MGE Energy - 10-K annual report 2013

United States

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended:

December 31, 2013

[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from _______________ to _______________

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports) and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate Web sites, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such files): Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity held by nonaffiliates of each registrant as of June 30, 2013, was as follows:

The number of shares outstanding of each registrant's common stock as of February 1, 2014, were as follows:

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of MGE Energy, Inc.'s definitive proxy statement to be filed on or before March 28, 2014, relating to its annual meeting of shareholders, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Madison Gas and Electric Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (I)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore omitting (i.) the information otherwise required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K relating to a list of subsidiaries of the registrant as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(b), (ii.) the information otherwise required by Item 6 relating to Selected Financial Data as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(a), (iii.) the information otherwise required by Item 10 relating to Directors and Executive Officers as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(c), (iv.) the information otherwise required by Item 11 relating to executive compensation as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(c), (v.) the information otherwise required by Item 12 relating to Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(c), and (vi.) the information otherwise required by Item 13 relating to Certain Relationships and Related Transactions as permitted by General Instruction (I)(2)(c).

Table of Contents

Filing Format

4

Forward-Looking Statements

4

Stock Split

4

Where to Find More Information

4

Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms Used in the Text and Notes of this Report

5

PART I.

7

Item 1. Business.

7

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

13

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

17

Item 2. Properties.

18

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

19

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

19

PART II.

20

Item 5. Market for Registrants' Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.  20

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

23

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

24

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

44

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

46

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

101

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

101

Item 9B. Other Information.

101

PART III.

102

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.

102

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

102

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

102

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

102

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

103

PART IV.

104

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

104

Signatures - MGE Energy, Inc.

113

Signatures - Madison Gas and Electric Company

114

Filing Format

This combined Form 10-K is being filed separately by MGE Energy, Inc. (MGE Energy) and Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE). MGE is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGE Energy and represents a majority of its assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and operations. Thus, all information contained in this report relates to, and is filed by, MGE Energy. Information that is specifically identified in this report as relating solely to MGE Energy, such as its financial statements and information relating to its nonregulated business, does not relate to, and is not filed by, MGE. MGE makes no representation as to that information. The terms "we" and "our," as used in this report, refer to MGE Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report, and other documents filed by MGE Energy and MGE with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's current assumptions and estimates regarding future performance and economic conditions—especially as they relate to economic conditions, future load growth, revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, financial resources, regulatory matters, and the scope and expense associated with future environmental regulation. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "could," "should," "intend," "will," and other similar words generally identify forward-looking statements. Both MGE Energy and MGE caution investors that these forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied.

The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made by a registrant include (a) those factors discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Footnote 18. Commitments and Contingencies, and (b) other factors discussed herein and in other filings made by that registrant with the SEC.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this report. MGE Energy and MGE undertake no obligation to release publicly any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report.

Stock Split

On December 20, 2013, MGE Energy's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split of MGE Energy's outstanding shares of common stock, effective in the form of a stock dividend. Shareholders of record at the close of business on January 24, 2014, received one additional share of MGE Energy common stock for every two shares of common stock owned on that date. The additional shares were distributed on February 7, 2014. All share and per share data provided in this report give effect to this stock split.

Where to Find More Information

The public may read and copy any reports or other information that MGE Energy and MGE file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. These documents also are available to the public from commercial document retrieval services, the website maintained by the SEC at sec.gov, MGE Energy's website at mgeenergy.com, and MGE's website at mge.com. Copies may be obtained from our websites free of charge. Information contained on MGE Energy's and MGE's websites shall not be deemed incorporated into, or to be a part of, this report.

Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms Used in the Text and Notes of this Report

Abbreviations, acronyms, and definitions used in the text and notes of this report are defined below.

PART I.

Item 1. Business.

MGE Energy operates in the following business segments:

·

Regulated electric utility operations – generating, purchasing, and distributing electricity through MGE.

·

Regulated gas utility operations – purchasing and distributing natural gas through MGE.

·

Nonregulated energy operations – owning and leasing electric generating capacity that assists MGE through MGE Energy's wholly owned subsidiaries MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus.

·

Transmission investments – representing our investment in American Transmission Company LLC, a company engaged in the business of providing electric transmission services primarily in Wisconsin.

·

All other – investing in companies and property that relate to the regulated operations and financing the regulated operations, through its wholly owned subsidiaries MAGAEL, CWDC, NGV Fueling Services, North Mendota, and Corporate functions.

MGE's utility operations represent a majority of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and operations of MGE Energy. MGE Energy's nonregulated energy operations currently include an undivided interest in two coal-fired generating units located in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, which we refer to as the Elm Road Units, and an undivided interest in a cogeneration facility located on the Madison campus of the University of Wisconsin, which we refer to as the West Campus Cogeneration Facility or WCCF.

As a public utility, MGE is subject to regulation by the PSCW and the FERC. The PSCW has authority to regulate most aspects of MGE's business including rates, accounts, issuance of securities, and plant siting. The PSCW also has authority over certain aspects of MGE Energy as a holding company of a public utility. FERC has jurisdiction, under the Federal Power Act, over certain accounting practices and certain other aspects of MGE's business.

MGE Energy's subsidiaries are also subject to regulation under local, state, and federal laws regarding air and water quality and solid waste disposal. See "Environmental" below.

MGE Energy was organized as a Wisconsin corporation in 2001. MGE was organized as a Wisconsin corporation in 1896. Their principal offices are located at 133 South Blair Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53788, and their telephone number is (608) 252-7000.

Electric Utility Operations

MGE distributes electricity in a service area covering a 316 square-mile area of Dane County, Wisconsin. The service area includes the city of Madison, Wisconsin. It owns or leases ownership interests in electric generation facilities located in Wisconsin and Iowa.

At December 31, 2013, MGE supplied electric service to approximately 141,000 customers, with approximately 90% located in the cities of Fitchburg, Madison, Middleton, and Monona and 10% in adjacent areas. Of the total number of customers, approximately 86% were residential and 14% were commercial or industrial. Electric retail revenues for 2013, 2012, and 2011 were comprised of the following:

Electric operations accounted for approximately 69.0%, 73.7%, and 69.5% of MGE's total 2013, 2012, and 2011 regulated revenues, respectively.

See Item 2. Properties, for a description of MGE's electric utility plant.

MGE is registered with a regional entity, The Midwest Reliability Organization. The essential purposes of this entity are the development and implementation of regional and NERC reliability standards; and determining compliance with those standards, including enforcement mechanisms.

Transmission

American Transmission Company LLC (ATC) is owned by the utilities that contributed facilities or capital to it in accordance with Wisconsin law. ATC's purpose is to provide reliable, economic transmission service to all customers in a fair and equitable manner. ATC plans, constructs, operates, maintains, and expands transmission facilities that it owns to provide adequate and reliable transmission of power. ATC is regulated by FERC for all rate terms and conditions of service and is a transmission-owning member of the MISO.

Regional Transmission Organizations

MISO

MGE is a nontransmission owning member of the MISO. MISO, a FERC approved RTO, is responsible for monitoring the electric transmission system that delivers power from generating plants to wholesale power transmitters. MISO's role is to ensure equal access to the transmission system and to maintain or improve electric system reliability in the Midwest.

MISO maintains a bid-based energy market. MGE offers substantially all of its generation on the MISO market and purchases much of its load requirement from the MISO market in accordance with the MISO Tariff. MGE participates in the ancillary services market operated by MISO. That market is an extension of the existing energy market in which MISO assumes the responsibility of maintaining sufficient generation reserves. In the ancillary services market, MISO provides the reserves for MGE's load, and MGE may offer to sell reserves from its generating units.

MGE participates in the voluntary capacity auction, which provides an optional monthly forum for buyers and sellers of aggregate planning resource credits to interact. Load serving entities, such as MGE, may participate in the voluntary capacity auction potentially to obtain the necessary aggregate planning resource credits needed to meet their planning reserve margin requirement established by the PSCW. Generator owners may participate to sell any excess aggregate planning resource credits that are not needed by them.

PJM

MGE is a member of PJM. PJM, an RTO, is a neutral and independent party that coordinates and directs the operation of the transmission grid within its area of coverage, administers a competitive wholesale electricity market, and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion.

Fuel supply and generation

MGE satisfies its customers' electric demand with internal generation and purchased power. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, MGE's electric energy delivery requirements were satisfied by the following sources:

Sources used depend on market prices, generating unit availability, weather, and customer demand.

Coal

MGE and two other utilities jointly own Columbia, a coal-fired generating facility, which accounts for 31% (245 MW) of MGE's net summer rated capacity. Power from this facility is shared in proportion to each owner's ownership interest. MGE has a 22% ownership interest in Columbia. The other owners are WPL (a subsidiary of Alliant), which operates Columbia, and WPSC. The Columbia units burn low-sulfur coal obtained from the Powder River Basin coal fields located in Wyoming. The coal inventory supply for the Columbia units decreased from approximately 37 days on December 31, 2012, to approximately 28 days on December 31, 2013.

MGE Power Elm Road and two other owners own undivided interests in the coal-fired Elm Road Units in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, which accounts for 14% (106 MW) of MGE's net summer rated capacity. Power from this facility is shared in proportion to each owner's ownership interest. MGE Power Elm Road owns an 8.33% ownership interest in the Elm Road Units and its interest in the Elm Road Units is leased to MGE. The other owners are Wisconsin Energy Corporation, which operates the Units, and WPPI Energy, Inc. The Elm Road Units burn bituminous coal obtained from northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania, and Powder River Basin coal from Wyoming. MGE's share of the coal inventory supply for the Elm Road Units decreased from approximately 49 days on December 31, 2012, to approximately 40 days on December 31, 2013.

