are refunded and any under-recoveries are collected from customers.
Purchased Gas Adjustment A retail cost-recovery mechanism to recover the actual cost of natural gas, transportation, and storage services.
Wisconsin Energy Efficiency Program The primary energy efficiency program is funded by the utilities but operated by independent contractors subject to oversight by the PSCW and utilities. NSP-Wisconsin recovers these costs from customers.
Pending Regulatory Proceedings
Michigan Electric Rate Case - In July 2024, NSP-Wisconsin filed a Michigan electric rate case with the MPSC. In December 2024, the MPSC approved NSP-Wisconsin’s settlement agreement. The settlement order includes an electric rate increase of $1.75 million in 2025 and a step increase of $0.55 million in 2026, based on a ROE of 9.8% and an equity ratio of 50%.
Wisconsin 2025 Stay-Out Proposal - In June 2024, NSP-Wisconsin filed a 2025 stay-out proposal with the PSCW. In December 2024, the PSCW approved NSP-Wisconsin’s filing, which offsets $27 million in electric deficiencies and $3 million in natural gas deficiencies by amortizing IRA deferrals, stopping a deferral related to IRA benefits ordered in a previous rate case, and deferring revenue requirement impacts of two natural gas capital projects.
Excess Liability Insurance Deferral - In February 2025, NSP-Wisconsin filed a request with the PSCW for deferred accounting treatment for excess liability insurance expense of $9.6 million incurred as a result of the October 2024 policy renewal. A PSCW decision is expected in the third quarter of 2025.
NSP System
Pending and Recently Concluded Regulatory Proceedings
Resource Acquisition - In February 2024, NSP filed its Upper Midwest Resource Plan with the MPUC. In October 2024, NSP-Minnesota filed a settlement with several parties reaching agreement on the resource plan, as well as the proposed projects to be approved in the pending 800 MW firm dispatchable resource acquisition.
In February 2025, the MPUC verbally approved the terms of the settlement agreement, including:
•The selection of the company owned 420 MW Lyon County combustion turbine.
•The selection of the company owned 300 MW 4-hour Sherco battery energy storage system.
•Multiple PPAs to proceed to the negotiation stage.
•The addition of 3,200 MW of wind, 400 MW of solar and 600 MW of stand-alone storage to be added through 2030 based on an RFP process (a portion of which is expected to be fulfilled with the resources acquired as part of the 2024 RFPs). Of these amounts, approximately 2,800 MW of wind are projected to utilize the Minnesota Energy Connection transmission line.
•Planned life extensions of the Prairie Island and Monticello nuclear plants through the early 2050s.
Additionally, the MPUC approved life extensions of the Red Wing and Mankato RDF plants to 2037 and ordered NSP-Minnesota to file a proposed tariff for customers with super-large load, largely data centers, by July 15, 2025.
NSP-Minnesota will file additional RFPs for approved resource needs beginning in late 2025 or early 2026.
NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin are actively engaged in multiple processes and proceedings to acquire resources to meet their identified generation resource needs.
•In October 2023, NSP-Minnesota issued an RFP seeking 1,200 MW of wind assets to replace capacity and reutilize interconnection rights associated with the retiring Sherco coal facilities. The RFP closed in December 2023. NSP-Minnesota expects to file for approval of recommended projects in summer 2025.
•In 2024, NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin each issued an RFP collectively seeking up to 1,600 MW of wind, solar, storage or hybrid resources to interconnect to the NSP System, including reutilization of the interconnection rights associated with the retiring Sherco coal units, and 650 MW of solar and storage resources to specifically reutilize the interconnection rights associated with the retiring King coal unit. Bids are currently under evaluation; NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin announced the short-listed projects in January 2025 and plan to file for the requisite approvals of the selected resources with the MPUC and PSCW, respectively, in the second half of 2025.
Purchased Power and Transmission Services
The NSP System expects to use power plants, power purchases, conservation and DSM options, new generation facilities and expansion of power plants to meet its system capacity requirements.
Purchased Power - Through the Interchange Agreement, NSP-Wisconsin receives power purchased by NSP-Minnesota from other utilities and independent power producers. Long-term purchased power contracts for dispatchable resources typically require a capacity charge and an energy charge. NSP-Minnesota makes short-term purchases to meet system requirements, replace company owned generation, meet operating reserve obligations or obtain energy at a lower cost.
Purchased Transmission Services - NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin have contracts with MISO and other regional transmission service providers to deliver power and energy to their customers.
Other
Supply Chain
NSP-Wisconsin’s ability to meet customer energy requirements, growing customer demand, respond to storm-related disruptions, and execute our capital expenditure program are dependent on maintaining an efficient supply chain.
Large global demand for energy-related infrastructure has stretched equipment supply chains, extended delivery dates and increased prices for items like combustion turbines, transformers and other large electrical equipment. The labor market for skilled engineering and construction resources to build renewables and gas generation has also been strained, impacting cost and availability.
In addition, manufacturing processes have experienced disruptions related to the scarcity of certain raw materials and interruptions in production and shipping. The impact of inflationary pressures, geopolitical events and federal policies have exacerbated the situation. NSP-Wisconsin continues to monitor the situation as it remains fluid and seeks to mitigate the impacts by securing alternative suppliers and key vendor partners, increasing procurement lead times, modifying design standards, and adjusting the timing of work.
Tariffs and Trade Complaints
In May 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations of CSPV cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, whether or not assembled into modules.
In October 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its preliminary determination in the countervailing duty circumvention investigation, which is not expected to impact NSP System projects. In November 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce concluded that dumping had occurred and the impact to Xcel Energy is still being evaluated.
In May 2024, the White House imposed a new 25% tariff on Lithium-Ion storage along with other trade measures. The tariff went into immediate effect for EV batteries but has a grace period until January 2026 for stationary energy storage applications.
In January of 2025, the U.S. International Trade Commission made an affirmative determination in the preliminary phase of the anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning Active Anode Material, a component of lithium-ion batteries, from China. This case will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission over the course of 2025.
In early 2025, several executive orders were issued, some of which impose new tariffs on certain imports, which may impact our procurement activities.
NSP-Wisconsin continues to assess the impacts of these tariffs, trade complaints and federal policies on its business, including company owned projects and PPAs. NSP-Wisconsin may seek regulatory relief for tariffs, if required, in its jurisdictions.
Further policy actions, or other restrictions on solar and storage imports, disruptions in imports from key suppliers, or any new trade complaint could impact project timelines and costs of various generation projects and PPAs.
Excess Liability Insurance Coverage
NSP-Wisconsin maintains excess liability coverage, which is intended to insure against liability to third parties. During 2024, Xcel Energy had approximately $600 million of excess liability coverage; including $520 million of wildfire coverage with an annual premium assigned to NSP-Wisconsin of approximately $3 million. Examples of claims paid under this policy include property damage or bodily injury to members of the public caused by NSP-Wisconsin’s employees, equipment or facilities. The increased wildfire liability risk and claims are driving a significant increase of premiums and reductions in insurance coverage in the excess liability markets. In October 2024, Xcel Energy renewed its excess liability coverage and now has $450 million of total coverage, including $450 million of wildfire coverage for NSP-Wisconsin. The annual premium for this excess liability insurance assigned to NSP-Wisconsin is approximately $12 million. In February 2025, NSP-Wisconsin filed a request with the PSCW seeking recovery of these increased costs.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Derivatives, Risk Management and Market Risk
NSP-Wisconsin is exposed to a variety of market risks in the normal course of business. Market risk is the potential loss that may occur as a result of adverse changes in the market or fair value for a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk.
NSP-Wisconsin is exposed to the impact of adverse changes in price for energy and energy-related products, which is partially mitigated by the use of commodity derivatives. In addition to ongoing monitoring and maintaining credit policies intended to minimize overall credit risk, management takes steps to mitigate changes in credit and concentration risks associated with its derivatives and other contracts, including parental guarantees and requests of collateral. While NSP-Wisconsin expects that the counterparties will perform on the contracts underlying its derivatives, the contracts expose NSP-Wisconsin to credit and non-performance risk.
Distress in the financial markets may impact counterparty risk and the fair value of the securities in the pension fund. Derivative activity was not material for the years ended Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023.
Fair Value Measurements
Derivative contracts, with the exception of those designated as normal purchases and normal sales, are reported at fair value. NSP-Wisconsin’s pension and other postretirement funds are also subject to fair value accounting. See Notes 8 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Item 15 - 1 for an index of financial statements included herein.
See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of NSP-Wisconsin is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. NSP-Wisconsin’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to Xcel Energy Inc.’s and NSP-Wisconsin’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
NSP-Wisconsin management assessed the effectiveness of NSP-Wisconsin’s internal control over financial reporting as of Dec. 31, 2024. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of Dec. 31, 2024, NSP-Wisconsin’s internal control over financial reporting is effective at the reasonable assurance level based on those criteria.
/s/ ROBERT C. FRENZEL /s/ BRIAN J. VAN ABEL
Robert C. Frenzel Brian J. Van Abel
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
Feb. 27, 2025 Feb. 27, 2025
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholder and the Board of Directors of Northern States Power Company, a Wisconsin corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Northern States Power Company, a Wisconsin corporation, and subsidiaries (the "Company"), as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, common stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Impact of Rate Regulation on the Financial Statements - Refer to Notes 4 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements.
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company is subject to rate regulation by state utility regulatory agencies, which have jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric and natural gas distribution companies in Wisconsin and Michigan. The Company is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its wholesale electric operations, hydroelectric generation licensing, accounting practices, wholesale sales for resale, transmission of electricity in interstate commerce, compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation standards, asset transactions and mergers and natural gas transactions in interstate commerce, (collectively with state utility regulatory agencies, the “Commissions”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation affects multiple financial statement line items and disclosures, including property, plant and equipment, regulatory assets and liabilities, operating revenues and expenses, and income taxes.