See discussion below under Nonregulated Operations regarding MGE's interest in the Elm Road Units.

Natural gas and oil

MGE owns gas fired combustion turbines. These turbines are primarily located in Madison and Marinette, Wisconsin and have a total of 154 MW of net summer rated capacity.

MGE also owns the Blount Generating Facility located in Madison, Wisconsin, which is fueled by gas and other alternative renewable sources. As planned, capacity was reduced at Blount from 190 MW to 100 MW as of December 31, 2011.

See discussion below under Nonregulated Operations regarding MGE's interest in the West Campus Cogeneration Facility.

Renewable generation sources

MGE owns 30 MW, consisting of 18 turbines, in a wind-powered electric generating facility in Worth County, Iowa. MGE also owns 11 MW, consisting of 17 turbines, in a wind-powered electric generating facility in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.

Purchased power

MGE enters into short and long-term purchase power commitments with third parties to meet a portion of its anticipated electric energy supply needs. The following table identifies purchase power commitments at December 31, 2013, with unaffiliated parties for the next five years.

Gas Utility Operations

MGE transports and distributes natural gas in a service area covering 1,649 square miles in seven south-central Wisconsin counties. The service area includes the city of Madison, Wisconsin and surrounding areas.

At December 31, 2013, MGE supplied natural gas service to approximately 147,000 customers in the cities of Elroy, Fitchburg, Lodi, Madison, Middleton, Monona, Prairie du Chien, Verona, and Viroqua; 24 villages; and all or parts of 45 townships. Of the total number of customers, approximately 89% were residential and 11% were commercial or industrial. Gas revenues for 2013, 2012, and 2011 were comprised of the following:

Gas operations accounted for approximately 31.0%, 26.3%, and 30.5% of MGE's total 2013, 2012, and 2011 regulated revenues, respectively.

MGE can curtail gas deliveries to its interruptible customers. Approximately 20% of retail gas deliveries in both 2013 and 2012 were to interruptible customers.

Gas supply

MGE has physical interconnections with ANR and NNG. MGE's primary service territory, which includes Madison and the surrounding area, receives deliveries at one NNG and four ANR gate stations. MGE also receives deliveries at NNG gate stations located in Elroy, Prairie du Chien, Viroqua, and Crawford County. Interconnections with two major pipelines provide competition in interstate pipeline service and a more reliable and economical gas supply mix, which includes gas from Canada and from the mid-continent and Gulf/offshore regions in the United States.

During the winter months, when customer demand is high, MGE is primarily concerned with meeting its obligation to firm customers. MGE meets customer demand by using firm supplies under contracts finalized before the heating season, supplies in storage (injected during the summer), and other firm supplies purchased during the winter period.

By contract, a total of 5,405,942 Dth of gas can be injected into ANR's storage fields in Michigan from April 1 through October 31. These gas supplies are then available for withdrawal during the subsequent heating season, November 1 through March 31. Using storage allows MGE to buy gas supplies during the summer season, when prices are normally lower, and withdraw these supplies during the winter season, when prices are typically higher. Storage also gives MGE more flexibility in meeting daily load fluctuations.

MGE's contracts for firm transportation service of gas include winter maximum daily quantities of:

·

162,150 Dth (including 96,078 Dth of storage withdrawals) on ANR.

·

60,108 Dth on NNG.

Nonregulated Energy Operations

MGE Energy, through its subsidiaries, has developed generation sources that assist MGE in meeting the electricity needs of its customers.

Elm Road

MGE Power Elm Road owns an 8.33% interest in the coal-fired Elm Road Units in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Unit 1 entered commercial operation in February 2010, and has the capacity to produce 615 MW of electricity. Unit 2 entered commercial operation in January 2011, and has the capacity to produce 615 MW of electricity. Wisconsin Energy Corporation owns approximately 83% of the Elm Road Units and is the operator for those units. Both units are used to provide electricity to MGE's customers.

MGE leases MGE Power Elm Road's ownership interest in the Elm Road Units pursuant to two separate facility leases. The financial terms of each facility lease include a capital structure of 55% equity and 45% long-term debt, return on equity of 12.7%, and a lease term of 30 years. At the end of the respective lease terms, MGE may, at its option, renew the facility lease for an additional term, purchase the leased ownership interest at fair market value or allow the lease to end. The Unit 1 and Unit 2 leases commenced with the commercial operation of each respective unit.

WCCF

MGE Power West Campus and the UW jointly own undivided interests in a natural gas-fired cogeneration facility on the UW campus. The facility has the capacity to produce 20,000 tons of chilled water, 500,000 pounds per hour of steam, and approximately 150 MW of electricity. The UW owns 45% of the facility, which represents its interest in the chilled-water and steam assets. These assets are used to meet the UW's growing need for air-conditioning and steam-heat capacity. MGE Power West Campus owns 55% of the facility, which represents its interest in the electric generating assets. These assets are used to provide electricity to MGE's customers. The UW's share of the plant and portion of the earnings from the WCCF are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements of MGE Energy or MGE. MGE Power West Campus' share of the cost of this project is reflected in property, plant, and equipment on MGE Energy's and MGE's consolidated balance sheets.

MGE leases the electric generating assets owned by MGE Power West Campus and is responsible for operating the entire facility. The financial terms of the facility lease include a capital structure of 53% equity and 47% long-term debt, return on equity of 12.1%, and a lease term of 30 years. At the end of the lease term in 2035, MGE may, at its option, renew the facility lease for an additional term, purchase the generating facility at fair market value or allow the lease contract to end.

Transmission Investments

American Transmission Company owns and operates electric transmission facilities primarily in Wisconsin. MGE received an interest in ATC when it, like other Wisconsin electric utilities, contributed its electric transmission facilities to ATC as required by Wisconsin law. That interest is presently held by MGE Transco, which is jointly owned by MGE Energy and MGE. At December 31, 2013, MGE Transco held a 3.6% ownership interest in ATC.

In April 2011, ATC and Duke Energy announced the creation of a joint venture, Duke-American Transmission Company, that seeks to build, own, and operate new electric transmission infrastructure in North America to address increasing demand for affordable, reliable transmission capacity.

Environmental

MGE Energy and MGE are subject to frequently changing local, state, and federal regulations concerning air quality, water quality, land use, threatened and endangered species, hazardous materials handling, and solid waste disposal. These regulations affect the manner in which they conduct their operations, the costs of those operations, as well as capital and operating expenditures. Regulatory initiatives, proposed rules, and court challenges to adopted rules, have the potential to have a material effect on our capital expenditures and operating costs. In addition to the regulations discussed below, MGE continues to track state and federal initiatives such as potential changes to regulations governing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), potential changes to regulations governing coal-combustion byproducts, and potential climate change legislation.  

Energy Efficiency and Renewables

The Wisconsin Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act requires that, by 2015, 10% of the state's electricity be generated from renewable resources. MGE is in compliance with the 2015 requirement. The costs to comply with the Act and its accompanying regulations are being recovered.

Air Quality

Air quality regulations promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in accordance with the Federal Clean Air Act and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 impose restrictions on emission of particulates, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), hazardous air pollutants and other pollutants, and require permits for operation of emission sources. These permits must be renewed periodically. Various newly enacted and/or proposed federal and state initiatives are expected to result in additional operating and capital expenditure costs for fossil-fueled electric generating units.

Vacation of EPA's Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and Reinstatement of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR)

In 2005, the EPA promulgated the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to reduce ozone and fine particulate matter emissions by reducing nitrogen oxide (NO_x) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions. NO_x and SO₂ interact in the atmosphere to form ambient ozone and fine particulate matter pollution from NO_x and/or SO₂. The CAIR generally requires NO_x and SO₂ emission reductions from fossil fuel-fired EGUs (25 MW or greater) in the eastern half of the United States in two phases and includes a regional cap-and-trade system. Phase I (currently in place) requires annual regional emission reductions from 2003 levels of 55% for NO_x and 40% for SO₂. Phase II begins in 2015 and requires regional NO_x and SO₂ emissions reductions from 2003 levels to 65% and 70%, respectively. MGE owns or has partial ownership in several generation units currently subject to the CAIR: Blount, Columbia, Elm Road Units, and its combustion turbines located in West Marinette and Fitchburg.

In December 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit remanded the CAIR to the EPA with directions to revise or replace the rule. The Court's remand order directed that the CAIR remain in effect until the EPA promulgated a replacement rule. The Court's order did not include a deadline for the EPA to act.

In August 2011, the EPA responded to the remand of the CAIR by promulgating the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). In August 2012, a federal appellate court vacated CSAPR and instructed the EPA to continue administering the CAIR pending finalizing a valid alternative program to control interstate pollution. That appellate decision was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in December 2013, and a decision from that Court is pending. Thus, at this time, the CAIR remains effective.

MGE is currently in compliance with the CAIR Phase I requirements. In addition, MGE will be able to meet Phase II NO_x emissions reductions through using our NO_x allowances provided under the rule, and we will meet Phase II SO₂ emissions reductions through installation of pollution controls. New SO₂ controls at Columbia are already underway and are planned to be completed by mid-2014. MGE expects that any costs incurred to meet Phase II of the CAIR will be fully recoverable through rates. MGE will monitor the Supreme Court's response to the CSAPR appeals and any subsequent actions by the EPA to continue to evaluate potential impacts to our operations.

Global climate change

MGE is a producer of GHG emissions, primarily from the fossil fuel generating facilities it utilizes to meet customers' energy needs, as well as from its natural gas pipeline system and fleet vehicles. Climate change and the regulatory response to it could significantly affect our operations in a number of ways, including increased operating costs and capital expenditures, restrictions on energy supply options, permitting difficulties, and emission limits. MGE management would expect to seek and receive rate recovery of such compliance costs, if and when required. MGE will continue to monitor proposed climate change legislation and regulation.