The Company is subject to regulatory rate setting processes. Rates are determined and approved in regulatory proceedings based on an analysis of the Company’s costs to provide utility service and a return on, and recovery of, the Company’s investment in assets required to deliver services to customers. Accounting for the Company’s regulated operations provides that rate-regulated entities report assets and liabilities consistent with the recovery of those incurred costs in rates, if it is probable that such rates will be charged and collected. The Commissions’ regulation of rates is premised on the full recovery of incurred costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. Decisions by the Commissions in the future will impact the accounting for regulated operations, including decisions about the amount of allowable costs and return on invested capital included in rates and any refunds that may be required. In the rate setting process, the Company’s rates result in the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities based on the probability of future cash flows. Regulatory assets generally represent incurred or accrued costs that have been deferred because future recovery from customers is probable. Regulatory liabilities generally represent amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers in future rates or amounts collected in current rates for future costs.
We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs and requirements to refund amounts to customers. Given that management’s accounting judgments are based on assumptions about the outcome of future decisions by the Commissions, auditing these judgments required specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the Commissions included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the recognition of regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates.
•We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.
•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the Commissions for the Company, other regulatory filings, legal decisions and recommendations being evaluated by the Commissions, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We evaluated historic orders for precedents of the Commissions’ treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We compared the regulatory orders, filings and other publicly available information to the Company’s recorded regulatory assets and liabilities for completeness.
•We obtained management’s analysis and correspondence from counsel, as appropriate, regarding regulatory assets or liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 27, 2025
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(amounts in millions)
Year Ended Dec. 31
2024 2023 2022
Operating revenues
Electric, non-affiliates $ 779 $ 815 $ 800
Electric, affiliates 216 204 202
Natural gas 135 157 198
Other 1 1 1
Total operating revenues 1,131 1,177 1,201
Operating expenses
Electric fuel and purchased power, non-affiliates 13 14 17
Purchased power, affiliates 384 408 446
Cost of natural gas sold and transported 55 80 116
Operating and maintenance expenses 230 239 223
Conservation program expenses 12 13 13
Depreciation and amortization 186 170 158
Taxes (other than income taxes) 35 34 31
Workforce reduction expenses - 5 -
Total operating expenses 915 963 1,004
Operating income 216 214 197
Other income (expense), net 3 2 (2)
Allowance for funds used during construction - equity 16 10 7
Interest charges and financing costs
Interest charges and other financing costs 68 54 45
Allowance for funds used during construction - debt (7) (4) (3)
Total interest charges and financing costs 61 50 42
Income before income taxes 174 176 160
Income tax expense 40 40 35
Net income $ 134 $ 136 $ 125
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in millions)
Year Ended Dec. 31
2024 2023 2022
Operating activities
Net income $ 134 $ 136 $ 125
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 189 173 159
Deferred income taxes - (12) (2)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (16) (10) (7)
Provision for bad debts 2 4 4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (27) (4) (13)
Accrued unbilled revenues 2 11 (5)
Inventories (12) (6) (14)
Other current assets (7) 21 (20)
Accounts payable (2) (6) 5
Net regulatory assets and liabilities 25 44 18
Other current liabilities 3 2 16
Pension and other employee benefit obligations (8) - (4)
Other, net 2 4 (5)
Net cash provided by operating activities 285 357 257
Investing activities
Capital/construction expenditures (550) (456) (353)
Investments in utility money pool arrangement (15) (153) (100)
Repayments from money pool arrangement - 153 100
Net cash used in investing activities (565) (456) (353)
Financing activities
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net (25) 13 (35)
Borrowings under money pool arrangement 170 163 591
Repayments under money pool arrangement (170) (163) (591)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 394 124 99
Repayments of long-term debt (200) - -
Capital contributions from parent 211 75 114
Dividends paid to parent (98) (109) (91)
Net cash provided by financing activities 282 103 87
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 2 4 (9)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 6 2 11
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 8 $ 6 $ 2
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized) $ (55) $ (47) $ (39)
Cash paid for income taxes, net (36) (40) (32)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing transactions:
Accrued property, plant and equipment additions $ 36 $ 31 $ 54
Inventory transfers to property, plant and equipment 13 17 1
Allowance for equity funds used during construction 16 10 7
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)
Dec. 31
2024 2023
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 8 $ 6
Accounts receivable, net 72 76
Accounts receivable from affiliates 33 13
Investments in money pool arrangements 15 -
Accrued unbilled revenues 60 63
Inventories 28 29
Regulatory assets 23 24
Prepaid taxes 28 28
Prepayments and other 13 6
Total current assets 280 245
Property, plant and equipment, net 3,670 3,237
Other assets
Regulatory assets 168 185
Other 8 3
Total other assets 176 188
Total assets $ 4,126 $ 3,670
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt - 200
Short-term debt 35 60
Accounts payable 72 64
Accounts payable to affiliates 13 21
Dividends payable to parent 13 25
Regulatory liabilities 29 42
Taxes accrued 11 16
Accrued interest 15 13
Other 25 23
Total current liabilities 213 464
Deferred credits and other liabilities
Deferred income taxes 342 330
Deferred investment tax credits 4 5
Regulatory liabilities 456 407
Customer advances 29 25
Pension and employee benefit obligations 24 27
Other 35 35
Total deferred credits and other liabilities 890 829
Commitments and contingencies
Capitalization
Long-term debt 1,406 1,011
Common stock - 1,000,000 shares authorized of $100 par value; 933,000 shares
outstanding at Dec. 31, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2023, respectively
93 93
Additional paid in capital 1,046 843
Retained earnings 478 430
Total common stockholder's equity 1,617 1,366
Total liabilities and equity $ 4,126 $ 3,670
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NSP-WISCONSIN AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
(amounts in millions, except share data)
Common Stock Total
Common
Stockholder’s
Equity
Shares Par Value Additional
Paid In
Capital Retained
Earnings
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021 933,000 $ 93 $ 642 $ 368 $ 1,103
Net income 125 125
Common dividends declared to parent (88) (88)
Contribution of capital by parent 119 119
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022 933,000 $ 93 $ 761 $ 405 $ 1,259
Net income 136 136
Common dividends declared to parent (111) (111)
Contribution of capital by parent 82 82
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023 933,000 $ 93 $ 843 $ 430 $ 1,366
Net income 134 134
Common dividends declared to parent (86) (86)
Contribution of capital by parent 203 203
Balance at Dec. 31, 2024 933,000 $ 93 $ 1,046 $ 478 $ 1,617
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY - WISCONSIN
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
General - NSP-Wisconsin is engaged in the regulated generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity and the regulated purchase, transportation, distribution and sale of natural gas.
NSP-Wisconsin’s consolidated financial statements include its wholly owned subsidiaries and VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. In the consolidation process, all intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated. NSP-Wisconsin has investments in certain transmission facilities jointly owned with nonaffiliated utilities.
Investments in certain plants and transmission facilities are jointly owned with nonaffiliated utilities. NSP-Wisconsin’s proportionate share of jointly owned facilities is recorded as property, plant and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets and NSP-Wisconsin’s proportionate share of operating costs associated with these facilities is included in its consolidated statements of income.
NSP-Wisconsin’s consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with GAAP. All of NSP-Wisconsin’s underlying accounting records also conform to the FERC uniform system of accounts or to systems required by various state regulatory commissions. Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements or notes have been reclassified for comparative purposes; however, such reclassifications did not affect net income, total assets, liabilities, equity or cash flows.
NSP-Wisconsin has evaluated events occurring after Dec. 31, 2024 up to the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. These statements contain all necessary adjustments and disclosures resulting from that evaluation.
Use of Estimates - NSP-Wisconsin uses estimates based on the best information available to record transactions and balances resulting from business operations.
Estimates are used for items such as plant depreciable lives or potential disallowances, AROs, certain regulatory assets and liabilities, tax provisions, uncollectible amounts, environmental costs, unbilled revenues, jurisdictional fuel and energy cost allocations and actuarially determined benefit costs. Recorded estimates are revised when better information becomes available or actual amounts can be determined. Revisions can affect operating results.
Regulatory Accounting - NSP-Wisconsin accounts for income and expense items in accordance with accounting guidance for regulated operations. Under this guidance:
•Certain costs, which would otherwise be charged to expense or other comprehensive income, are deferred as regulatory assets based on the expected ability to recover the costs in future rates.
•Certain credits, which would otherwise be reflected as income or other comprehensive income, are deferred as regulatory liabilities based on the expectation the amounts will be returned to customers in future rates or because the amounts were collected in rates prior to the costs being incurred.
Estimates and assumptions for recovery of deferred costs and refund of deferred credits are based on specific ratemaking decisions, precedent or other available information. Regulatory assets and liabilities are amortized consistent with the treatment in the rate setting process.
If changes in the regulatory environment occur, NSP-Wisconsin may no longer be eligible to apply this accounting treatment and may be required to eliminate regulatory assets and liabilities. Such changes could have a material effect on NSP-Wisconsin’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
See Note 4 for further information.
Income Taxes - NSP-Wisconsin accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Income taxes are deferred for all temporary differences between pretax financial and taxable income and between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities utilizing rates that are scheduled to be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.
Utility rate regulation has resulted in the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities related to income taxes. The effects of NSP-Wisconsin’s tax rate changes are generally subject to a normalization method of accounting. Therefore, the revaluation of most of its net deferred taxes upon a tax rate reduction results in the establishment of a net regulatory liability, refundable to utility customers over the remaining life of the related assets. NSP-Wisconsin anticipates that a tax rate increase would predominantly result in the establishment of a regulatory asset, subject to an evaluation of whether future recovery is expected.
Reversal of certain temporary differences are accounted for as current income tax expense due to the effects of past regulatory practices when deferred taxes were not required to be recorded due to the use of flow through accounting for ratemaking purposes.
Tax credits are recorded when earned unless there is a requirement to defer the benefit and amortize over the book depreciable lives of related property. The requirement to defer and amortize these credits specifically applies to certain federal ITCs, as determined by tax regulations and NSP-Wisconsin tax elections. For tax credits otherwise eligible to be recognized when earned, NSP-Wisconsin considers the impact of rate regulation to determine if these credits and related adjustments should be deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
NSP-Wisconsin measures and discloses uncertain tax positions that it has taken or expects to take in its income tax returns. A tax position is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. Recognition of changes in uncertain tax positions are reflected as a component of income tax expense.
Interest and penalties related to income taxes are reported within Other income (expense), net or interest charges in the consolidated statements of income.
Xcel Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries, including NSP-Wisconsin file consolidated federal income tax returns as well as consolidated or separate state income tax returns. Federal income taxes paid by Xcel Energy Inc. are allocated to its subsidiaries based on separate company computations. A similar allocation is made for state income taxes paid by Xcel Energy Inc. in connection with consolidated state filings. Xcel Energy Inc. also allocates its own income tax benefits to its direct subsidiaries.
See Note 7 for further information.
Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation in Regulated Operations - Property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost. The cost of plant includes direct labor and materials, contracted work, overhead costs and AFUDC. The cost of plant retired is charged to accumulated depreciation and amortization. Amounts recovered in rates for future removal costs are recorded as regulatory liabilities. Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance costs and replacement of items determined to be less than a unit of property are charged to expense as incurred.
Property, plant and equipment is tested for impairment when it is determined that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. A loss is recognized in the current period if it becomes probable that part of a cost of a plant under construction or recently completed plant will be disallowed for recovery from customers and a reasonable estimate of the disallowance can be made. For investments in property, plant and equipment that are abandoned and not expected to go into service, incurred costs and related deferred tax amounts are compared to the discounted estimated future rate recovery, and a loss is recognized, if necessary.
Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line method over the plant’s commission approved useful life. Actuarial life studies are performed and submitted to the state and federal commissions for review. Upon acceptance by the various commissions, the resulting lives and net salvage rates are used to calculate depreciation. Plant removal costs are typically recognized at the amounts recovered in rates as authorized by the applicable regulator. Accumulated removal costs are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as a regulatory liability. Depreciation expense, expressed as a percentage of average depreciable property, was approximately 3.7% in 2024 and 3.6% in 2023 and 2022.
See Note 3 for further information.
AROs - NSP-Wisconsin records AROs as a liability in the period incurred (if fair value can be reasonably estimated), with the offsetting/associated costs capitalized as a long-lived asset. The liability is generally increased over time by applying the effective interest method of accretion and the capitalized costs are typically depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset. Changes resulting from revisions to timing or amounts of expected asset retirement cash flows are recognized as an increase or a decrease in the ARO.
See Note 10 for further information.
Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - NSP-Wisconsin maintains pension and postretirement benefit plans for eligible employees. Recognizing the cost of providing benefits and measuring the projected benefit obligation of these plans requires management to make various assumptions and estimates.
Certain unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and unrecognized prior service costs or credits are deferred as regulatory assets and liabilities, rather than recorded as other comprehensive income, based on regulatory recovery mechanisms.
See Note 9 for further information.
Environmental Costs - Environmental costs are recorded when it is probable NSP-Wisconsin is liable for remediation costs and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Costs are deferred as a regulatory asset if it is probable the costs will be recovered from customers in future rates. Otherwise, the costs are expensed. For certain environmental costs related to facilities currently in use, such as for emission-control equipment, the cost is capitalized and depreciated over the life of the plant.
Estimated remediation costs are regularly adjusted as estimates are revised and remediation is performed. If other participating potentially responsible parties exist and acknowledge their potential involvement with a site, costs are estimated and recorded only for NSP-Wisconsin’s expected share of the cost.
Estimated future expenditures to restore sites are generally treated as a capitalized cost of plant retirement. The depreciation expense levels recoverable in rates include a provision for removal expenses. Removal costs recovered in rates before the related costs are incurred are classified as a regulatory liability. When separate mechanisms are expected to provide cost recovery or when changes in projected costs occur near the end of a facility’s useful life, regulatory accounting may be applied.
See Note 10 for further information.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Performance obligations related to the sale of energy are satisfied as energy is delivered to customers. NSP-Wisconsin recognizes revenue that corresponds to the price of the energy delivered to the customer. The measurement of energy sales to customers is generally based on the reading of their meters, which occurs systematically throughout the month. At the end of each month, amounts of energy delivered to customers since the date of the last meter reading are estimated, and the corresponding unbilled revenue is recognized.
A separate financing component of collections from customers is not recognized as contract terms are short-term in nature. Revenues are net of any excise or sales taxes or fees.
NSP-Wisconsin has various rate-adjustment mechanisms that provide for the recovery of natural gas, electric fuel and purchased energy costs. Cost-adjustment tariffs may increase or decrease the level of revenue collected from customers and are revised periodically for differences between the total amount collected under the clauses and the costs incurred. When applicable, fuel cost over-recoveries (the excess of fuel revenue billed to customers over fuel costs incurred) are deferred as regulatory liabilities and under-recoveries (the excess of fuel costs incurred over fuel revenues billed to customers) are deferred as regulatory assets. NSP-Wisconsin must submit a forward-looking fuel cost plan annually for approval by the PSCW. The rules also allow for deferral of any under-recovery or over-recovery of fuel costs in excess of a 2% annual tolerance band, for future rate recovery or refund, subject to PSCW approval.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - NSP-Wisconsin considers investments in instruments with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Bad Debts - Accounts receivable are stated at the actual billed amount net of an allowance for bad debts. NSP-Wisconsin establishes an allowance for uncollectible receivables based on a policy that reflects its expected exposure to the credit risk of customers.
As of Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023, the allowance for bad debts was $7 million and $9 million, respectively.
Inventory - Inventory is recorded at the lower of average cost or net realizable value and consisted of the following:
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023
Inventories
Materials and supplies $ 13 $ 11
Fuel 10 10
Natural gas 5 8
Total inventories $ 28 $ 29
Fair Value Measurements - NSP-Wisconsin presents cash equivalents, interest rate derivatives, rabbi trust assets, commodity derivatives, pension and postretirement plan assets at estimated fair values in its consolidated financial statements.
For interest rate derivatives, quoted prices based primarily on observable market interest rate curves are used to estimate fair value. For commodity derivatives, the most observable inputs available are generally used to determine the fair value of each contract. In the absence of a quoted price, quoted prices for similar contracts or internally prepared valuation models may be used to determine fair value.
For the pension and postretirement plan assets, published trading data and pricing models, generally using the most observable inputs available, are utilized to determine fair value for each security.
See Notes 8 and 9 for further information.
Derivative Instruments - NSP-Wisconsin uses derivative instruments in connection with its commodity trading activities, and to manage risk associated with changes in interest rates and utility commodity prices, including forward contracts, futures, swaps and options. Derivatives not qualifying for the normal purchases and normal sales exception are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value as derivative instruments. Classification of changes in fair value for those derivative instruments is dependent on the designation of a qualifying hedging relationship.
Changes in fair value of derivative instruments not designated in a qualifying hedging relationship are reflected in current earnings or as a regulatory asset or liability. Classification as a regulatory asset or liability is based on commission approved regulatory recovery mechanisms.
Gains or losses on commodity trading transactions are recorded as a component of electric operating revenues. Derivative instrument transactions were immaterial as of Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023.
Normal Purchases and Normal Sales - NSP-Wisconsin enters into contracts for purchases and sales of commodities for use and sale in its operations. At inception, contracts are evaluated to determine whether they contain a derivative, and if so, whether they may be exempted from derivative accounting if designated as normal purchases or normal sales.
Other Utility Items
AFUDC - AFUDC represents the cost of capital used to finance utility construction activity and is computed by applying a composite financing rate to qualified CWIP. The amount of AFUDC capitalized as a utility construction cost is credited to other nonoperating income (for equity capital) and interest charges (for debt capital). AFUDC amounts capitalized are included in NSP-Wisconsin’s rate base.
Alternative Revenue - Certain rate rider mechanisms qualify as alternative revenue programs. These mechanisms arise from instances in which the regulator authorizes a future surcharge in response to past activities or completed events. When certain criteria are met, including expected collection within 24 months, revenue is recognized, which may include incentives and return on rate base items.
The mechanisms are revised periodically for differences between total amount collected and the revenue earned, which may increase or decrease the level of revenue collected from customers. Alternative revenues arising from these programs are presented on a gross basis and disclosed separately from revenue from contracts with customers.
See Note 6 for further information.
Conservation Programs - NSP-Wisconsin participates in and funds conservation programs in its retail jurisdictions to assist customers in conserving energy and reducing peak demand on the electric and natural gas systems. NSP-Wisconsin recovers approved conservation program costs in base rate revenue.
For operations in the state of Wisconsin, NSP-Wisconsin is required to contribute 1.2% of its three-year average annual operating revenues to the statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program Focus on Energy. Funding is collected through base rates, and there is no financial incentive provided to the utility. The PSCW has oversight of Focus on Energy including auditing and verification of programs. The program portfolio is outsourced to a third-party administrator who subcontracts as necessary to implement programs.
Emissions Allowances - Emissions allowances are recorded at cost, including broker commission fees. The inventory accounting model is utilized for all emissions allowances and any sales of these allowances are included in electric revenues.
RECs - Cost of RECs that are utilized for compliance is recorded as electric fuel and purchased power expense. An inventory accounting model is used to account for RECs.
2. Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted
Segment Reporting - In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 - Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which extends the existing requirements for annual disclosures to quarterly periods, and requires that both annual and quarterly disclosures present segment expenses using line items consistent with information regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker. NSP-Wisconsin implemented this guidance on a retrospective basis in the year ended Dec. 31, 2024. The adoption impacts were not material.
See Note 11 for further information.
Recently Issued
Income Taxes - In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 - Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, with new disclosure requirements including presentation of prescribed line items in the ETR reconciliation and disclosures regarding state and local tax payments. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2024, and NSP-Wisconsin does not expect implementation of the new disclosure guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Climate-Related Disclosures - In March 2024, the SEC issued Final Rule 33-11275 - The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. This rule requires registrants to provide standardized disclosures in Form 10-K related to climate-related risks, Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, as well as to include in a footnote to the consolidated financial statements the financial impact of severe weather events and other natural conditions. The rule requires implementation in phases between 2025 and 2033. In April 2024, the SEC announced that it would voluntarily stay its final climate disclosure rules pending judicial review. NSP-Wisconsin does not expect the potential implementation of the new guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses - In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 - Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires disaggregated disclosure of income statement expenses for public business entities. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2026. NSP-Wisconsin is currently evaluating the impact of implementing the new disclosure guidance.