MGE is already addressing GHG emissions through voluntary actions. In 2005, MGE announced its Energy 2015 Plan, which commits to ensuring a balanced, economic energy supply with reduced environmental emissions. The Plan emphasizes increased renewable energy, energy efficiency, and new cleaner generation – three strategies that reduce GHG emissions. Under MGE's Energy 2015 Plan and other actions, our CO₂ emissions are currently projected to decline from 2005 to 2015 even though total system energy is estimated to increase.

Climate Change Legislation

Federal Legislative Actions on Climate Change

Several bills and/or actions related to GHG regulation, including those to limit, prevent or delay the EPA's regulation of GHGs under the current Clean Air Act, have been proposed in both the House and the Senate. It is not anticipated that Congress will enact broad GHG reduction legislation in 2014.

State and Regional Legislative Actions on Climate Change

It is not expected that the Wisconsin Legislature will enact broad GHG regulation in 2014. MGE continues to monitor legislative developments.

Greenhouse Gas Regulation

President Obama's Executive Order Regarding Climate Change and his Directive to the EPA Regarding Power Sector Pollution Standards

In June 2013, President Obama introduced his "National Climate Action Plan." The plan consists of planned federal actions and directives to several federal agencies, including the EPA, on a range of activities and policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. See the GHG New Performance Standards discussion below for additional details.

GHG New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for New and Existing Electric Generating Units

In his June 2013 directive, President Obama instructed the EPA to re-propose greenhouse gas standards for new power plants, and to finalize those standards in a timely manner. The EPA published revised proposed standards for new power plants in September 2013, which would require, if finalized, that new coal-fired units and small natural gas units meet carbon dioxide emission levels significantly below current levels.

The June 2013 directive also instructed the EPA to propose standards, regulations or guidelines for modified, reconstructed and existing power plants under Sections 111(b) and 111(d) of the Clean Air Act no later than June 2014 and to finalize those standards by June 2015. The directive further instructs the EPA to require states to submit implementation plans for this rule by June 30, 2016.

It is reasonable to assume that costs of implementation of these directives, when final rules are adopted, could be significant depending on the approach taken. We will continue to monitor the actions taken in response to the President's directives in 2014.

Columbia

Columbia is a coal-fired generating station operated by WPL in which WPL, WPSC, and MGE have ownership interests. In December 2009, the EPA sent a Notice of Violation (NOV) to MGE as one of the co-owners of Columbia. The NOV alleged that WPL and the Columbia co-owners failed to comply with appropriate pre-construction review and permitting requirements and, as a result, violated the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program requirements, Title V Operating Permit requirements of the CAA, and the Wisconsin SIP. In April 2013, the EPA filed a lawsuit against the co-owners of Columbia asserting similar allegations. In September 2010 and April 2013, the Sierra Club filed civil lawsuits against WPL alleging violations of the CAA at Columbia and other Wisconsin facilities operated by WPL. In June 2013, the court approved and entered a consent decree entered by the EPA, Sierra Club, and the co-owners of Columbia to resolve these claims, while admitting no liability. One of the requirements of the consent decree requires installation of a SCR system at Columbia Unit 2 by December 31, 2018. Based on a preliminary estimate received by WPL, MGE's share of the projected cost for construction of the SCR system at Columbia is approximately $50-$60 million. See Footnote 18.d. of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding this matter.

Employees

As of December 31, 2013, MGE had 695 employees. MGE employs 211 employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with Local Union 2304 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and 94 employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with Local Union No. 39 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union. Both of these collective bargaining agreements expire on April 30, 2015. There are also 5 employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement with Local Union No. 2006, Unit 6 of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial, and Service Workers International Union. This collective bargaining agreement expires on October 31, 2015.

Financial Information About Segments

See Footnote 22 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for financial information relating to MGE Energy's and MGE's business segments.

Executive Officers of the Registrants

Note: Ages, years of service, and positions as of December 31, 2013.

(a) Executive officer of MGE Energy and MGE.

(b) Executive officer of MGE.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

MGE Energy and its subsidiaries, including MGE, operate in a market environment that involves significant risks, many of which are beyond their control. The following risk factors may adversely affect their results of operations, cash flows and market price for their publicly traded securities. While MGE Energy and MGE believe they have identified and discussed below the key risk factors affecting their 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 their performance or financial condition in the future.

Regulatory Risk

We are subject to extensive government regulation in our business, which affects our costs and responsiveness to changing events and circumstances.

Our business is subject to regulation at the State and Federal levels. We are subject to regulation as a holding company by the PSCW. MGE is regulated by the PSCW as to its rates, terms and conditions of service; various business practices and transactions; financing; and transactions between it and its affiliates, including MGE Energy. MGE is also subject to regulation by the FERC, which regulates certain aspects of its business. The regulations adopted by the State and Federal agencies affect the manner in which we do business, our ability to undertake specified actions since pre-approval or authorization may be required, the costs of operations, and the level of rates charged to recover such costs. Our ability to attract capital is also dependent in part, upon our ability to obtain a fair return from the PSCW.

We could be subject to higher costs and potential penalties resulting from mandatory reliability standards.

MGE must adhere to mandatory reliability standards for its electric distribution system established by NERC. These standards cover areas such as critical infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness, facility design, and transmission operations, among others. The critical infrastructure protection standards focus on physical and access security of cyber assets, as well as incident response and recovery planning. MGE could be subject to higher operating costs in order to maintain compliance with the mandatory reliability standards, and any noncompliance could result in sanctions including monetary penalties.

We face risk for the recovery of fuel and purchased power costs.

MGE burns natural gas in several of its peak electric generation facilities, and in many cases, the cost of purchased power is tied to the cost of natural gas. Under the electric fuel rules, MGE would defer electric fuel-related costs that fall outside a symmetrical cost tolerance band that is currently plus or minus 2% around the amount approved in its most recent rate order. Any over/under recovery of the actual costs is determined on an annual basis and will be adjusted in future billings to its electric retail customers. Under the electric fuel rules, MGE is required to defer the benefit of lower costs, if its actual fuel costs fall outside the lower end of the range, and would defer costs, less any excess revenues, if its actual fuel costs exceeded the upper end of the range. Excess revenues are defined as revenues in the year in question that provide MGE with a greater return on common equity than authorized by the PSCW in MGE's latest rate order. MGE assumes the risks and benefits of variances that are within the cost tolerance band.

We are subject to changing environmental laws and regulations that may affect our costs and business plans.

Our subsidiaries are subject to environmental laws and regulations that affect the manner in which they conduct business, including capital expenditures, operating costs and potential liabilities. Changes and developments in these laws and regulations may alter or limit our business plans, make them more costly, or expose us to liabilities for past or current operations.

Numerous environmental laws and regulations govern many aspects of our present and future operations, including air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges, solid waste, threatened and endangered species and hazardous waste. These evolving regulations can introduce uncertainty with respect to capital expenditures and operational planning, and can introduce costly delays if previous decisions need to be revisited as a result of judicial mandate or regulatory change. These regulations generally require us to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental permits and approvals, and can result in increased capital, operating, and other costs and operating restrictions, particularly with regard to enforcement efforts focused on obligations under existing regulations with respect to power plant emissions and compliance costs associated with regulatory requirements. These effects can be seen not only with respect to new construction but could also require the installation of additional control equipment or other compliance measures such as altered operating conditions at existing facilities.

In addition, we may be a responsible party for environmental clean-up at current or future sites identified as containing hazardous materials or to which waste was sent that is subsequently determined to be hazardous. It is difficult to predict the costs potentially associated with a site clean-up due to the potential joint and several liability for all potentially responsible parties, the nature of the clean-up required and the availability of recovery from other potentially responsible parties.

Additionally, depending on their form and phase-in provisions, GHG emission restrictions could have the potential for a significant financial impact on MGE, including the cost to purchase allowances or do fuel switching.

Operating Risk

We are affected by weather, which affects customer demand and can affect the operation of our facilities.

The demand for electricity and gas is affected by weather. Very warm and very cold temperatures, especially for prolonged periods, can dramatically increase the demand for electricity and gas for cooling and heating, respectively, as opposed to the softening effect of more moderate temperatures. Our electric revenues are sensitive to the summer cooling season and, to a lesser extent, the winter heating season. Similarly, very cold temperatures can dramatically increase the demand for gas for heating. A significant portion of our gas system demand is driven by heating. Extreme summer conditions or storms may stress electric transmission and distribution systems, resulting in increased maintenance costs and limiting the ability to meet peak customer demand.

We could be adversely affected by changes in the development, and utilization by our customers, of power generation and storage technology.

Developments in power generation and storage could affect our revenues and the timing of the recovery of our costs. Advancements in power generation technology, including commercial and residential solar generation installations and commercial micro turbine installations, are improving the cost-effectiveness of customer self-supply of electricity. Improvements in energy storage technology, including batteries and fuel cells, could also better position customers to meet their around-the-clock electricity requirements. Such developments could reduce customer purchases of electricity, but may not necessarily reduce our investment and operating requirements due to our obligation to serve customers, including those self-supply customers whose equipment has failed for any reason to provide the power they need. In addition, since a portion of our costs are recovered through charges based upon the volume of power delivered, reductions in electricity deliveries will affect the timing of our recovery of those costs and may require changes to our rate structures.

We are affected by economic activity within our service area.

Higher levels of development and business activity generally increase the numbers of customers and their use of electricity and gas. Likewise, periods of recessionary economic conditions generally adversely affect our results of operations.