3. Property, Plant, and Equipment
Major classes of property, plant and equipment
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023
Property, plant and equipment, net
Electric plant $ 4,103 $ 3,845
Natural gas plant 547 502
Common and other property 309 278
CWIP 406 252
Total property, plant and equipment 5,365 4,877
Less accumulated depreciation (1,695) (1,640)
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 3,670 $ 3,237
Joint Ownership of Transmission Facilities
Jointly owned assets as of Dec. 31, 2024:
(Millions of Dollars, Except Percent Owned) Plant in Service Accumulated Depreciation Percent Owned
Electric transmission:
La Crosse, WI to Madison, WI $ 179 $ 30 37 %
CapX2020 169 44 80
Total (a)
$ 348 $ 74
(a)Projects additionally include $1 million in CWIP.
NSP-Wisconsin’s separately records its share of operating expenses and construction expenditures. Respective owners are responsible for providing their own financing.
4. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Regulatory assets and liabilities are created for amounts that regulators may allow to be collected or may require to be paid back to customers in future electric and natural gas rates. NSP-Wisconsin would be required to recognize the write-off of regulatory assets and liabilities in net income or other comprehensive income if changes in the utility industry no longer allow for the application of regulatory accounting guidance under GAAP.
Components of regulatory assets:
(Millions of Dollars) See Note(s) Remaining Amortization Period Dec. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023
Regulatory Assets Current Noncurrent Current Noncurrent
Pension and retiree medical obligations 9 Various $ 2 $ 60 $ 2 $ 62
Environmental remediation costs 1, 10 Various 13 34 13 48
Recoverable deferred taxes on AFUDC Plant lives - 31 - 26
State commission adjustments Plant lives 1 21 1 22
Net AROs (a)
1, 10 Various - 21 - 21
Other Various 7 1 8 6
Total regulatory assets $ 23 $ 168 $ 24 $ 185
(a)Includes amounts recorded for future recovery of AROs and NSP-Wisconsin’s share of nuclear decommissioning accruals.
Components of regulatory liabilities:
(Millions of Dollars) See Note(s) Remaining Amortization Period Dec. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023
Regulatory Liabilities Current Noncurrent Current Noncurrent
Plant removal costs 1, 10 Various $ - $ 276 $ - $ 251
Deferred income tax adjustments and TCJA refunds (a)
7 Various - 134 - 140
IRA deferral One to three years
3 37 - -
DOE Settlement One to two years
4 4 4 6
Deferred natural gas and electric energy/fuel costs Less than one year
13 - 28 -
Other Various 9 5 10 10
Total regulatory liabilities $ 29 $ 456 $ 42 $ 407
(a)Includes the revaluation of recoverable/regulated plant accumulated deferred income taxes and revaluation impact of non-plant accumulated deferred income taxes due to the TCJA.
NSP-Wisconsin’s regulatory assets not earning a return include the unfunded portion of pension and retiree medical obligations and net AROs (i.e. deferrals for which cash has not been disbursed). At Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no regulatory assets of past expenditures that were not eligible to earn a return.
5. Borrowings and Other Financing Instruments
Short Term Borrowings
NSP-Wisconsin meets its short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of commercial paper and borrowings under its credit facility and the money pool.
Money Pool - Xcel Energy Inc. and its utility subsidiaries have established a money pool arrangement that allows for short-term investments in and borrowings between the utility subsidiaries. Xcel Energy Inc. may make investments in the utility subsidiaries at market-based interest rates; however, the money pool arrangement does not allow the utility subsidiaries to make investments in Xcel Energy Inc.
Money pool borrowings:
(Millions of Dollars, Except Interest Rates) Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2024 Year Ended
2024 2023 2022
Borrowing limit $ 150 $ 150 $ 150 $ 150
Amount outstanding at period end - - - -
Average amount outstanding - 4 6 25
Maximum amount outstanding - 54 43 81
Weighted average interest rate, computed on a daily basis N/A 5.34 % 4.98 % 1.10 %
Weighted average interest rate at period end N/A N/A N/A N/A
Commercial Paper - Commercial paper outstanding:
(Millions of Dollars, Except Interest Rates) Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2024 Year Ended Dec. 31
2024 2023 2022
Borrowing limit $ 150 $ 150 $ 150 $ 150
Amount outstanding at period end 35 35 60 47
Average amount outstanding 3 11 15 18
Maximum amount outstanding 35 99 93 123
Weighted average interest rate, computed on a daily basis 4.59 % 5.42 % 4.85 % 1.03 %
Weighted average interest rate at end of period 4.59 4.59 5.50 4.55
Letters of Credit - NSP-Wisconsin may use letters of credit, typically with terms of one year, to provide financial guarantees for certain operating obligations. At Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023, there were immaterial letters of credit outstanding.
Credit Facility - In order to use commercial paper programs to fulfill short-term funding needs, NSP-Wisconsin must have revolving credit facilities in place at least equal to the amount of their respective commercial paper borrowing limits and cannot issue commercial paper exceeding available capacity under these credit facilities.
The lines of credit provide short-term financing in the form of notes payable to banks, letters of credit and back-up support for commercial paper borrowings.
Features of the credit facility:
Debt-to-Total Capitalization Ratio (a)
Amount Facility May Be Increased (millions of dollars) Additional Periods for Which a One-Year Extension May Be Requested (b)
2024 2023
47.1 % 48.2 % N/A 1
(a)The credit facility has a financial covenant requiring that the debt-to-total capitalization ratio be less than or equal to 65%.
(b)All extension requests are subject to majority bank group approval.
The credit facility has a cross-default provision that NSP-Wisconsin would be in default on borrowings under the facility if NSP-Wisconsin or any of its subsidiaries, whose total assets exceed 15% of NSP-Wisconsin’s consolidated total assets, default on certain indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75 million.
If NSP-Wisconsin does not comply with the covenant, an event of default may be declared, and if not remedied, any outstanding amounts due under the facility can be declared due by the lender. As of Dec. 31, 2024, NSP-Wisconsin was in compliance with the financial covenant.
NSP-Wisconsin had the following committed credit facility available as of Dec. 31, 2024 (in millions of dollars):
Credit Facility (a)
Drawn (b)
Available
$ 150 $ 35 $ 115
(a)This credit facility matures in September 2027.
(b)Includes outstanding commercial paper.
All credit facility bank borrowings, outstanding letters of credit and outstanding commercial paper reduce the available capacity under the credit facility. NSP-Wisconsin had no direct advances on the facility outstanding at Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Other Short-Term Borrowings - Clearwater Investments, Inc., an NSP-Wisconsin subsidiary, had an immaterial note payable to Xcel Energy Inc. at Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Long-Term Borrowings and Other Financing Instruments
Generally, the property of NSP-Wisconsin is subject to the lien of its first mortgage indenture for the benefit of bondholders. Debt premiums, discounts and expenses are amortized over the life of the related debt. The premiums, discounts and expenses for refinanced debt are deferred and amortized over the life of new issuance.
Long-term debt obligations for NSP-Wisconsin as of Dec. 31 (in millions of dollars):
Financing Instrument Interest Rate Maturity Date 2024 2023
First mortgage bonds 3.30 % June 15, 2024 $ - $ 100
First mortgage bonds 3.30 June 15, 2024 - 100
First mortgage bonds 6.375 Sept. 1, 2038 200 200
First mortgage bonds 3.70 Oct. 1, 2042 100 100
First mortgage bonds 3.75 Dec. 1, 2047 100 100
First mortgage bonds 4.20 Sept. 1, 2048 200 200
First mortgage bonds 3.05 May 1, 2051 100 100
First mortgage bonds 2.82 May 1, 2051 100 100
First mortgage bonds 4.86 Sept. 15, 2052 100 100
First mortgage bonds (a)
5.30 June 15, 2053 125 125
First mortgage bonds (b)
5.65 June 15, 2054 400 -
Unamortized discount (4) (3)
Unamortized debt issuance cost (15) (11)
Current maturities - (200)
Total long-term debt $ 1,406 $ 1,011
(a)2023 financing.
(b)2024 financing.
There are no maturities of long-term debt until 2038.
Dividend Restrictions - NSP-Wisconsin’s dividends are subject to the FERC’s jurisdiction, which prohibits the payment of dividends out of capital accounts. Dividends are solely to be paid from retained earnings.
NSP-Wisconsin’s state regulatory commission additionally imposes dividend limitations, which are more restrictive than those imposed by the FERC.
Requirements and actuals as of Dec. 31, 2024:
Equity to Total
Capitalization Ratio
Required Range (a)
Equity to Total Capitalization Ratio Actual
Low High 2024
52.5 % N/A 52.7 %
(a)NSP-Wisconsin cannot pay annual dividends in excess of forecasted levels if its average equity-to-total capitalization ratio falls below the commission authorized level.
Unrestricted Retained Earnings Total Capitalization Limit on Total Capitalization
$ 12 million $ 2,922 million N/A
.
6. Revenues
Revenue is classified by the type of goods/services rendered and market/customer type. NSP-Wisconsin’s operating revenues consisted of the following:
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2024
(Millions of Dollars) Electric Natural Gas All Other Total
Major revenue types
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Residential $ 283 $ 73 $ - $ 356
C&I 468 54 - 522
Other 7 - 1 8
Total retail 758 127 1 886
Interchange and other 225 6 - 231
Total revenue from contracts with customers 983 133 1 1,117
Alternative revenue and other 12 2 - 14
Total revenues $ 995 $ 135 $ 1 $ 1,131
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023
(Millions of Dollars) Electric Natural Gas All Other Total
Major revenue types
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Residential $ 299 $ 84 $ - $ 383
C&I 494 65 - 559
Other 7 - 1 8
Total retail 800 149 1 950
Interchange and other 207 5 - 212
Total revenue from contracts with customers 1,007 154 1 1,162
Alternative revenue and other 12 3 - 15
Total revenues $ 1,019 $ 157 $ 1 $ 1,177
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2022
(Millions of Dollars) Electric Natural Gas All Other Total
Major revenue types
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Residential $ 293 $ 103 $ - $ 396
C&I 485 87 - 572
Other 7 - - 7
Total retail 785 190 - 975
Interchange and other 206 4 - 210
Total revenue from contracts with customers 991 194 - 1,185
Alternative revenue and other 11 4 1 16
Total revenues $ 1,002 $ 198 $ 1 $ 1,201
7. Income Taxes
Total income tax expense from operations differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income tax expense.
Effective income tax rate for years ended Dec. 31:
2024 2023 2022
Federal statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
State income tax on pretax income, net of federal tax effect 6.2 6.2 6.2
Decreases in tax from:
Plant regulatory differences (a)
(4.2) (3.4) (3.8)
Other, net - (1.1) (1.5)
Effective income tax rate 23.0 % 22.7 % 21.9 %
(a)Plant regulatory differences primarily relate to the credit of excess deferred taxes to customers through the average rate assumption method. Income tax benefits associated with the credit are offset by corresponding revenue reductions.
Components of income tax expense for years ended Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2022
Current federal tax expense $ 29 $ 37 $ 28
Current state tax expense 10 15 9
Current change in unrecognized tax expense 1 - -
Deferred federal tax benefit (3) (10) (5)
Deferred state tax expense (benefit) 3 (3) 3
Deferred change in unrecognized tax expense - 1 -
Total income tax expense $ 40 $ 40 $ 35
Components of deferred income tax expense as of Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2022
Deferred tax expense (benefit) excluding items below $ 12 $ (3) $ 8
Amortization and adjustments to deferred income taxes on income tax regulatory assets and liabilities (11) (10) (10)
Other (1) 1 -
Deferred tax benefit $ - $ (12) $ (2)
Components of the net deferred tax liability as of Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023
Deferred tax liabilities:
Difference between book and tax bases of property $ 366 $ 350
Regulatory assets 17 22
Pension expense 9 10
Other 10 7
Total deferred tax liabilities $ 402 $ 389
Deferred tax assets:
Regulatory liabilities $ 40 $ 32
Rate refund 5 10
Environmental remediation 4 4
Other employee benefits 4 4
Tax credit carryforward 2 3
Deferred ITCs 2 2
Other 3 4
Total deferred tax assets $ 60 $ 59
Net deferred tax liability $ 342 $ 330
Other Income Tax Matters - NOL amounts represent the tax loss that is carried forward and tax credits represent the deferred tax asset. NOL and tax credit carryforwards as of Dec. 31 were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023
Federal tax credit carryforwards $ 2 $ 3
State NOL carryforward 1 2
Federal carryforward periods expire between 2038 and 2044. State carryforward periods expire in 2031.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Federal Audit - NSP-Wisconsin is a member of the Xcel Energy affiliated group that files a consolidated federal income tax return. Statute of limitations applicable to Xcel Energy’s consolidated federal income tax returns expire as follows:
Tax Year(s) Expiration
2014 - 2016 March 2025
2021 October 2025
Additionally, the statute of limitations related to the federal tax credit carryforwards will remain open until those credits are utilized in subsequent returns. Further, the statute of limitations related to the additional federal tax loss carryback claim filed in 2020 has been extended. In 2023 the IRS issued its Revenue Agent’s Report related to the federal tax loss carryback claim. The Company materially agreed with the report and re-recognized the related benefit in 2023.
State Audits - NSP-Wisconsin is a member of the Xcel Energy affiliated group that files consolidated state tax returns based on income in its major operating jurisdictions and various other state income-based tax returns. As of Dec. 31, 2024, NSP-Wisconsin’s earliest open tax years (subject to examination by state taxing authorities in its major operating jurisdictions) were as follows:
State Tax Year(s) Expiration
Wisconsin 2016-2019 May 2025
Wisconsin 2020 September 2025
In 2021, Wisconsin began an audit of tax years 2016-2019. As of Dec. 31, 2024 no material adjustments have been proposed.
Unrecognized tax benefit balance may include permanent tax positions, which if recognized would affect the ETR. In addition, the unrecognized tax benefit balance may include temporary tax positions for which deductibility is highly certain, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing. A change in the period of deductibility would not affect the ETR but would accelerate the payment to the taxing authority.
Unrecognized tax benefits - permanent vs. temporary:
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023
Unrecognized tax benefit - Permanent tax positions $ 4 $ 3
Unrecognized tax benefit - Temporary tax positions - -
Total unrecognized tax benefit $ 4 $ 3
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2022
Balance at Jan. 1 $ 3 $ 3 $ 3
Additions for tax positions of prior years 2 - -
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (1) - -
Balance at Dec. 31 $ 4 $ 3 $ 3
Unrecognized tax benefits were reduced by tax benefits associated with tax credit carryforwards:
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023
Tax credit carryforwards $ (2) $ (2)
As the state audit progresses, it is reasonably possible that the amount of current liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits could decrease up to approximately $2 million in the next 12 months. Additionally, there exists approximately $2 million of noncurrent liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits for which there is uncertainty about if or when these liabilities will significantly increase or decrease.
Payable for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is partially offset by the interest benefit associated with tax credit carryforwards.
Interest payable related to unrecognized tax benefits:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2022
Payable for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits at Jan. 1 $ - $ - $ -
Interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits (1) - -
Payable for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits at Dec. 31 $ (1) $ - $ -
No penalties were accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as of Dec. 31, 2024, 2023 or 2022.
8. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Fair Value Measurements
Accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures provides a hierarchical framework for disclosing the observability of the inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value.
•Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 1 are actively traded instruments with observable actual trading prices.
•Level 2 - Pricing inputs are other than actual trading prices in active markets but are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are typically either comparable to actively traded securities or contracts or priced with models using highly observable inputs.
•Level 3 - Significant inputs to pricing have little or no observability as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 include those valued with models requiring significant judgment or estimation.
Fair Value of Long-Term Debt
As of Dec. 31, other financial instruments for which the carrying amount did not equal fair value:
2024 2023
(Millions of Dollars) Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion $ 1,406 $ 1,299 $ 1,211 $ 1,117
Fair value of NSP-Wisconsin’s long-term debt is estimated based on recent trades and observable spreads from benchmark interest rates for similar securities. Fair value estimates are based on information available to management as of Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023, and given the observability of the inputs, fair values presented for long-term debt were assigned as Level 2.
9. Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Xcel Energy, which includes NSP-Wisconsin, has several noncontributory, qualified, defined benefit pension plans that cover almost all employees. All newly hired or rehired employees participate under the Cash Balance formula, which is based on pay credits using a percentage of annual eligible pay and annual interest credits.
The average annual interest crediting rates for these plans was 4.89, 4.67 and 4.86 percent in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Some employees may participate under legacy formulas such as the traditional final average pay or pension equity. Xcel Energy’s policy is to fully fund into an external trust the actuarially determined pension costs subject to the limitations of applicable employee benefit and tax laws.
In addition to the qualified pension plans, Xcel Energy maintains a SERP and a nonqualified pension plan. The SERP is maintained for certain executives who participated in the plan in 2008, when the SERP was closed to new participants.
The nonqualified pension plan provides benefits for compensation that is in excess of the limits applicable to the qualified pension plans, with distributions funded by Xcel Energy’s consolidated operating cash flows.
Obligations of the SERP and nonqualified plan as of Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023 were $13 million and $12 million, respectively, of which an immaterial amount was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
Xcel Energy’s postretirement health care benefit plan is a continuation of certain welfare benefit programs for current employees. A full-time employee’s date of hire or a retiree’s date of retirement determine eligibility for each of the programs.
Xcel Energy’s investment-return assumption considers the expected long-term performance for each of the asset classes in its pension and postretirement health care portfolio. Xcel Energy considers the historical returns achieved by its asset portfolios over long time periods, as well as the long-term projected return levels from investment experts. Xcel Energy and NSP-Wisconsin continually review their pension assumptions.
Pension cost determination assumes a forecasted mix of investment types over the long-term.
•Investment returns in 2024 were below the assumed level of 7.25%.
•Investment returns in 2023 were above the assumed level of 7.25%.
•Investment returns in 2022 were below the assumed level of 6.60%.
•In 2025, NSP-Wisconsin’s expected investment-return assumption is 7.25%.
Pension plan and postretirement benefit assets are invested in a portfolio according to Xcel Energy’s return, liquidity and diversification objectives to provide a source of funding for plan obligations and minimize contributions to the plan, within appropriate levels of risk.
The principal mechanism for achieving these objectives is the asset allocation given the long-term risk, return, correlation and liquidity characteristics of each particular asset class.
There were no significant concentrations of risk in any industry, index, or entity. Market volatility can impact even well-diversified portfolios and significantly affect the return levels achieved by the assets in any year.
Xcel Energy’s ongoing investment strategy is based on plan-specific investment recommendations that seek to minimize potential investment and interest rate risk as a plan’s funded status increases over time.
The investment recommendations consider many factors and generally result in a greater percentage of long-duration fixed income securities being allocated to specific plans having relatively higher funded status ratios and a greater percentage of growth assets being allocated to plans having relatively lower funded status ratios.
Plan Assets
For each of the fair value hierarchy levels, NSP-Wisconsin’s pension plan assets measured at fair value:
Dec. 31, 2024 (a)
Dec. 31, 2023 (a)
(Millions of Dollars) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Measured at NAV Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Measured at NAV Total
Cash equivalents $ 4 $ - $ - $ - $ 4 $ 8 $ - $ - $ - $ 8
Commingled funds - - - 62 62 19 - - 45 64
Debt securities - 22 - - 22 - 22 - - 22
Equity securities 1 - - - 1 1 - - - 1
Total $ 5 $ 22 $ - $ 62 $ 89 $ 28 $ 22 $ - $ 45 $ 95
(a)See Note 8 for further information on fair value measurement inputs and methods.
NSP-Wisconsin has immaterial postretirement benefit plan assets that were measured at fair value at Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023.
Immaterial assets were transferred in or out of Level 3 for 2024. No assets were transferred in or out of Level 3 for 2023.