Our ability to manage our purchased power costs is influenced by a number of uncontrollable factors.

We are exposed to additional purchased power costs to the extent that our power needs cannot be fully covered by the supplies available from our existing facilities and contractual arrangements. Those needs, and our costs, could be affected by:

·

Increased demand due to, for example, abnormal weather, customer growth, or customer obligations,

·

The inability to transmit our contracted power from its generation source to our customers due to transmission line constraints, outages, or equipment failures,

·

Reductions in the availability of power from our owned or contracted generation sources due to equipment failures, shortages of fuel or environmental limitations on operations, and

·

Failure to perform on the part of any party from which we purchase capacity or energy, whether due to equipment failures or other causes.

An unexpected change in demand or the availability of generation or transmission facilities can expose us to increased costs of sourcing electricity in the short-term market where pricing may be more volatile.

The equipment and facilities in our operational system are subject to risks which may adversely affect our financial performance.

Weather conditions, accidents, and catastrophic events, including terrorism and acts of sabotage or war, can result in damage or failures of equipment or facilities and disrupt or limit our ability to generate, transmit, transport, purchase, or distribute electricity and gas. Efforts to repair or replace equipment and facilities may take prolonged periods or may be unsuccessful, or we may be unable to make the necessary improvements to our operational system, causing service interruptions. The resulting interruption of services would result in lost revenues and additional costs. We are also

exposed to the risk of accidents or other incidents that could result in damage to or destruction of our facilities or damage to persons or property. Such issues could adversely affect revenues or increase costs to repair and maintain our systems.

Our electricity and gas operations, as well as our confidential information, are subject to the risks of cyber attacks.

Our electricity and gas operations rely on sophisticated information technology systems and networks. Cyber attacks could disrupt or limit our electricity and gas operations, leading to potential lost revenues and additional costs. In addition, we may be required to incur significant development costs in order to strengthen the protection of our information technology systems and networks from outside attacks.

Cyber attacks resulting in the theft, loss, or fraudulent use of customer, stockholder, employee, or proprietary data could result in litigation and/or monetary liability. In addition, our reputation could be adversely affected among customers, stockholders, regulators, and others as a result of a cyber attack.

Failure to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce could affect our operations.

Events such as an aging workforce and retirement of key employees without appropriate replacements may lead to operating challenges and increased costs. Some of the challenges include lack of resources, loss of knowledge, and length of time period associated with skill development. Failure to identify qualified replacement employees could result in decreased productivity and increased safety costs. If we are unable to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, our operations could be negatively affected.

We face construction risk in connection with the completion of the Columbia environmental project.

The large-scale environmental project at the Columbia generating facility, which is being managed by WPL as plant operator, is subject to various risks that could cause costs to increase or delays in completion. These risks include shortages of, the inability to obtain, the cost of, and the consistency of, labor, materials and equipment; the inability of the general contractor or subcontractors to perform under their contracts; the inability to agree to terms of contracts or disputes in contract terms; work stoppages; adverse weather conditions; the inability to obtain necessary permits in a timely manner; changes in applicable laws or regulations; adverse interpretation or enforcement of permit conditions; governmental actions; legal action; and unforeseen engineering or technology issues. If the construction project is over budget, we may not be able to recover those excess costs. Inability to recover excess costs, or inability to complete the project in a timely manner, could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Financial Risk

We are exposed to commodity price risk relating to our purchases of natural gas, electricity, coal and oil.

We face commodity price risk exposure with respect to our purchases of natural gas, electricity, coal and oil, SO₂ allowances and risk through our use of derivatives, such as futures, forwards and swaps, to manage that commodity price risk. We could experience increased costs as a result of volatility in the market values of those commodities. We could also experience losses on our derivative contracts as a result of that market value volatility or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the valuation of these derivative contracts involves our exercise of judgment and use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts.

We are exposed to interest rate risk.

We are exposed to interest rate risk on our variable rate financing. Borrowing levels under commercial paper arrangements vary from period to period depending upon capital investments and other factors. Such interest rate risk means that we are exposed to increased financing costs and associated cash payments as a result of changes in the short-term interest rates.

Interest rate movements and market performance affects our employee benefit plan costs.

Prevailing interest rates affect our assessment and determination of discount rates that are a key assumption in the determination of the costs and funding of our defined benefit pension plans and may impact the amount of expense and timing of contributions to those plans. The performance of the capital markets affects the values of the assets that are held in trust to satisfy the future obligations under our pension and postretirement benefit plans. We have significant obligations in these areas and hold significant assets in these trusts. A decline in the market value of those assets may

increase our current and longer-term funding requirements for these obligations. Changes in the value of trust fund assets may affect the level of required contributions to these trusts to meet benefit obligations. Reduced benefit plan assets could result in increased benefit costs in future years and may increase the amount and accelerate the timing of required future funding contributions.

We are exposed to credit risk primarily through our regulated energy business.

Credit risk is the loss that may result from counterparty nonperformance. We face credit risk primarily through MGE's regulated energy business. Failure of contractual counterparties to perform their obligations under purchase power agreements, commodity supply arrangements or other agreements may result in increased expenses for MGE as a result of being forced to cover the shortfall in the spot or short-term market, where prices may be more volatile.

As a holding company, we are dependent on upstream cash flows from our subsidiaries for the payment of dividends on our common stock.

As a holding company, we have no operations of our own, and our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is dependent on the earnings and cash flows of our operating subsidiaries and their ability to pay upstream dividends or to repay funds to us. Prior to funding us, our subsidiaries have financial obligations that must be satisfied, including among others, debt service and obligations to trade creditors, and are subject to contractual and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends.

Disruptions in the financial markets or changes to our credit ratings may affect our ability to finance at a reasonable cost and in accordance with our planned schedule.

The credit markets have experienced disruption and uncertainty in recent years. To the extent that such issues affect the ability or willingness of credit providers or investors to participate in the credit markets or particular types of investments, or affect their perception of the risk associated with particular types of investments, our cost of borrowing could be affected. We also rely on our strong credit ratings to access the credit markets. If our credit ratings are downgraded for any reason, borrowing costs could increase, potential investors could decrease, or we could be required to provide additional credit assurance, including cash collateral, to contract counterparties.

General economic conditions may affect our operating revenues and our counterparty risks.

Operational

MGE Energy's and MGE's operations are affected by local, national and worldwide economic conditions. The consequences of a prolonged period of reduced economic activity may include lower demand for energy, uncertainty regarding energy prices and the capital and commodity markets, and increased credit risk. A decline in energy consumption may adversely affect our revenues and future growth. Increased credit risk reflects the risk that our retail customers will not pay their bills in a timely manner or at all, which may lead to a reduction in liquidity and an eventual increase in bad debt expense.

Counterparty creditworthiness

Credit risk also includes the risk that trading counterparties that owe us money or product will breach their obligations. MGE's risk management policy is to limit transactions to a group of high quality counterparties. Should the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, we may be forced to enter into alternative arrangements. In that event, our financial results could be adversely affected and we could incur losses.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

MGE Energy and MGE

None.

Item 2. Properties.

Electric Generation

Net summer rated capacity in service at December 31, 2013, was as follows:

(1)

Net summer rated capacity is determined by annual testing and may vary from year to year due to, among other things, the operating and physical conditions of the units.

(2)

Baseload generation.

(3)

MGE's 22% share of two 512-MW units. The other owners are WPL (a subsidiary of Alliant), which operates Columbia, and WPSC.

(4)

Facility is jointly owned. MGE Power West Campus owns a controlling interest in the electric generation plant and the UW owns a controlling interest in the chilled-water and steam plants. MGE leases the electric generating assets owned by MGE Power West Campus and is responsible for operating the facility. Amounts shown represent MGE's share of the net summer rated capacity. Based on the terms of the joint plant agreement between MGE and the UW, the UW has the ability to reduce net capability of these units by approximately 17 MW in the summer. The net summer rated capacity shown reflects this decrease.

(5)

MGE's 8.33% share in each of two 615 MW coal-fired generating units. The other owners are Wisconsin Energy Corporation, which operates the units, and WPPI Energy, Inc. MGE leases the electric generating assets owned by MGE Power Elm Road. Amounts shown represent MGE's share of the net summer rated capacity of the Units.

(6)

Three facilities are owned by MGE and three facilities are leased.

(7)

These facilities are owned by MGE.

(8)

Nameplate capacity rating is 11 MW.

(9)

Nameplate capacity rating is 30 MW.

Electric and Gas Distribution Facilities

At December 31, 2013, MGE owned 890 miles of overhead electric distribution line and 1,157 miles of underground electric distribution cable, all of which are located in Wisconsin. These electric distribution facilities are connected by approximately 45 substations, installed with a capacity of 1,244,550 kVA. MGE's gas facilities include 2,536 miles of distribution mains, which are all owned by MGE.

A significant portion of MGE's electric and gas distribution facilities are located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property that others own. MGE believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or property in the form of permits, grants, easements, and licenses; however, it has not necessarily undertaken to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest.

Encumbrances

The principal plants and properties of MGE are subject to the lien of its Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of January 1, 1946, as amended and supplemented, under which MGE's first mortgage bonds are issued. As of December 31, 2013, there were $1.2 million of first mortgage bonds outstanding. See Footnote 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding MGE's first mortgage bonds.

MGE Power Elm Road has collaterally assigned its right to lease payments from MGE for the Elm Road Units in order to secure the repayment of $70.6 million of senior secured notes issued by MGE Power Elm Road. See Footnote 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding these senior notes.

MGE Power West Campus has collaterally assigned its right to lease payments from MGE for the WCCF in order to secure the repayment of $49.7 million of senior secured notes issued by MGE Power West Campus. See Footnote 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding these senior notes.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

MGE Energy and MGE

MGE Energy and its subsidiaries, including MGE, from time to time are involved in various legal proceedings that are handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.

See "Environmental" under Item 1, Business, and Footnote 18.d. of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of several environmental proceedings involving MGE. See Footnote 18.e. of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of other legal matters.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

MGE Energy and MGE

Not applicable.

PART II.

Item 5. Market for Registrants' Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market for Common Equity

MGE Energy

MGE Energy common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol MGEE. On February 1, 2014, there were approximately 36,568 shareholders of record. The following table shows high and low sale prices for the common stock on Nasdaq for each quarter over the past two years, adjusted for the three-for-two stock split declared December 20, 2013.

MGE

As of February 1, 2014, there were 17,347,894 outstanding shares of common stock, all of which were held by MGE Energy. There is no market for shares of common stock of MGE.

Dividends

MGE Energy

The following table sets forth MGE Energy's quarterly cash dividends per share declared during 2013 and 2012, adjusted for the three-for-two stock split declared December 20, 2013:

MGE

The following table sets forth MGE's quarterly cash dividends declared during 2013 and 2012:

See discussion below as well as "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financing Activities" under Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for a description of restrictions applicable to dividend payments by MGE.

Dividend Restrictions

Dividend payments by MGE to MGE Energy are subject to restrictions arising under a PSCW rate order and, to a lesser degree, MGE's first mortgage bonds. The PSCW order restricts any dividends that MGE may pay MGE Energy if its common equity ratio, calculated in the manner used in the rate proceeding, is less than 55%. MGE's thirteen month rolling average common equity ratio at December 31, 2013, is 57.6%, as determined under the calculation used in the rate proceeding. MGE paid cash dividends of $25.0 million to MGE Energy in 2013. The rate proceeding calculation

includes as indebtedness imputed amounts for MGE's outstanding purchase power capacity payments and other PSCW adjustments, but does not include the indebtedness associated with MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus, which are consolidated into MGE's financial statements but are not direct obligations of MGE.

MGE has covenanted with the holders of its first mortgage bonds not to declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution on or purchase any shares of its common stock unless, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all such dividends and distributions and all amounts applied to such purchases, after December 31, 1945, shall not exceed the earned surplus (retained earnings) accumulated subsequent to December 31, 1945. As of December 31, 2013, approximately $305.6 million was available for the payment of dividends under this covenant.

Stock Split

On December 20, 2013, MGE Energy's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split of MGE Energy's outstanding shares of common stock, effective in the form of a stock dividend. Shareholders of record at the close of business on January 24, 2014, received one additional share of MGE Energy common stock for every two shares of common stock owned on that date. The additional shares were distributed on February 7, 2014. Shareholders received cash in lieu of any fractional shares of common stock they otherwise would have received in connection with the dividend. All share and per share data provided in this report give effect to this stock split.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

MGE Energy

*

Adjusted for the three-for-two stock split declared December 20, 2013.

**

Under the Stock Plan, common stock shares deliverable to plan participants may be either newly issued shares or shares purchased on the open market, as determined from time to time by MGE Energy. MGE Energy uses open market purchases to provide shares to meet obligations to participants in the Stock Plan. The shares are purchased on the open market through a securities broker-dealer and then are reissued under the Stock Plan as needed to meet share delivery requirements. The volume and timing of share repurchases in the open market depends upon the level of dividend reinvestment and optional share purchases being made from time to time by plan participants. As a result, there is no specified maximum number of shares to be repurchased and no specified termination date for the repurchases. All shares issued through the Stock Plan, whether newly issued or reissued following open market purchases, are issued and sold by MGE Energy pursuant to a registration statement that was filed with the SEC and is currently effective.

MGE

None.

Stock Performance Graph

The performance graph below illustrates a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns based on an initial investment of $1,000 in MGE Energy common stock, as compared with the Russell 2000 and the EEI Index for the period 2009 through 2013. The EEI Index reflects the consolidated performance of Edison Electric Institute investor-owned electric utilities.

Value of Investment at December 31,

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

MGE Energy

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

*

Includes current maturities

**

Average shares outstanding and per share amounts for all periods presented reflect the three-for-two stock split declared on December 20, 2013, effective in the form of a stock dividend distributed on February 7, 2014.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

General

MGE Energy is an investor-owned public utility holding company operating through subsidiaries in five business segments:

·

Regulated electric utility operations, conducted through MGE,

·

Regulated gas utility operations, conducted through MGE,

·

Nonregulated energy operations, conducted through MGE Power and its subsidiaries

·

Transmission investments, representing our equity investment in ATC, and

·

All other, which includes corporate operations and services.

Our principal subsidiary is MGE, which generates and distributes electric energy, distributes natural gas, and represents a majority portion of our assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. MGE generates and distributes electricity to approximately 141,000 customers in Dane County, Wisconsin, including the city of Madison, and purchases and distributes natural gas to approximately 147,000 customers in the Wisconsin counties of Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Iowa, Juneau, Monroe, and Vernon.

Our nonregulated energy operations own interests in electric generating capacity that is leased to MGE. The ownership/leasing structure was adopted under applicable state regulatory guidelines for MGE's participation in these generation facilities, consisting principally of a stable return on the equity investment in the new generation facilities over the term of the related leases. The nonregulated energy operations include an ownership interest in two coal-fired generating units in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and a partial ownership of a cogeneration project on the UW-Madison campus. A third party operates the units in Oak Creek, and MGE operates the cogeneration project. Due to the nature of MGE's participation in these facilities, the results of our nonregulated operations are also consolidated into MGE's consolidated financial position and results of operations under applicable accounting standards.

Executive Overview

Our primary focus today and for the foreseeable future is our core utility customers at MGE as well as creating long-term value for our shareholders. MGE continues to face the challenge of providing its customers with reliable power at competitive prices. MGE meets this challenge by investing in more efficient generation projects, including renewable energy sources. In the future, MGE will continue to focus on growing earnings while controlling operating and fuel costs. MGE will continue to maintain safe and efficient operations in addition to providing customer value. We believe it is critical to maintain a strong credit standing consistent with financial strength in MGE as well as the parent company in order to accomplish these goals.

We earn our revenue and generate cash from operations by providing electric and natural gas utility services, including electric power generation and electric power and gas distribution. The earnings and cash flows from the utility business are sensitive to various external factors, including:

·

Weather, and its impact on customer sales of electricity and gas,

·

Economic conditions, including current business activity and employment and their impact on customer demand,

·

Regulation and regulatory issues, and their impact on the timing and recovery of costs,

·

Energy commodity prices,

·

Equity price risk pertaining to pension related assets,

·

Credit market conditions, including interest rates and our debt credit rating,

·

Environmental laws and regulations, including adopted and pending environmental rule changes,

·

Construction risk in connection with the Columbia environmental project,

and other factors listed in Item 1A. Risk Factors.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, MGE Energy's earnings were $74.9 million or $2.16 per share compared to $64.4 million or $1.86 per share for the same period in the prior year. MGE's earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013, were $49.0 million compared to $40.8 million for the same period in the prior year.

MGE Energy's income was derived from our business segments as follows:

Our net income during 2013 compared to 2012 primarily reflects the effects of the following factors:

·

Retail electric sales decreased 0.8% driven by a return to more normal weather in 2013 compared to unusually warm weather in 2012. The average temperature in July 2013 was 71.9 degrees compared to 79.7 degrees in July 2012. The decrease in sales was partially offset by $2.7 million (after tax) recognized in AFUDC equity related to the Columbia environmental project for the year ended December 31, 2013.

·

Gas net income increased due to a 25.7% increase in gas sales reflecting higher customer demand due to a colder winter. Heating degree days (a measure for determining the impact of weather during the heating season) increased by 27.9% compared to the prior period. In addition, operating and maintenance expenditures decreased over the prior period.

·

Higher nonregulated revenues primarily attributable to approved recovery in December 2012 of force majeure costs associated with the construction of the Elm Road Units. The recovery of the force majeure costs began in 2013. A portion of the recovery pertaining to periods prior to the PSCW order will only affect 2013.

Our net income during 2012 compared to 2011 primarily reflects the effects of the following factors:

·

A 4.7% increase in retail electric revenues, driven by increased residential customer demand primarily as a result of warmer-than-normal weather. Cooling degree days (a measure for determining the impact of weather during the cooling season) increased by 31% compared to the prior period.

·

A 5.5% decrease in gas sales reflecting lower customer demand due to a milder winter. Heating degree days decreased by 15% compared to the prior period.

·

MGE has recognized $1.4 million (after tax) in AFUDC equity related to the Columbia environmental project for the year ended December 31, 2012.

During 2013, the following events occurred:

Stock Split: On December 20, 2013, MGE Energy's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split of MGE Energy's common stock in the form of a stock dividend. The additional shares were distributed February 7, 2014 to all shareholders of record as of January 24, 2014. All share and per share data provided in this report give effect to this stock split.

Columbia Environmental Project: In early 2011, the PSCW authorized the construction of air emission reduction systems and associated equipment on Columbia Units 1 and 2. MGE's estimated share of the capital expenditures required to complete this project is approximately $135 million. As of December 31, 2013, MGE has accumulated $120.9 million (excluding carrying costs) related to its share of the project, which is reflected in the Construction Work in Progress balance on MGE Energy's and MGE's consolidated balance sheets. Of this amount, MGE has accumulated $60.9 million in 2013. MGE has recognized $2.7 million (after tax) in AFUDC equity related to this project for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Credit Facilities: In late June 2013, we amended the existing credit facilities at MGE Energy and MGE to increase the aggregate commitments available thereunder to $50 million and $100 million, respectively, to extend the maturity date of each facility to July 31, 2017, and to lower the adders used in the determination of the interest rates applicable to credit extensions under those facilities.