Funded Status - Comparisons of the actuarially computed benefit obligation, changes in plan assets and funded status of the pension and postretirement health care plans for NSP-Wisconsin are as follows:
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Obligation at Jan. 1 $ 112 $ 112 $ 8 $ 8
Service cost 4 4 - -
Interest cost 6 6 1 1
Actuarial (gain) loss (5) 1 - -
Benefit payments (14) (11) (1) (1)
Obligation at Dec. 31 $ 103 $ 112 $ 8 $ 8
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at Jan. 1 $ 95 $ 97 $ - $ -
Actual return on plan assets 1 5 - -
Employer contributions 7 4 1 1
Benefit payments (14) (11) (1) (1)
Fair value of plan assets at Dec. 31 $ 89 $ 95 $ - $ -
Funded status of plans at Dec. 31 $ (14) $ (17) $ (8) $ (8)
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at Dec. 31:
Current liabilities $ - $ - $ (1) $ (1)
Noncurrent liabilities (14) (17) (7) (7)
Net amounts recognized $ (14) $ (17) $ (8) $ (8)
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
Significant Assumptions Used to Measure Benefit Obligations: 2024 2023 2024 2023
Discount rate for year-end valuation 5.88 % 5.49 % 5.88 % 5.54 %
Expected average long-term increase in compensation level 4.25 % 4.25 % N/A N/A
Mortality table Pri-2012 Pri-2012 Pri-2012 Pri-2012
Health care costs trend rate - initial: Pre-65 N/A N/A 7.00 % 6.50 %
Health care costs trend rate - initial: Post-65 N/A N/A 7.50 % 5.50 %
Ultimate trend assumption - initial: Pre-65 N/A N/A 4.50 % 4.50 %
Ultimate trend assumption - initial: Post-65 N/A N/A 4.50 % 4.50 %
Years until ultimate trend is reached N/A N/A 9 6
Accumulated benefit obligation for the pension plan was $93 million and $100 million as of Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) - Net periodic benefit cost (credit), other than the service cost component, is included in other expense in the consolidated statements of income.
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income and regulatory assets and liabilities:
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2022
Service cost $ 4 $ 4 $ 5 $ - $ - $ -
Interest cost 6 6 4 1 1 1
Expected return on plan assets (9) (8) (8) - - -
Amortization of net loss 2 2 3 - - -
Settlement charge (a)
6 - 6 - - -
Net periodic pension cost $ 9 $ 4 $ 10 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1
Effects of regulation (1) - (2) - -
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting $ 8 $ 4 $ 8 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1
Significant Assumptions Used to Measure Costs:
Discount rate 5.49 % 5.80 % 3.08 % 5.54 % 5.80 % 3.09 %
Expected average long-term increase in compensation level 4.25 4.25 3.75 - - -
Expected average long-term rate of return on assets 7.25 7.25 6.60 5.00 5.00 4.10
(a)A settlement charge is required when the amount of all lump-sum distributions during the year is greater than the sum of the service and interest cost components of the annual net periodic pension cost. In 2024 and 2022, as a result of lump-sum distributions during the plan years, NSP-Wisconsin recorded a total pension settlement charge of $6 million, of which $1 million was recorded in the income statement. There were no settlement charges recorded to the qualified pension plans in 2023.
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Amounts Not Yet Recognized as Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net loss $ 43 $ 48 $ 3 $ 3
Total $ 43 $ 48 $ 3 $ 3
Amounts Not Yet Recognized as Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Have Been Recorded as Follows Based Upon Expected Recovery in Rates:
Current regulatory assets $ 2 $ 2 $ - $ -
Noncurrent regulatory assets 41 46 3 3
Total $ 43 $ 48 $ 3 $ 3
Measurement date Dec. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023
Cash Flows - Funding requirements can be impacted by changes to actuarial assumptions, actual asset levels and other calculations prescribed by the requirements of income tax and other pension-related regulations. Required contributions were made in 2020-2023 to meet minimum funding requirements.
Total voluntary and required pension funding contributions across all four of Xcel Energy’s pension plans were as follows:
•$125 million in January 2025, of which $9 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
•$100 million in 2024, of which $7 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
•$50 million in 2023, of which $4 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
•$50 million in 2022, of which $1 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
The postretirement health care plans have no funding requirements other than fulfilling benefit payment obligations when claims are presented and approved. Additional cash funding requirements are prescribed by certain state and federal rate regulatory authorities.
Xcel Energy’s voluntary postretirement funding contributions were as follows:
•$8 million expected in 2025, of which $1 million is attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
•$11 million during 2024, of which an $1 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
•$11 million during 2023, of which none was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
•$13 million during 2022, of which $1 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin.
Target asset allocations:
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
2024 2023 2024 2023
Long-duration fixed income and interest rate swap securities 38 % 38 % - % - %
Domestic and international equity securities 31 31 25 9
Alternative investments 20 20 11 13
Short-to-intermediate fixed income securities 9 9 61 77
Cash 2 2 3 1
Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
The asset allocations above reflect target allocations approved in the calendar year to take effect in the subsequent year.
Plan Amendments - There were no significant plan amendments made in 2024 and 2022 which affected the pension or postretirement benefit obligation.
In 2023, Xcel Energy amended the Xcel Energy Pension Plan and Xcel Energy Inc. Nonbargaining Pension Plan (South) to reduce supplemental social security benefits for all active participants on and after Jan. 1, 2024.
Projected Benefit Payments
NSP-Wisconsin’s projected benefit payments:
(Millions of Dollars) Projected
Pension Benefit
Payments Net Projected
Postretirement Health Care
Benefit Payments (a)
2025 $ 10 $ 1
2026 8 1
2027 9 1
2028 10 1
2029 11 1
2030-2034 50 3
(a)Amount is reported net of expected Medicare Part D subsidies, which are immaterial.
Voluntary Retirement Program
Incremental to amounts presented above for postretirement benefits, Xcel Energy, which includes NSP-Wisconsin, recognized new post-employment costs and obligations in the fourth quarter of 2023 for employees accepted to a voluntary retirement program.
Immaterial unfunded obligations for health plan subsidies and other medical benefits are presented in other current liabilities and noncurrent pension and employee benefit obligations in the consolidated balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023.
Defined Contribution Plans
Xcel Energy, which includes NSP-Wisconsin, maintains 401(k) and other defined contribution plans that cover most employees. The expense to these plans for NSP-Wisconsin was approximately $2 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Multiemployer Plans
NSP-Wisconsin contributes to several union multiemployer pension plans, none of which are individually significant. These plans provide pension benefits to certain union employees who may perform services for multiple employers and do not participate in the NSP-Wisconsin sponsored pension plans. Contributing to these types of plans creates risk that differs from providing benefits under NSP-Wisconsin sponsored plans, in that if another participating employer ceases to contribute to a multiemployer pension plan, additional unfunded obligations may need to be funded over time by remaining participating employers.
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal
NSP-Wisconsin is involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or is a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Management maintains accruals for losses probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation.
Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of a reasonably possible loss in certain situations, including but not limited to when (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories.
In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution, including a possible eventual loss. For current proceedings not specifically reported herein, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liabilities, if any, would have a material effect on NSP-Wisconsin’s consolidated financial statements. Legal fees are generally expensed as incurred.
Gas Trading Litigation - e prime is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy. e prime was in the business of natural gas trading and marketing but has not engaged in natural gas trading or marketing activities since 2003. Multiple lawsuits involving multiple plaintiffs seeking monetary damages were commenced against e prime and its affiliates, including Xcel Energy, between 2003 and 2009 alleging fraud and anticompetitive activities in conspiring to restrain the trade of natural gas and manipulate natural gas prices. Cases were all consolidated in the U.S. District Court in Nevada.
One case remains active which includes a multi-district litigation matter consisting of a Wisconsin purported class (Arandell Corp.). The Court issued a ruling in June 2022 granting plaintiffs’ class certification. In April 2023, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard the defendants’ appeal challenging whether the district court properly assessed class certification. A decision relating to class certification is forthcoming. Xcel Energy considers the reasonably possible loss associated with this litigation to be immaterial.
Rate Matters
NSP-Wisconsin is involved in various regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Until resolution, typically in the form of a rate order, uncertainties may exist regarding the ultimate rate treatment for certain activities and transactions. Amounts have been recognized for probable and reasonably estimable losses that may result. Unless otherwise disclosed, any reasonably possible range of loss in excess of any recognized amount is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Environmental
New and changing federal and state environmental mandates can create financial liabilities for NSP-Wisconsin, which are normally recovered through the regulated rate process.
Site Remediation
Various federal and state environmental laws impose liability where hazardous substances or other regulated materials have been released to the environment. NSP-Wisconsin may sometimes pay all or a portion of the cost to remediate sites where past activities of NSP-Wisconsin’s predecessors or other parties have caused environmental contamination.
Environmental contingencies could arise from various situations, including sites of former MGPs; and third-party sites, such as landfills, for which NSP-Wisconsin is alleged to have sent wastes to that site.
MGP, Landfill and Disposal Sites
NSP-Wisconsin is investigating, remediating or performing post-closure actions at one MGP site across its service territories.
NSP-Wisconsin has recognized $12 million of costs/liabilities for resolution of these issues; however, the final outcome and timing are unknown. In addition, there may be insurance recovery and/or recovery from other potentially responsible parties, offsetting a portion of costs incurred.
Environmental Requirements - Water and Waste
Coal Ash Regulation - NSP-Wisconsin is subject to the CCR Rule, which imposes requirements for handling, storage, treatment and disposal of coal ash and other solid waste.
In May 2024, final amendments to the CCR Rule were published, widening its scope to include legacy CCR surface impoundments at inactive facilities and previously exempt areas where CCR was placed directly on land at CCR-regulated facilities, including areas of beneficial use.
As a requirement of the CCR Rule, utilities must complete facility evaluations and groundwater sampling around their subject landfills, surface impoundments and certain other areas where coal ash was placed on land.
If certain impacts to groundwater are detected, utilities may be required to perform additional groundwater investigations and/or perform corrective actions, typically beginning with an Assessment of Corrective Measures.
NSP-Wisconsin expects to incur nominal expenses for investigations through 2028 to perform required reporting and assess whether corrective actions are necessary. AROs have been recorded for each of these activities, and amounts are expected to be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms.
NSP-Wisconsin continues to evaluate the 2024 updates to the CCR Rule, the interpretations of those updates and how they will apply to specific sites. Assessment of the recent updates to the CCR Rule and corresponding site investigation activities may result in updates to estimated costs as well as identification of additional required corrective actions.
Clean Water Act Section 316(b) - The Federal Clean Water Act requires the EPA to regulate cooling water intake structures to assure they reflect the best technology available for minimizing impingement and entrainment of aquatic species.
NSP-Wisconsin estimates capital expenditures of approximately $4 million may be required to comply with the requirements. NSP-Wisconsin believes two plants could be required to make improvements to reduce impingement and entrainment. NSP-Wisconsin anticipates these costs will be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms.