Long-term Debt: In September 2013, MGE issued $30 million of its 3.09% senior notes and $15 million of its 3.29% senior notes. The notes will mature on September 15, 2023 and September 15, 2026, respectively. The proceeds of the notes were used and are expected to continue to be used to help finance the Columbia environmental project. In July 2013, MGE refinanced $40 million of long-term debt.

During 2014, several items may affect us, including:

2014 Rate Filing: In July 2013, the PSCW authorized MGE to freeze electric and natural gas rates at 2013 levels for 2014. The order includes authorizing 100% AFUDC on the Columbia scrubber construction project and deferral of increased costs related to ATC and MISO Schedule 26 fees. As part of the rate freeze plan authorized by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2014, approximately $6.2 million associated with a 2012 fuel rule surplus credit will not be required to be refunded to customers and will be amortized in 2014. The fuel credit will accrue interest at MGE's weighted cost of capital. The authorized return on equity will remain unchanged at 10.3%.

Environmental Initiatives: There are proposed legislation, rules, and initiatives involving matters related to air emissions, water effluent, hazardous materials, and greenhouse gases, all of which affect generation plant capital expenditures and operating costs as well as future operational planning. Such legislation and rulemaking could significantly affect the costs of owning and operating fossil-fueled generating plants, such as Columbia and Elm Road, from which we derive approximately 45% of our electric generating capacity. We would expect to seek and receive recovery of any such costs in rates; however, it is difficult to estimate the amount of such costs due to the uncertainty as to the timing and form of the legislation and rules, and the scope and time of the recovery of costs in rates. In addition, the Columbia owners, including MGE, resolved claims surrounding the alleged failure, among other things, to obtain necessary air permits and implement necessary emission controls associated with past activities at Columbia. See Columbia discussion in Footnote 18.d. in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Columbia Environmental Project: During 2014, our share of the capital expenditures associated with the Columbia environmental project will be approximately $14 million.

Commodity Prices: Natural gas and purchased power prices have increased in the first part of 2014 as a result of the unusually cold weather. The commodity price changes may result in increased costs for the Company. The increased commodity prices are mitigated through certain regulatory mechanisms in the natural gas business (PGA) and electric business (fuel rules). See Item 7A. Commodity Price Risk for further information.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs: Costs for pension and other postretirement benefits are affected by actual investment returns on the assets held for those benefits and by the discount rate, which is sensitive to interest rates, used to calculate those benefits. Investment assets for MGE's pension and other postretirement benefits have experienced market declines through February 2014. Also, interest rates have declined since the end of the year that could cause discount rates used to value the pension and postretirement benefit obligations to decline. The change in the value of the plan assets and the change in the discount rate are not expected to have an impact on the income statement for 2014. However, these changes may increase benefit costs in future years. MGE expects any changes in the cost for employee benefit plans will be factored into future rate actions.

General Economic Conditions: Economic conditions both inside and outside our service area are expected to continue to affect the level of demand for our utility services and may affect the collection of our accounts receivable and the creditworthiness of counterparties with whom we do business. We have in place lines of credit aggregating $150 million for MGE Energy (including MGE) and $100 million for MGE to address our liquidity needs. As of December 31, 2013, there were no borrowings outstanding under our lines of credit.

The following discussion is based on the business segments as discussed in Footnote 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2013, Versus the Year Ended December 31, 2012

Electric Utility Operations - MGE Energy and MGE

Electric sales and revenues

The following table compares MGE's electric revenues and electric kWh sales by customer class for each of the periods indicated:

Electric operating revenues increased $11.6 million or 3.0% for the year ended December 31, 2013, due to the following:

·

Rates changes. Rate changes have resulted in $15.6 million of additional revenue in 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. The change is primarily a result of an electric retail rate increase which was authorized by the PSCW. Effective January 1, 2013, the retail rate increased 3.8% or $14.9 million for electric retail customers. The increase in retail electric rates was driven by costs for new environmental equipment at Columbia, final construction costs for the Elm Road Units, transmission reliability enhancements, and purchased power costs.

·

Volume. During the year ended December 31, 2013, there was a 0.8% decrease in total retail sales volumes compared to the same period in the prior year driven by a return to more normal weather in 2013 compared to unusually warm weather in 2012.

·

Adjustments to revenues. The adjustments to revenues amount includes the elimination of carrying costs for the Elm Road Units and the WCCF that were collected in electric rates, which are recognized as nonregulated energy operating revenues in our Nonregulated Energy Operations segment.

Electric fuel and purchased power

The expense for fuel for electric generation decreased $0.4 million or 0.9% during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same period in the prior year. Internal electric generation costs decreased $1.1 million as a result of a 2.5% decrease in the per-unit cost (largely due to lower Elm Road coal costs). Internal electric generated volume delivered to the system increased 1.6%, which resulted in $0.7 million of increased expense.

Excluding the fuel rules adjustments discussed below, purchased power expense increased $6.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase in expense reflects an $8.9 million or 13.6% increase in per-unit cost of purchased power, partially offset by a $2.4 million or 3.6% decrease in the volume of power purchased from third parties.

Based on PSCW fuel rules, MGE is required to defer electric fuel-related costs that fall outside a 2% cost tolerance band around the amount used in the most recent rate proceeding. Any fuel rules adjustments are reflected in purchased power expense. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, MGE's actual fuel costs fell below the lower end of this tolerance band, which resulted in MGE deferring $6.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively, in fuel-related cost savings to be returned to customers and MGE recording a corresponding increase in purchased power costs. Any over/under recovery of the deferred costs is determined on an annual basis and adjusted in future billings to customers. After combining the fuel rules adjustments with the actual savings discussed above, purchased power expense increased $7.0 million ($6.5 million increase discussed above plus $0.5 million fuel rules difference) during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the prior year.

Electric operating and maintenance expenses

Electric operating and maintenance expenses increased $1.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. The following changes contributed to the net change:

For the year ended December 31, 2013, increased transmission costs are primarily due to an increase in transmission reliability enhancements, increased production costs are primarily due to increased costs at Columbia, and increased distribution costs are primarily due to increased conversion and overhead line maintenance expenses. The increase in costs was partially offset by decreased administrative and general costs which are primarily due to decreased pension costs.

Gas Utility Operations - MGE Energy and MGE

Gas deliveries and revenues

The following table compares MGE's gas revenues and gas therms delivered by customer class during each of the periods indicated:

Gas revenues increased $41.7 million or 29.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013. These changes are related to the following factors:

·

Volume. For the year ended December 31, 2013, retail gas deliveries increased 27.1% compared to the same period in 2012, as a result of colder weather during the winter months compared to milder weather in the prior year.

·

Rate changes. The average retail rate per therm for the year ended December 31, 2013, increased 2.3% compared to the same period in 2012, reflecting higher natural gas commodity costs.

Cost of gas sold

For the year ended December 31, 2013, cost of gas sold increased by $29.2 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The volume of purchased gas increased 27.4%, which resulted in $21.4 million of increased expense. In addition, the cost per therm of natural gas increased 7.8%, which resulted in $7.8 million of increased expense.

Gas operating and maintenance expenses

Gas operating and maintenance expenses decreased $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. The following changes contributed to the net change.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, decreased administrative and general costs are primarily due to decreased pension costs, and decreased customer service costs are primarily due to lower energy conservation spending.

Other Income (Deductions), Net - MGE Energy and MGE

For the year ended December 31, 2013, other income, net for the electric and gas segments increased by $1.7 million, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily related to AFUDC equity recognized on the Columbia environmental project.

Nonregulated Energy Operations - MGE Energy and MGE

For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, net income at the nonregulated energy operations segment was $20.7 million and $18.1 million, respectively. The nonregulated energy operations are conducted through MGE Energy's subsidiaries: MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus which have been formed to own and lease electric generating capacity to assist MGE.

Results for the years ended December 31, 2013, reflect the recovery of force majeure costs associated with the construction of the Elm Road Units. In December 2012, as part of WEPCO's (the operator and primary owner of the Elm Road Units) 2013 Wisconsin rate case, the PSCW determined that 100% of the construction costs for the Elm Road Units were prudently incurred, and approved the recovery in rates of more than 99.5% of these costs. The recovery of the force majeure costs began in 2013. A portion of the recovery pertaining to periods prior to the PSCW order will only affect 2013.

Transmission Investment Operations - MGE Energy and MGE

Transmission investment other income

For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, other income at the transmission investment segment was $9.4 million and $9.1 million, respectively. The transmission investment segment holds our interest in ATC, and its income reflects our equity in the earnings of ATC. See Footnote 4.b. of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information concerning ATC and summarized financial information regarding ATC.

Consolidated Income Taxes - MGE Energy and MGE

Both MGE Energy's and MGE's effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, was 37.5% and 37.7%, respectively.

For 2011 tax return purposes, MGE Energy and MGE changed their income tax method of accounting for electric transmission and distribution repairs and accounting for depreciation. The 2012 financial statement impact pertaining to finalization of the electric transmission and distribution repairs is an increase to deferred tax expense and a corresponding decrease in the current tax provision in the amount of $4.8 million. The 2012 financial statement impact pertaining to finalization of the depreciation adjustment is an increase to deferred tax expense and a corresponding decrease in the current tax provision in the amount of $38.6 million.

Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax - MGE

The noncontrolling interest, net of tax, reflects the accounting required for MGE Energy's interest in MGE Power Elm Road (the Elm Road Units) and MGE Power West Campus (WCCF). MGE Energy owns 100% of MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus; however, due to the contractual agreements for these projects with MGE, the entities are considered VIEs and their results are consolidated with those of MGE, the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. Also included in noncontrolling interest, net of tax, is MGE Energy's interest in MGE Transco. The following table shows MGE Energy's noncontrolling interest, net of tax, reflected on MGE's consolidated statement of income:

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2012, Versus the Year Ended December 31, 2011

Electric Utility Operations - MGE Energy and MGE

Electric sales and revenues

The following table compares MGE's electric revenues and electric kWh sales by customer class for each of the periods indicated:

Electric operating revenues increased $16.5 million or 4.4% for the year ended December 31, 2012, due to the following:

·

Rates changes. Rate changes have resulted in $19.0 million of additional revenue in 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year. The change is primarily a result of an electric retail rate increase which was authorized by the PSCW. Effective January 1, 2012, the retail rate increased 4.3% or $15.7 million for electric retail customers. The increase in electric rates was driven by MGE's electric fuel and purchased power costs, increased transmission costs, an update to the Elm Road Units' costs, and an increase for energy efficiency programs. Other factors also contributed to the revenue increase over the prior year, including customer mix (sales to various customer classes), demand charges, and customer fixed charges.

·

Volume. During the year ended December 31, 2012, there was a 0.3% decrease in total retail sales volumes compared to the same period in the prior year, reflecting decreased industrial customer demand, offset in part by an increase in residential demand.

·

Adjustments to revenues. The adjustments to revenues amount includes the elimination of carrying costs for Elm Road Units and WCCF that were collected in electric rates, which are recognized as nonregulated energy operating revenues in our Nonregulated Energy Operations segment.

·

Sales to the market. Sales to the market represent wholesale sales made to third parties who are not ultimate users of the electricity. These sales may include spot market transactions on the markets operated by MISO and PJM. These sales may also include bilateral sales to other utilities or power marketers.

Electric fuel and purchased power

The expense for fuel for electric generation decreased $4.3 million or 8.5% during the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the same period in the prior year. Internal electric generation costs decreased $3.2 million as a result of a 6.3% decrease in the per-unit cost (largely due to lower natural gas prices), and lower generation volumes of 1.1% or $1.1 million.

Excluding the fuel rules adjustments discussed below, purchased power expense increased $3.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase in expense reflects a $3.0 million or 4.7% increase in per-unit cost of purchased power and a $0.6 million or 0.9% increase in the volume of power purchased from third parties.

The PSCW adopted new fuel rules effective January 1, 2011, that require MGE to defer electric fuel-related costs that fall outside a 2% cost tolerance band around the amount used in the most recent rate proceeding. Any fuel rules adjustments are reflected in purchased power expense. During the year ended December 31, 2012, MGE's actual fuel costs fell below the lower end of this tolerance band, which resulted in MGE deferring $6.2 million in fuel-related cost savings to be returned to customers and increased purchased power costs. Any over/under recovery of the deferred costs is determined on an annual basis and adjusted in future billings to customers. After combining the fuel rules adjustments with the actual savings discussed above, purchased power expense increased $9.8 million ($6.2 million fuel rules difference plus the $3.6 million purchased power expense increase discussed above) during the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the prior year.

Electric operating and maintenance expenses

Electric operating and maintenance expenses increased $4.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the same period in 2011. The following changes contributed to the net change:

For the year ended December 31, 2012, increased administrative and general costs are primarily due to increased pension costs, reflecting changes in the discount rate and assumptions regarding investment returns used in calculating such costs. Increased customer service costs are due to higher energy conservation spending. Increased transmission costs are due to higher transmission network costs. Production costs decreased primarily due to decreased costs at Columbia and Blount.

Electric depreciation expense

Electric depreciation expense decreased $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the same period in the prior year. This decrease is related to the retirement of Blount assets at the end of 2011 due to the switch from operating with coal to natural gas.

Gas Utility Operations - MGE Energy and MGE

Gas deliveries and revenues

The following table compares MGE's gas revenues and gas therms delivered by customer class during each of the periods indicated:

Gas revenues decreased $25.5 million or 15.5% for the year ended December 31, 2012. These changes are related to the following factors:

·

Rate changes. The average retail rate per therm for the year ended December 31, 2012, decreased 11.4% compared to the same period in 2011, reflecting lower natural gas commodity costs.

·

Volume. For the year ended December 31, 2012, retail gas deliveries decreased 4.8% compared to the same period in 2011, as a result of milder weather during the winter months.

Cost of gas sold

For the year ended December 31, 2012, cost of gas sold decreased by $21.3 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The cost per therm of natural gas decreased 17.2%, which resulted in $16.2 million of reduced expense. In addition, the volume of purchased gas decreased 5.1%, which resulted in $5.1 million of reduced expense.

Gas operating and maintenance expenses

Gas operating and maintenance expenses increased $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the same period in 2011. The following changes contributed to the net change.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, increased administrative and general costs were primarily due to increased pension costs, reflecting changes in the discount rate and assumptions regarding investment returns used in calculating such costs. Increased customer service costs are due to higher energy conservation spending.

Other Income (Deductions), Net - MGE Energy and MGE

For the year ended December 31, 2012, other income, net for the electric and gas segments increased by $1.4 million, compared to the same period in the prior year related to AFUDC equity recognized on the Columbia environmental project.

Nonregulated Energy Operations - MGE Energy and MGE

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, net income at the nonregulated energy operations segment was $18.1 million and $17.9 million, respectively. The nonregulated energy operations are conducted through MGE Energy's subsidiaries: MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus. These subsidiaries have been formed to own and lease electric generating capacity to assist MGE.

Transmission Investment Operations - MGE Energy and MGE

Transmission investment other income

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, other income at the transmission investment segment was $9.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively. The transmission investment segment holds our interest in ATC, and its income reflects our equity in the earnings of ATC. See Footnote 4.b. for additional information concerning ATC and summarized financial information regarding ATC.

Consolidated Other General Taxes - MGE Energy and MGE

MGE Energy's and MGE's other general taxes increased $1.0 million or 5.9% for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in 2011, partially due to increased Wisconsin license fee tax. The annual license fee tax expense is based on the prior year's adjusted operating revenues. Tax rates have not changed.

Consolidated Income Taxes - MGE Energy and MGE

MGE Energy's effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012, was 37.7% compared to 37.1% for the same period in 2011, and MGE's effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012, was 37.7% compared to 37.0% for the same period in 2011. The effective income tax rate differences for both MGE Energy and MGE are primarily due to a lower estimated domestic manufacturing deduction.

For 2011 tax return purposes, MGE Energy and MGE changed their income tax method of accounting for electric transmission and distribution repairs and accounting for depreciation. The 2012 financial statement impact pertaining to finalization of the electric transmission and distribution repairs is an increase to deferred tax expense and a corresponding decrease in the current tax provision in the amount of $4.8 million. The 2012 financial statement impact

pertaining to finalization of the depreciation adjustment is an increase to deferred tax expense and a corresponding decrease in the current tax provision in the amount of $38.6 million.

Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax - MGE

The noncontrolling interest, net of tax, reflects the accounting required for MGE Energy's interest in MGE Power Elm Road (the Elm Road Units) and MGE Power West Campus (WCCF). MGE Energy owns 100% of MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus; however, due to the contractual agreements for these projects with MGE, the entities are considered VIEs and their results are consolidated with those of MGE, the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. Also included in noncontrolling interest, net of tax, is MGE Energy's interest in MGE Transco. The following table shows MGE Energy's noncontrolling interest, net of tax, reflected on MGE's consolidated statement of income:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

The following summarizes cash flows for MGE Energy and MGE during the years ended 2013, 2012, and 2011:

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

MGE Energy

MGE Energy's consolidated net cash provided by operating activities is derived mainly from the electric and gas operations of its principal subsidiary, MGE.

2013 vs. 2012

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, was $140.3 million, a decrease of $5.7 million when compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily related to the debt make-whole premium paid in 2013.

MGE Energy's net income increased $10.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

Working capital accounts resulted in $5.0 million in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to increased other current liabilities and decreased gas inventories, partially offset by increased receivables and increased unbilled revenues. Working capital accounts resulted in $0.3 million in cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to increased accounts receivable and increased unbilled revenues, partially offset by a decreased receivable – margin account and decreased prepaid taxes.

An increase in pension contribution resulted in an additional $5.9 million in cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, when compared to the same period in the prior year. These contributions reflect amounts required by law and discretionary amounts. See Footnote 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of MGE Energy's pension and other postretirement benefits.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, MGE paid a make-whole premium equal to $6.8 million related to the redemption of $40 million of long-term debt.

2012 vs. 2011

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, was $146.0 million, an increase of $15.2 million when compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily related to lower income taxes and fuel related cost savings to be returned to customers.

MGE Energy's net income increased $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

The cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012, reflect an $11.1 million benefit of lower taxes payable, compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the additional benefit from the income tax method change in accounting for repairs and bonus depreciation.

Working capital accounts resulted in $0.3 million in cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to increased accounts receivable and increased unbilled revenues, partially offset by a decreased receivable – margin account and decreased prepaid taxes. Working capital accounts resulted in $7.0 million in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to decreased inventories (due to lower natural gas costs), decreased unbilled revenues and increased accounts payable, partially offset by an increased receivable – margin account.

An increase in pension contribution resulted in an additional $5.2 million in cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in the prior year. These contributions reflect amounts required by law and discretionary amounts. See Footnote 13 for further discussion of MGE Energy's pension and other postretirement benefits.