Environmental Requirements - Air
Clean Air Act NOx Allowance Allocations - In June 2023, the EPA published final regulations for ozone under the “Good Neighbor” provisions of the Clean Air Act. The final rule applies to generation facilities in Wisconsin, as well as other states outside of our service territory. The rule establishes an allowance trading program for NOx that will impact NSP-Wisconsin fossil fuel-fired electric generating facilities. Subject facilities will have to secure additional allowances, install NOx controls and/or develop a strategy of operations that utilizes the existing allowance allocations.
While the financial impacts of the final rule are uncertain and dependent on market forces and anticipated generation, NSP-Wisconsin anticipates the annual costs could be significant, but would be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms.
In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order granting a stay of the final rule. In response, the EPA has communicated intent to issue an administrative stay of the rule nationwide. Depending on the outcomes of the underlying legal challenges, the regulation may become applicable in the future.
AROs - AROs have been recorded for NSP-Wisconsin’s assets.
NSP-Wisconsin’s AROs were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) Jan. 1, 2024 Amounts Incurred Dec. 31, 2024
Electric
Steam, hydro and other production $ 9 $ 1 $ 10
Distribution 5 - 5
Natural gas
Distribution 8 - 8
Total liability (a)
$ 22 $ 1 $ 23
(a)Included in other long-term liabilities balance in the consolidated balance sheet.
(Millions of Dollars) Jan. 1, 2023 Accretion Cash Flow Revisions (a)
Dec. 31, 2023
Electric
Steam, hydro and other production $ 10 $ - $ (1) $ 9
Distribution 5 - - 5
Natural gas
Distribution 13 1 (6) 8
Total liability (b)
$ 28 $ 1 $ (7) $ 22
(a)In 2023, AROs were revised for changes in timing and estimates of cash flows. Changes in gas distribution AROs were a result of updated mileage of gas lines and number of services, as well as changes to inflation and discount rate assumptions.
(b)Included in other long-term liabilities balance in the consolidated balance sheet.
Indeterminate AROs - Outside of the recorded asbestos AROs, other plants or buildings may contain asbestos due to the age of many of NSP-Wisconsin’s facilities, but no confirmation or measurement of the cost of removal could be determined as of Dec. 31, 2024. Therefore, an ARO has not been recorded for these facilities.
Joint Operating System
The electric production and transmission system of NSP-Wisconsin is managed as the NSP System. The electric production and transmission costs of the entire NSP System are shared by NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin. A FERC approved agreement between the two companies, called the Interchange Agreement, provides for the sharing of all costs of generation and transmission facilities of the system, including capital costs. Such costs include current and potential obligations of NSP-Minnesota related to its nuclear generating facilities.
NSP-Minnesota’s public liability for claims from any nuclear incident is limited to $16.3 billion under the Price-Anderson amendment to the Atomic Energy Act. NSP-Minnesota has $500 million of coverage for its public liability exposure with a pool of insurance companies. The remaining $15.8 billion of exposure is funded by the Secondary Financial Protection Program available from assessments by the federal government.
NSP-Minnesota is subject to assessments of up to $166 million per reactor-incident for each of its three reactors, for public liability arising from a nuclear incident at any licensed nuclear facility in the United States. The maximum funding requirement is $25 million per reactor-incident during any one year. Maximum assessments are subject to inflation adjustments.
NSP-Minnesota purchases insurance for property damage and site decontamination cleanup costs from NEIL and EMANI for each of NSP-Minnesota’s two nuclear plant sites. The coverage limits are $2.8 billion for both Monticello and Prairie Island. NEIL also provides business interruption insurance coverage up to $490 million and $420 million at Monticello and Prairie Island, respectively, including the cost of replacement power during prolonged accidental outages of nuclear generating units. Premiums are expensed over the policy term.
All companies insured with NEIL are subject to retroactive premium adjustments if losses exceed accumulated reserve funds. Capital has been accumulated in the reserve funds of NEIL and EMANI to the extent that NSP-Minnesota would have no exposure for retroactive premium assessments in case of a single incident under the business interruption and the property damage insurance coverage. NSP-Minnesota could be subject to annual maximum assessments of $19 million for business interruption insurance and $34 million for property damage insurance if losses exceed accumulated reserve funds.
Fuel Contracts
NSP-Wisconsin has entered into various long-term commitments for the purchase and delivery of a significant portion of its refuse-derived fuel/wood and natural gas requirements. These contracts expire between 2025 and 2037. NSP-Wisconsin is required to pay additional amounts depending on actual quantities shipped under these agreements.
As NSP-Wisconsin does not have an automatic electric fuel adjustment clause for Wisconsin retail customers, NSP-Wisconsin utilizes deferred accounting treatment for future rate recovery or refund when fuel costs differ from the amount included in rates by more than 2% on an annual basis, as determined by the PSCW after an opportunity for a hearing and an earnings test based on NSP-Wisconsin’s authorized ROE.
Estimated minimum purchases under these contracts as of Dec. 31, 2024:
(Millions of Dollars) RDF/wood Natural gas
supply Natural gas
storage and
transportation
2025 $ 5 $ 12 $ 21
2026 1 - 22
2027 1 - 16
2028 1 - 7
2029 1 - 6
Thereafter 1 - 15
Total (a)
$ 10 $ 12 $ 87
(a)Excludes additional amounts allocated from NSP-Minnesota through interchange billings.
Additional expenditures for fuel and natural gas storage and transportation will be required to meet expected future electric generation and natural gas needs.
11. Segment Information
NSP-Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy. NSP-Wisconsin’s chief operating decision maker, the CEO of Xcel Energy, sets financial performance objectives and budgets, with separate targets for regulated electric utility and regulated natural gas utility net income.
The regulated electric utility and regulated natural gas utility segments are managed separately because of inherent differences between activities to serve electric customers and those required to serve natural gas customers, and as the revenue streams are dependent upon regulated rate recovery, which is separately determined for each segment. The CEO assesses financial performance, including quarterly and annual budget-to-actual and year-over-year variances in revenues and expenses, to inform operating decisions, capital investments and cost recovery strategies.
NSP-Wisconsin has the following reportable segments:
•Regulated Electric Utility - The regulated electric utility segment generates, purchases, transmits, distributes and sells electricity in Michigan and Wisconsin; each state’s regulated electric utility activities qualify as an operating segment, and is aggregated into Xcel Energy’s regulated electric utility segment.
•Regulated Natural Gas Utility - The regulated natural gas utility segment purchases, transports, stores, distributes and sells natural gas in portions of Michigan and Wisconsin; each state’s regulated natural gas utility activities qualify as an operating segment, and is aggregated into Xcel Energy’s regulated natural gas utility segment.
Asset and capital expenditure information is not provided for NSP-Wisconsin’s reportable segments. As an integrated electric and natural gas utility, NSP-Wisconsin operates significant assets that are not dedicated to a specific business segment.
Reporting assets and capital expenditures by business segment would require arbitrary and potentially misleading allocations, which may not necessarily reflect the assets that would be required for the operation of the business segments on a stand-alone basis.
Certain costs, such as common depreciation, common O&M expenses and interest expense are allocated based on cost causation allocators across each segment. In addition, a general allocator is used for certain general and administrative expenses, including office supplies, rent, property insurance and general advertising.
Other segment expenses, net, for the reportable segments includes conservation and DSM expenses, taxes (other than income taxes), other income (expense), net, intersegment expenses and AFUDC - equity.
Non-segment revenues include appliance repair and non-utility real estate activities and revenues associated with processing solid waste into RDF. Non-segment net income also includes costs associated with these activities.
Segment information and reconciliations to NSP-Wisconsin’s consolidated operating revenues and net income:
(Millions of Dollars) Regulated electric utility Regulated natural gas utility Total segments
Operating revenues (a)
$ 995 $ 135 $ 1,130
Intersegment revenue - 1 1
Total segment revenues 995 136 1,131
Electric fuel and purchased power 397 - 397
Cost of natural gas sold and transported - 55 55
O&M expenses 201 28 229
Depreciation and amortization 156 30 186
Other segment expenses, net
29 5 34
Interest charges and financing costs 54 7 61
Income tax expense 37 2 39
Net income $ 121 $ 9 $ 130
Total segment revenues $ 1,131
Eliminate intersegment revenue (1)
Non-segment revenues 1
Consolidated operating revenues $ 1,131
Total segment net income $ 130
Non-segment net income 4
Consolidated net income $ 134
(a)Operating revenues include $216 million of affiliate electric revenue. See Note 12 for further information.
(Millions of Dollars) Regulated electric utility Regulated natural gas utility Total segments
Operating revenues (a)
$ 1,019 $ 157 $ 1,176
Intersegment revenues - 1 1
Total segment revenues 1,019 158 1,177
Electric fuel and purchased power 422 - 422
Cost of natural gas sold and transported - 80 80
O&M expenses 210 28 238
Depreciation and amortization 142 28 170
Other segment expenses, net (b)
36 6 42
Interest charges and financing costs 45 5 50
Income tax expense 38 2 40
Net income 126 9 $ 135
Total segment revenues $ 1,177
Eliminate intersegment revenue (1)
Non-segment revenues 1
Consolidated operating revenues $ 1,177
Total segment net income $ 135
Non-segment net income 1
Consolidated net income $ 136
(a)Operating revenues include $204 million of affiliate electric revenue. See Note 12 for further information.
(b)Other segment expenses, net, for 2023 additionally includes workforce reduction expenses.
(Millions of Dollars) Regulated electric utility Regulated natural gas utility Total segments
Operating revenues (a)
$ 1,002 $ 198 $ 1,200
Electric fuel and purchased power 463 - 463
Cost of natural gas sold and transported - 116 116
O&M expenses 202 23 225
Depreciation and amortization 131 27 158
Other segment expenses, net 34 5 39
Interest charges and financing costs 38 4 42
Income tax expense 29 6 35
Net income 105 17 $ 122
Total segment revenues $ 1,200
Non-segment revenues 1
Consolidated operating revenues $ 1,201
Total segment net income $ 122
Non-segment net income 3
Consolidated net income $ 125
(a)Operating revenues include $202 million of affiliate electric revenue. See Note 12 for further information.
12. Related Party Transactions
Xcel Energy Services Inc. provides management, administrative and other services for the subsidiaries of Xcel Energy Inc., including NSP-Wisconsin. The services are provided and billed to each subsidiary in accordance with service agreements executed by each subsidiary. NSP-Wisconsin uses services provided by Xcel Energy Services Inc. whenever possible. Costs are charged directly to the subsidiary and are allocated if they cannot be directly assigned.
Xcel Energy, Inc., NSP-Minnesota, NSP-Wisconsin, PSCo and SPS have established a utility money pool arrangement.
The electric production and transmission costs of the entire NSP System are shared by NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin. The Interchange Agreement provides for the sharing of all costs of generation and transmission facilities of the system, including capital costs.
Significant affiliate transactions among the companies and related parties including billings under the Interchange Agreement for the years ended Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2022
Operating revenues:
Electric $ 216 $ 204 $ 202
Operating expenses:
Purchased power 384 424 445
Transmission expense 75 69 68
Natural gas purchased for resale 1 1 -
Other operating expenses - paid to Xcel Energy Services Inc. 129 119 114
Interest income - 1 -
Interest expense 1 1 1
Accounts receivable and payable with affiliates at Dec. 31 were:
2024 2023
(Millions of Dollars) Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable
NSP-Minnesota $ 28 $ - $ - $ 9
PSCo 2 - 1 -
Other subsidiaries of Xcel Energy Inc. 3 13 12 13
$ 33 $ 13 $ 13 $ 22
13. Workforce Reduction
In 2023, Xcel Energy implemented workforce actions to align resources and investments with evolving business and customer needs and streamline the organization for long-term success.
In September 2023, Xcel Energy announced a voluntary retirement program to a group of eligible non-bargaining employees, with an enhanced retirement package including certain health care and cash benefits for accepted employees. Approximately 400 employees retired under this program in December 2023.
In November 2023, Xcel Energy, Inc. also reduced its non-bargaining workforce by approximately 150 employees through an involuntary severance program.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Xcel Energy recorded total expense of $72 million related to these workforce actions, of which $5 million was attributable to NSP-Wisconsin. Expenses relate to the estimated cost of future health plan subsidies and other medical benefits for the voluntary retirement program, as well as severance and other employee payouts and legal and other professional fees.
No such activities occurred in 2024.
For further information on the estimated obligations for future health plan subsidies and other medical benefits, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
NSP-Wisconsin maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. In addition, the disclosure controls and procedures ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, allowing timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of Dec. 31, 2024, based on an evaluation carried out under the supervision and with the participation of NSP-Wisconsin’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, the CEO and CFO have concluded that NSP-Wisconsin’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
No changes in NSP-Wisconsin’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, NSP-Wisconsin’s internal control over financial reporting. NSP-Wisconsin maintains internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the financial reporting. NSP-Wisconsin has evaluated and documented its controls in process activities, general computer activities, and on an entity-wide level.
During the year and in preparation for issuing its report for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024 on internal controls under section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, NSP-Wisconsin conducted testing and monitoring of its internal control over financial reporting. Based on the control evaluation, testing and remediation performed, NSP-Wisconsin did not identify any material control weaknesses, as defined under the standards and rules issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, as approved by the SEC and as indicated in NSP-Wisconsin’s Management Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting, which is contained in Item 8 herein.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of NSP-Wisconsin’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by NSP-Wisconsin’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit NSP-Wisconsin to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B - OTHER INFORMATION
None.

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required under this Item is contained in Xcel Energy Inc.’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14 - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information required under this Item (aggregate fees billed to us by our principal accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP (PCAOB ID No. 34)) is contained in Xcel Energy Inc.’s Proxy Statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15 - EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
1 Consolidated Financial Statements
Management Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - For the year ended Dec. 31, 2024.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Income - For each of the three years ended Dec. 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - For each of the three years ended Dec. 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For each of the three years ended Dec. 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Consolidated Balance Sheets - As of Dec. 31, 2024 and 2023.
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity - For each of the three years ended Dec. 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
2 Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for each of the years ended Dec. 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
3 Exhibits
* Indicates incorporation by reference
+ Executive Compensation Arrangements and Benefit Plans Covering Executive Officers and Directors
Exhibit Number Description Report or Registration Statement Exhibit Reference
3.01*
Amended and restated articles of incorporation of NSP-Wisconsin
NSP-Wisconsin Form S-4 dated Jan. 21, 2004 3.01
3.02*
By-Laws of NSP-Wisconsin as Amended and Restated on Jan. 25, 2019
NSP-Wisconsin Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 3.02
4.01*
Supplemental and Restated Trust Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1991, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to First Wisconsin Trust Company), as Trustee, providing for the issuance of First Mortgage Bonds
Xcel Energy Inc. Form S-3 dated April 18, 2018 4(c)(3)
4.02*
Trust Indenture, dated Sept. 1, 2000, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Firstar Bank, NA) as Trustee
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated Sept. 25, 2000 4.01
4.03*
Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of Sept. 1, 2008, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $200 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due Sept. 1, 2038
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated Sept. 3, 2008 4.01
4.04*
Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of Oct. 1, 2012, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $100 million aggregate principal amount of 3.70% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due Oct. 1, 2042
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated Oct. 10, 2012 4.01
4.05*
Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of Nov 1, 2017, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $100 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due Dec. 1, 2047
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated Dec. 4, 2017 4.01
4.06*
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of Sept. 1, 2018, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $200 million aggregate principal amount of 4.20% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due Sept. 1, 2048
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated Sept. 12, 2018 4.01
4.07*
Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2020, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $100 million aggregate principal amount of 3.05% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due May 1, 2051
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated May 26, 2020 4.01
4.08*
Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of July 19, 2021, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $100 million aggregate principal amount of 2.82% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due May 1, 2051
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated July 20, 2021
4.01
4.09*
Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2022, by and between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee, creating $100 million aggregate principal amount of 4.86% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due Sept. 15, 2052
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated July 15, 2022 4.01
4.10*
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 10, 2023 between NSP-Wisconsin and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor Trustee, creating 5.30% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due June 15, 2053
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated May 10, 2023
4.01
4.11*
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 13, 2024 between Northern States Power Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor Trustee, creating $400 million principal amount of 5.65% First Mortgage Bonds, Series due June 15, 2054
NSP-Wisconsin Form 8-K dated May 16, 2024 4.01
10.01*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Nonqualified Pension Plan (2009 Restatement)
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 10.02
10.02*+
Xcel Energy Senior Executive Severance and Change-in-Control Policy (2009 Restatement)
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 10.05
10.03*+
Second Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated Oct. 26, 2011
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 10.18
10.04*+
Fifth Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated May 3, 2016
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 10.01
10.05*+
Seventh Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated May 7, 2018
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 10.01
10.06*+
Eighth Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated March 31, 2020
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 10.02
10.07*+
Ninth Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated May 22, 2020
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 10.01
10.08+
Tenth Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated May 20, 2024
10.09*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as amended and restated Jan. 1, 2009
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 10.17
10.10*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (2009 Restatement)
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 10.07
10.11*+
First Amendment to Exhibit 10.10 effective Nov. 29, 2011
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 10.17
10.12*+
Second Amendment to Exhibit 10.10 dated May 21, 2013
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013 10.22
10.13*+
Third Amendment to Exhibit 10.10 dated Sept. 30, 2016
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2016 10.01
10.14*+
Fourth Amendment to Exhibit 10.10 dated Oct. 23, 2017
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2017 10.1
10.15*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 10.34
10.16*+
Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units and/or Performance Share Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan for awards between 2020-2023
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 10.32
10.17*+
Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units and/or Performance Share Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan for awards in 2024
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 10.16
10.18*+
Form of Award Agreement for Retention-Based Restricted Stock Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 8-K dated Dec. 10, 2021
10.01
10.19*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Annual Incentive Plan, effective Feb. 21, 2024
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 10.18
10.20*+
Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, effective as of May 24, 2023
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 8-K dated Jan. 20, 2025 10.01
10.21*+
Stock Equivalent Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Xcel Energy Inc. as amended and restated effective Feb. 23, 2011
Xcel Energy Inc. Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 5, 2011 Appendix A
10.22*+
Stock Program for Non-Employee Directors of Xcel Energy Inc. as Amended and Restated on Dec. 12, 2017 under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 10.36
10.23*+
Xcel Energy Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form S-8 dated May 22, 2024 4.03
10.24*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Stock Program for Non-Employee Directors (Effective May 22, 2024) under the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 8-K dated May 22, 2024 10.01
10.25+
Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan for awards since 2025
10.26+
Form of Award Agreement for Performance Stock Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan for awards since 2025
10.27*+
Form of Award Agreement for Retention-Based Restricted Stock Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 8-K dated May 22, 2024 10.03
10.28*+
Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock under the Xcel Energy Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 8-K dated May 22, 2024 10.04
10.29*
Form of Services Agreement between Xcel Energy Services Inc. and utility companies
Xcel Energy Inc. Form U5B dated Nov. 16, 2000 H-1
10.30+
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement, effective Feb. 25, 2025, between Xcel Energy Services Inc., as Operator, and the Chief Executive Officer of Operator
10.31*
Restated Interchange Agreement dated Jan. 16, 2001 between NSP-Wisconsin and NSP-Minnesota
NSP-Wisconsin Form S-4 dated Jan. 21, 2004 10.01
10.32*
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of Sept. 19, 2022, among NSP-Wisconsin, as Borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and Barclays Bank PLC, as Syndication Agents, and Citibank, N.A., MUFG Bank, Ltd. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agents
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 8-K dated Sept. 19, 2022 99.05
23.01
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.01
Principal Executive Officer’s certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.02
Principal Financial Officer’s certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.01
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH Inline XBRL Schema
101.CAL Inline XBRL Calculation
101.DEF Inline XBRL Definition
101.LAB Inline XBRL Label
101.PRE Inline XBRL Presentation
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
SCHEDULE II
NSP-Wisconsin and Subsidiaries Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Years Ended Dec. 31
Allowance for bad debts
(Millions of Dollars) 2024 2023 2022
Balance at Jan. 1 $ 9 $ 9 $ 8
Additions charged to costs and expenses 3 4 4
Additions charged to other accounts (a)
1 1 1
Deductions from reserves (b)
(6) (5) (4)
Balance at Dec. 31 $ 7 $ 9 $ 9
(a)Recovery of amounts previously written-off.
(b)Deductions related primarily to bad debt write-offs.