MGE Energy's other noncurrent items, net resulted in $7.0 million of operating cash inflows for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $3.9 million of operating cash outflows in the prior year. This increase in cash inflows is a result of fuel related cost savings to be returned to customers.

MGE

2013 vs. 2012

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, was $138.7 million, a decrease of $0.1 million when compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily related to the debt make-whole premium paid in 2013.

Net income increased $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

Working capital accounts resulted in $2.4 million in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to decreased gas inventories and increased other current liabilities, partially offset by increased receivables and increased unbilled revenues. Working capital accounts resulted in $7.9 million in cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to increased accounts receivable, increased unbilled revenues, and increased prepaid taxes, partially offset by decreased receivable – margin account and decreased accounts payable.

An increase in pension contribution resulted in an additional $5.9 million in cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, when compared to the same period in the prior year. These contributions reflect amounts required by law and discretionary amounts. See Footnote 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of MGE's pension and other postretirement benefits.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, MGE paid a make-whole premium equal to $6.8 million related to the redemption of $40 million of long-term debt.

2012 vs. 2011

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, was $138.8 million, an increase of $9.1 million when compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily related to lower income taxes and fuel related cost savings to be returned to customers.

Net income increased $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

The cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012, reflect an $11.3 million benefit of lower taxes payable, compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the additional benefit from the income tax method change in accounting for repairs and bonus depreciation.

Working capital accounts resulted in $7.9 million in cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to increased accounts receivable, increased unbilled revenues, and increased prepaid taxes, partially offset by decreased receivable – margin account and decreased accounts payable. Working capital accounts resulted in $6.0 million in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to decreased inventories (due to lower natural gas costs), decreased unbilled revenues, and increased accounts payable, partially offset by decreased accrued taxes and an increased receivable – margin account.

An increase in pension contribution resulted in an additional $5.2 million in cash used for operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in the prior year. These contributions reflect amounts required by law and discretionary amounts. See Footnote 13 for further discussion of MGE's pension and other postretirement benefits.

MGE's other noncurrent items, net resulted in $6.7 million of operating cash inflows for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $3.9 million of operating cash outflows in the prior year. This increase in cash inflows is a result of fuel related cost savings to be returned to customers.

Capital Requirements and Investing Activities

MGE Energy

2013 vs. 2012

MGE Energy's cash used for investing activities increased $20.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2013, were $119.0 million. This amount represents a $20.6 million increase from the expenditures made in the same period in the prior year. This increase is due to increased expenditures on the Columbia environmental project.

2012 vs. 2011

MGE Energy's cash used for investing activities increased $35.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2012, were $98.4 million. This amount represents a $33.3 million increase from the expenditures made in the same period in the prior year. This increase is due to increased expenditures on the Columbia environmental project of $43.0 million offset by a decrease in electric utility capital expenditures in 2012.

Cash used for investment activities increased $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in the prior year as a result of increased capital contributions to ATC and other investments.

Cash used for investing activities was decreased by land purchased for investing purposes of $2.2 million in 2011.

MGE

2013 vs. 2012

MGE's cash used for investing activities increased $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2013, were $119.0 million. This amount represents a $20.6 million increase from the expenditures made in the same period in the prior year. This increase is due to increased expenditures on the Columbia environmental project.

2012 vs. 2011

MGE's cash used for investing activities increased $35.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2012, were $98.4 million. This amount represents a $33.3 million increase from the expenditures made in the same period in the prior year. This increase is due to increased expenditures on the Columbia environmental project of $43.0 million offset by a decrease in electric utility capital expenditures in 2012.

Cash used for investment activities increased $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in the prior year as a result of increased capital contributions to ATC and other investments.

Capital expenditures

The following table shows MGE Energy's budgeted capital expenditures for 2014 and actual capital expenditures for both 2013 and 2012:

In early 2011, the PSCW authorized the construction of air emission reduction systems and associated equipment on Columbia Units 1 and 2. MGE's estimated share of the capital expenditures required to complete this project will be approximately $135 million. MGE's share of the capital expenditures associated with the Columbia environmental project will be approximately $14 million in 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2013, MGE had incurred $112.8 million (excluding carrying costs) in construction expenditures at Columbia related to the project and had accrued $8.1 million in incurred, but unpaid capital expenditures. MGE has recognized $2.7 million (after tax) in AFUDC equity related to this project for the year ended December 31, 2013.

MGE Energy used funds received as dividend payments from MGE Power West Campus and MGE Power Elm Road as well as internally generated cash to meet its 2013 capital requirements and cash obligations, including dividend payments.

Financing Activities

MGE Energy

2013 vs. 2012

Cash provided by MGE Energy's financing activities was $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $39.5 million of cash used for the year ended December 31, 2012.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, dividends paid were $37.1 million compared to $36.0 million in the prior year. This increase was a result of a higher dividend per share ($1.07 vs. $1.04).

During the year ended December 31, 2013, MGE issued $85.0 million of long-term debt, which was used to retire $40.0 million of long-term debt and to assist with the funding for the Columbia environmental project. During the year ended December 31, 2012, MGE issued and retired $28.0 million of long-term debt.

2012 vs. 2011

Cash used for MGE Energy's financing activities was $39.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $30.4 million of cash used for the year ended December 31, 2011.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, dividends paid were $36.0 million compared to $35.0 million in the prior year. This increase was a result of a higher dividend per share ($1.04 vs. $1.01).

During the year ended December 31, 2012, MGE issued and retired $28.0 million of long-term debt. During the year ended December 31, 2011, MGE Power Elm Road issued $30.0 million of long-term debt.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, net short-term debt repayments were $22.5 million reflecting the use of proceeds from the MGE Power Elm Road long-term debt issue.

MGE

2013 vs. 2012

During the year ended December 31, 2013, cash used for MGE's financing activities was $9.6 million compared to $45.2 million of cash used for MGE's financing activities in the prior year.

Dividends paid from MGE to MGE Energy were $25.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $20.4 million in the prior year.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, MGE issued $85.0 million of long-term debt, which was used to retire $40.0 million of long-term debt and to assist with the funding for the Columbia environmental project. During the year ended December 31, 2012, MGE issued and retired $28.0 million of long-term debt.

Distributions to parent from noncontrolling interest, which represent distributions from MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus, were $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $23.5 million in the prior year.

2012 vs. 2011

During the year ended December 31, 2012, cash used for MGE's financing activities was $45.2 million compared to $54.6 million of cash used for MGE's financing activities in the prior year.

Dividends paid from MGE to MGE Energy were $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $26.6 million in the prior year.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, MGE issued and retired $28.0 million of long-term debt. During the year ended December 31, 2011, MGE Power Elm Road issued $30.0 million of long-term debt.

Distributions to parent from noncontrolling interest decreased $29.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. As a result of long-term debt financing by MGE Power Elm Road, distributions to parent from noncontrolling interest were $43.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The proceeds from the financing were used to repay MGE Energy, which had been using its short-term credit facilities to help finance the Elm Road Units.

In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2011, net short-term debt repayments were $3.5 million.

Dividend Restrictions

Dividend payments by MGE to MGE Energy are subject to restrictions arising under a PSCW rate order and, to a lesser degree, MGE's first mortgage bonds. The PSCW order restricts any dividends that MGE may pay MGE Energy if its common equity ratio, calculated in the manner used in the rate proceeding, is less than 55%. MGE's thirteen month rolling average common equity ratio at December 31, 2013, is 57.6% as determined under the calculation used in the rate proceeding. MGE was not restricted from paying cash dividends in 2013. Cash dividends of $25.0 million and $20.4 million were paid by MGE to MGE Energy in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The rate proceeding calculation includes as indebtedness imputed amounts for MGE's outstanding purchase power capacity payments and other PSCW adjustments, but does not include the indebtedness associated with MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus, which are consolidated into MGE's financial statements but are not direct obligations of MGE.

MGE has covenanted with the holders of its first mortgage bonds not to declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution on or purchase any shares of its common stock unless, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all such dividends and distributions and all amounts applied to such purchases, after December 31, 1945, shall not exceed the earned surplus (retained earnings) accumulated subsequent to December 31, 1945. As of December 31, 2013, approximately $305.6 million was available for the payment of dividends under this covenant.

Credit Facilities

At December 31, 2013, MGE Energy and MGE had the following aggregate bank commitments and available capacity under their credit agreements and the indicated amounts of outstanding commercial paper:

Borrowings under each credit agreement may bear interest at a rate that floats daily based upon a prime rate or at a rate fixed for a specified interest period based upon a LIBOR-based index, plus an adder. In the case of the LIBOR-based rates, the adder is based upon the senior unsecured credit rating for MGE and does not exceed 0.75%.

The agreements require the borrower to maintain a ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated total capitalization not to exceed a maximum of 65%. The ratio calculation excludes assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses included in MGE's financial statements as a result of the consolidation of VIEs, such as MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus. At December 31, 2013, the ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated total capitalization for each of MGE Energy and MGE, as calculated under the credit agreements' covenant, were 39.5% and 38.2%, respectively. See Footnote 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the credit facilities.

Capitalization Ratios

MGE Energy's capitalization ratios were as follows:

Credit Ratings

MGE Energy's and MGE's access to the capital markets, including, in the case of MGE, the commercial paper market, and their respective financing costs in those markets, may depend on the credit ratings of the entity that is accessing the capital markets.

None of MGE Energy's or MGE's borrowing is subject to default or prepayment as a result of a downgrading of credit ratings, although a downgrading of MGE's credit ratings could increase fees and interest charges under both MGE Energy's and MGE's credit agreements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments for MGE Energy and MGE

MGE Energy's and MGE's contractual obligations as of December 31, 2013, representing cash obligations that are considered to be firm commitments, are as follows: